Poor appetite
A reduced desire to eat.
Also called: Decreased appetite, Loss of appetite, Poor appetite, No appetite.
Conditions associated with poor appetite
The following conditions have been associated with poor appetite in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Angiostrongyliasis
Angiostrongyliasis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix, a medical emergency, causing pain that migrates to the lower right abdomen....
Arachnoid cyst
Arachnoid cyst is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Bronchial neuroendocrine tumor
Bronchial neuroendocrine tumor is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
CAR T cell therapy-associated cytokine release syndrome
CAR T cell therapy-associated cytokine release syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with var...
Chickenpox
A highly contagious viral infection causing an itchy, blister-like rash, most common in children....
Chronic Kidney Disease
Progressive loss of kidney function over time, often caused by diabetes and hypertension, leading to buildup o...
Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis/Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis
Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis/Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is a medical condition that may ...
Classic Hodgkin lymphoma
Classic Hodgkin lymphoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy
Congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympto...
Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency
Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms a...
Cystic Fibrosis
A genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs, leadi...
Depression
A common but serious mood disorder causing persistent sadness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep, appetit...
Distal renal tubular acidosis
Distal renal tubular acidosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Esophageal Cancer
Cancer of the esophagus, which can cause difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and unintended weight loss....
Familial Mediterranean fever
Familial Mediterranean fever is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Familial pancreatic carcinoma
Familial pancreatic carcinoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
GRFoma
GRFoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Gastritis
Inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause pain, nausea, and bloating. May be acute or chronic....
Gastroparesis
A condition in which the stomach empties too slowly, causing nausea, vomiting, bloating, and early fullness....
Glucagonoma
Glucagonoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by viruses (A, B, C), alcohol, medications, or autoimmune disea...
Hepatitis B
A viral liver infection that can be acute or chronic, transmitted through blood and bodily fluids....
Hepatitis C
A viral infection of the liver that can become chronic and cause liver damage over years. Often silent in earl...
Hepatitis delta
Hepatitis delta is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency
Hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, including Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, causing abdominal...
Kleine-Levin syndrome
Kleine-Levin syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Liver Cancer
Cancer that starts in the liver, which can cause jaundice, abdominal swelling, and weight loss....
Microscopic polyangiitis
Microscopic polyangiitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with vario...
Mumps
A contagious viral infection causing swelling of the salivary glands, fever, and muscle aches....
Ménétrier disease
Ménétrier disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Neuroendocrine neoplasm of appendix
Neuroendocrine neoplasm of appendix is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and si...
Neuroendocrine tumor of stomach
Neuroendocrine tumor of stomach is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Ovarian Cancer
Cancer of the ovaries, which often causes vague symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, and feeling full quick...
PPoma
PPoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Palmoplantar keratoderma-esophageal carcinoma syndrome
Palmoplantar keratoderma-esophageal carcinoma syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with vari...
Tests providers may use to investigate poor appetite
When investigating poor appetite, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
Albumin, Random Urine With Creatinine Ratio
Order Albumin, Random Urine with Creatinine Ratio.com online through our partner and visit a local lab near yo...
Alpha-Fetoprotein Afp Tumor Marker Test
This blood test determines Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP or a-Fetoprotein) levels....
Alt Blood Test Sgpt For Liver
This blood test measures levels of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), an enzyme in the blood, to help determine l...
Ammonia Test
This blood test is used to measure levels of ammonia to assess liver function. Symptoms of excess ammonia incl...
Basic Heart Health Panel - Lab Tests At Healthlabs
This standard 5-test panel screens general health & cardiovascular health. It is especially helpful for indivi...
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
Measures glucose, electrolytes, and kidney function markers....
Bun/Creatinine Ratio Test
The BUN/Creatinine ratio blood test is used to diagnose acute or chronic renal (kidney) disease or damage. It ...
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Heart Health Panel
This comprehensive 7-test panel screens general & cardiovascular health. It is especially helpful for individu...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Creatinine Random Urine Test
This urine test assesses creatinine levels and can be helpful in diagnosing the health and functioning of the ...
Symptoms commonly seen alongside poor appetite
Bloating
A feeling of fullness, pressure, or swelling in the abdomen, often related to gas, digestion, or fluid retenti...
Difficulty Concentrating
Trouble focusing or paying attention, which can be caused by stress, sleep problems, depression, or other cond...
Frequent Infections
Experiencing infections more often than usual, which can be a sign of immune, metabolic, or other conditions....
Frequent Urination
The need to urinate more often than usual....
Low Mood
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, which is a core symptom of depression....
Waking to Urinate at Night
The need to wake up during the night to urinate, which can disrupt sleep and may be linked to bladder, prostat...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if poor appetite is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom poor appetite mean?
Poor appetite is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. A reduced desire to eat.
Which conditions are associated with poor appetite?
Poor appetite has been reported in association with 54 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Angiostrongyliasis, Appendicitis, Arachnoid cyst, Bronchial neuroendocrine tumor, CAR T cell therapy-associated cytokine release syndrome. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about poor appetite?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.