Loss of Appetite?

Aleria · Post by **Aleria** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 5:09 pm

I've been really not wanting to eat much in the last week... whereas usually if I don't eat breakfast, by the time lunch hits my stomach is growling so loudly I swear my professors should hear it, lately I've been skipping breakfast, or lunch, or dinner without noticing. Sometimes two of the above - yesterday all I ate was a cheese-and-ham croissant, and I'm not even particularly hungry today. Haven't eaten yet and I've been up for two hours, ate breakfast yesterday at 11ish...

Anyway, it's a little worrying since it's gone on for a week already. My mother has a thyroid disorder and I seem to remember hypothyroidism can cause lack of appetite, but I may be wrong (and I don't know if it's hereditary or not). Anyway, I don't know what I should do? Make myself eat at regular meal times anyway? Should I go see a doctor, or wait a bit longer?

I haven't noticed too much loss of energy, but I'm starting 2-hour, 3 day a week Aikido classes next week and I want to have enough energy for that and my regular day.

gratefuldeb67 · Post by **gratefuldeb67** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 6:58 pm

Hi Aleria, good luck figuring this out. If you are going to be doing Aikido three days a week, I'm sure you will develop a little more of an appetite!

I would actually suggest to have very small meals, like a banana and some yogurt or something like that, instead of totally skipping a meal. Not that I agree with the idea that eating frequently increases our metabolism, like the "snacking is good for you" school of thought people suggest, but I do actually find that if I don't eat for a long period of time, my body starts to go into more of a shut down mode.. not so sure that's a good thing.
I also find that sitting around a lot, I don't feel hungry, but as soon as I start doing some form of real exercise, like going for a walk, I'll come back pretty hungry.

wosnes · Post by **wosnes** » Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:53 pm

I don't think a week is a very long time at all to skip a meal daily (considering I've skipped breakfast for most of my 60+ years). It could be due to stress or any one of a number of other things. Unless you don't feel well, I wouldn't worry about it.

I periodically have times when I just don't want to eat much. I'm just aware of it and I don't make myself eat. It usually goes away in a week or two.

Aleria · Post by **Aleria** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 4:32 pm

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I've had it happen when I'm not doing anything like in the summer, but when school starts, I am usually very on schedule with my meals. It's very uncharacteristic for me. This morning I almost gagged half way through my cream of wheat, and it's just a tiny little bowl

kccc · Post by **kccc** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:28 pm

gratefuldeb67 wrote:Hi Aleria, good luck figuring this out. If you are going to be doing Aikido three days a week, I'm sure you will develop a little more of an appetite!
I would actually suggest to have very small meals, like a banana and some yogurt or something like that, instead of totally skipping a meal. Not that I agree with the idea that eating frequently increases our metabolism, like the "snacking is good for you" school of thought people suggest, but I do actually find that if I don't eat for a long period of time, my body starts to go into more of a shut down mode.. not so sure that's a good thing.
I also find that sitting around a lot, I don't feel hungry, but as soon as I start doing some form of real exercise, like going for a walk, I'll come back pretty hungry.

To me, it's important to have the "meal habit." So, when I don't feel hungry, I sit down with something tiny and easy to digest (like yogurt or fruit) and tell myself firmly "This is breakfast" (or whatever the meal is).

Usually, by the next meal, I am hungry.

The reason I don't just skip is that it would be too easy to justify later excess..."Well, I didn't have breakfast, so..."

~reneew · Post by **~reneew** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:30 pm

I have hypothyroidism and believe me ~ It does not cause lack of appetite! That's my entire problem. If it did, I wouldn't be here. I'd give it a while and if you have a bunch to loose, I'd count it a blessing!!! Sometimes one meal a day is enough.

Aleria · Post by **Aleria** » Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:33 pm

~reneew wrote:I have hypothyroidism and believe me ~ It does not cause lack of appetite! That's my entire problem. If it did, I wouldn't be here. I'd give it a while and if you have a bunch to loose, I'd count it a blessing!!! Sometimes one meal a day is enough.

Good to know. I may be thinking of the other version, I can't remember XD I just know my mom's thyroid medication was too high and so she would only eat one meal a day, but she was seriously nutritionally deprived because of it. She almost had to go to the hospital for iron deficiency.