Unexplained Weight Gain & Joint Pain

Unexplained weight gain and joint pain may be indicative of a serious medical condition, or can be a side effect of a medication. To determine the exact cause, consult a physician.

Identification

• To identify the cause of weight gain and joint pain, a physician may need to conduct several medical exams, including blood tests, scans and endoscopy or colonoscopy tests.

Medical Conditions

• Crohn's disease is associated with unexplained weight loss and may also cause joint pain. Other medical conditions that may cause both weight gain and joint pain include cancer, hypopituitarism, hyperprolactinemia and pituitary tumors.

Medication Side Effects

• Some prescription medications may cause side effects such as joint pain and weight gain. If you are taking a new medication, check with your doctor to see if it is causing these symptoms.

Mental Health

• In some cases, mental health issues such as depression can lead to weight gain and various types of pain, including joint pain.

Recommendations

• The National Institutes of Health recommends contacting a physician if weight gain is accompanied by vision problems, constipation, hair loss, swollen feet, difficulty breathing, extreme hunger, profuse sweating, tremors, heart palpitations and cold sensitivity. The Mayo Clinic recommends contacting a doctor if joint pain is accompanied by swelling and difficulty using the joints.