Excessive weight loss, or anorexia, is defined as any weight loss of 15 percent or more of your total body weight. Many health conditions can cause unintentional excessive weight loss, including hyperthyroidism, liver disease, cancer, malabsorption disorders and depression. Excessive weight loss may also be intentional and occur as a result of anorexia nervosa, severely restrictive diets or excessive exercise. According to the National Institutes of Health, any unexplained weight loss that exceeds 5 percent of your body weight over a period of six to 12 months requires medical attention.
Loss of Body Fat and Muscle
The most obvious sign of excessive weight loss is a reduction in body fat and muscle. In some cases, muscle loss may occur before fat loss, as the body consumes muscle to use as fuel when caloric intake is significantly reduced or stopped. When weight loss is severe, a skeletal appearance may develop and the ribs and bones may become extremely noticeable.
Skin and Hair Changes
Excessive weight loss affects the skin in several ways. The nutritional deficiencies and dehydration that accompany extreme weight loss can lead to blotchy, sagging, dry and yellowed skin. This yellowing of the skin, caused by high blood levels of carotene, is called carotenemia. Skin sagging is often pronounced when weight loss is rapid. Changes in the nails and hair may also occur. Pitting and ridging may occur on the nail beds, and the hair may begin to fall out, either gradually or in clumps.
Missed Menstrual Periods
Women who lose weight excessively may develop amenorrhea, which is the cessation of menstruation for at least three monthly cycles. Amenorrhea may result from rapid or excessive weight loss and is often one of the first signs that weight loss is out of control. According to the University of Michigan Health System, menstruation typically resumes once weight loss stops and a healthy diet is resumed.
Increase in Body Hair
Excessive weight loss often leads to hair loss on the scalp, but the condition may also cause an increase in fine hair growth on the body. This hair, called lanugo, generally develops on the torso first and functions to maintain body temperature when fat loss is significant, according to the University of Southern California.
Cardiovascular Changes
Cardiovascular changes are a potentially serious complication of excessive weight loss. Excessive weight loss can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, leading to heart arrhythmias, low blood pressure and changes in heart rate. These changes may be noticeable to the patient, or may only be discovered during a medical evaluation. The University of Southern California states that postural hypotension is a common sign of excessive weight loss that involves a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing.
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