We accept Medicare & Medicaid
Serenity By A Dr. Sareen

Services

Unexplained Weight Gain Evaluation in Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach & Belle Glade, FL

Weight that climbs while your eating and activity stay the same is a real medical question, not a willpower problem. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen lists weight gain among the conditions it sees and evaluates it as part of primary care at its Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices.

We accept Medicare & Medicaid

What it involves

An evaluation for weight gain starts with the story: how much, how fast, and what else changed. Your provider checks your weight and body mass index, reviews your medicines, asks about sleep, stress, and other symptoms, and decides which blood tests, if any, would help find a cause. The purpose is to find out whether something treatable sits behind the number, not to judge it.

Who this is for

  • Adults who have gained weight without eating or drinking more than before
  • Patients who gained weight after starting or changing a medicine
  • Patients with weight gain plus tiredness, feeling cold, constipation, or hair loss
  • Patients who want a medical review before starting any weight plan

What to expect

  • Questions about how much weight you gained, how quickly, and over what period
  • A physical exam and a body mass index calculation
  • A review of every medicine you take and any other symptoms
  • A decision on which blood tests, if any, are worth ordering, and a plan for follow-up

What counts as unintentional weight gain

MedlinePlus defines unintentional weight gain as gaining weight without trying to and without eating or drinking more. It is different from the gradual gain that follows a change in food or activity, and it is the pattern that calls for a closer look at medicines, hormones, and other health conditions.

Medicines that can add weight

MedlinePlus lists several kinds of medicine that can cause weight gain. Do not stop any of them without talking to your provider first, because stopping some medicines suddenly can cause harm.

  • Birth control pills
  • Corticosteroids
  • Some medicines used to treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression
  • Some medicines used to treat diabetes

Hormone and medical causes

MedlinePlus says hormone changes or medical problems can also cause unintentional weight gain, and it names these: Blood work for unexplained weight gain can include liver and metabolic results, and the liver function tests guide explains what a liver panel looks at before you see the numbers.

  • Cushing syndrome
  • An underactive thyroid, called hypothyroidism
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy

Weight that is really fluid

Swelling from fluid trapped in the body's tissues can look and measure like weight gain. MedlinePlus says it may come from menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or certain medicines, and that rapid weight gain can be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. Swollen feet together with shortness of breath is on its list of reasons to contact a provider right away. Fluid in the legs and ankles is covered in more detail in the leg swelling evaluation guide, including the tests MedlinePlus says may be done.

Symptoms that make the visit more urgent

MedlinePlus advises contacting your provider if weight gain comes with any of these:

  • Constipation
  • Hair loss
  • Feeling cold more often than before
  • Swollen feet and shortness of breath
  • Uncontrollable hunger with palpitations, tremor, and sweating
  • Vision changes

How this differs from the weight loss pages

The practice's weight loss visits, such as weight loss and hormone therapy, start from a patient who wants to lose weight. This page is for the reverse question, where the gain itself is the symptom and the first job is to find out why. If a thyroid cause is suspected, thyroid care covers the follow-up. For what a BMI number does and does not mean, including the CDC categories, see the obesity and BMI guide. Weight that drops without any effort is the opposite problem, and the unintentional weight loss guide explains how much loss is a reason to call and what a provider asks. Breakouts that appear around the same time as other hormonal changes are described in the acne guide, which lists the hormone-related triggers MedlinePlus names.

Does Serenity By A Dr. Sareen evaluate unexplained weight gain?

Yes. Weight loss and weight gain are both on the practice's list of conditions, and weight gain is evaluated as part of primary care at the Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Call the office nearest you to book.

Does Serenity By A Dr. Sareen accept Medicare and Medicaid for unexplained weight gain evaluation?

Yes. Serenity By A Dr. Sareen accepts Medicare and Medicaid, along with major commercial insurance, at our South Florida locations. Call your nearest office and our staff will confirm your specific plan and any coverage details before scheduling your unexplained weight gain evaluation visit.

What are your office hours?

We're open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with same-day appointments and walk-ins welcome at our Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach, and Belle Glade offices. Call ahead of your visit if you'd like to confirm availability before you come in to see us.

Who is unexplained weight gain evaluation for?

Adults who have gained weight without eating or drinking more than before Our family and internal medicine team can talk through whether this fits your situation when you call to schedule a visit at one of our South Florida offices.

Which tests are used to look for causes of weight gain?

MedlinePlus says a provider performs a physical exam, calculates your body mass index, and may order blood tests, tests that measure hormone levels, and a nutritional assessment. Which of these you need depends on your history and symptoms, so your provider chooses them at the visit instead of ordering a standard set for everyone.

Will you just tell me to eat less and exercise?

Diet and activity are part of any weight conversation, and MedlinePlus lists a healthy diet and exercise program as the home care step. But the evaluation begins by looking for a medicine, hormone, or medical cause. If one is found, MedlinePlus says treatment for that underlying cause is prescribed where treatment exists.

Sources

Available at all locations

Schedule a Visit

Contact your nearest Serenity By A Dr. Sareen office to schedule a weight gain evaluation.