One of the symptoms of tuberculosis is anorexia or loss of appetite which often cause a loss in body weight with a concomitant decrease in body fat which was noticeable in the present subjects. The decrease in energy intake might be due to less food intake or improper and or imbalanced diet.

Why there is loss of appetite in tuberculosis?

Leptin, the 16-kDa product of the ob-gene, may be involved in this cross-regulation between nutritional status and the immune response in tuberculosis. Leptin is produced by adipocytes and binds to specific receptors in the hypothalamus, from which it suppresses appetite (5).

Does TB reduce appetite?

Tuberculosis (TB), in addition to causing symptoms such as coughing and fever, often results in significant weight loss and lack of appetite. In one study, more than 40% of Los Angeles residents with TB experienced a lack of appetite and more than 44% lost weight.