Always hungry but the scale won't budge—what gives?

I am struggling to find the right words for this without sounding ridiculous.

I don't typically have a large appetite, but this past month, I was being absolutely consumed by hunger. To be clear, this wasn't just a craving or a lack of appetite; it was actual physical pain in my stomach accompanied by intense growling. It wasn't just noise—I was genuinely starving. No matter how much I ate, it never felt like enough. Even when I managed to feel full, the sensation vanished almost immediately. I found myself eating three times more than usual. Despite all that, I haven't gained a single pound—though I haven't lost any either.
I went in for a complete blood panel and a urinalysis, and everything came back perfect.
It is worth noting that my lifestyle hasn't changed at all; my routine remains exactly the same. For about ten days, the hunger seemed to subside and things returned to normal, but then yesterday and today, it all came rushing back. I am at a loss as to what to do, as this is becoming a genuine disruption to my daily life. 👎 If I happen to find myself in a long lecture or a seminar, I already know everyone will hear my stomach. It is even making it difficult to sleep because I cannot get full enough; I am forced to go to bed hungry.
My friends suggest it might be stress-related, but that doesn't seem to track since I haven't gained any weight. Usually, when I am under pressure, I lose my appetite entirely, which inevitably leads to weight loss.
I haven't even noticed any changes in my bowel movements.

In the end, even my doctor thought the whole situation sounded somewhat absurd.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Is it truly possible for this to be psychological if there is no weight gain involved?

Gastritis hit me pretty hard at first—but honestly, I ended up gaining weight in the end.

Is sugar okay to have?

It seems like digestive issues can stem from just about anything... It isn't always just stress; you could be looking at the aftermath of a round of antibiotics, various medications, a weakened immune system, or honestly, a whole laundry list of other factors.
If you haven't already, you might want to try incorporating probiotics into your diet. These days, they are everywhere. You have everything from standard yogurt and kefir to fermented foods like sauerkraut, or even the high-potency stuff you pick up at a CVS. Personally, I tend to lean toward the capsule versions, mainly because they’re designed to shield those "good" bacteria from being neutralized by stomach acid. They aren't going to cause any harm, but they can really help bolster your immune system and support your gut health, acting as a bit of a preventative measure against future infections.
You could also look into getting a vitamin boost through plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables... Or, if you're feeling a bit lazy 😁, you can always grab some pre-made multivitamins, since there's an endless variety available at any local grocery store.

I’m a complete amateur here, but honestly... if you go pumping out products that still have gluten in them for even a short window, just watch what happens. Maybe that's where the issue lies...

Sent from my iPhone 15 using Reddit

Maria Fowler15 - Is a fasting blood glucose of 79 mg/dL with zero in my urine normal?

Andrew Peterson2 - That sounds like a good idea, though I've noticed everyone from them seems constantly hungry. Honestly, they just seem to be gaining weight—like, 30 pounds—and I can't lose an ounce myself, so clearly that isn't the solution either. 🤷

shadownomad43 - After I failed the hemoglobin test before donating blood at the Red Cross, I jumped to the conclusion that it was definitely an absorption issue. I thought my gut just couldn't take anything in, including iron, maybe because stress caused excess stomach acid that damaged my small intestine lining. But two days after getting my bloodwork done—my hemoglobin and red blood cell counts were perfect, and even my UIBC and TIBC levels were great—so there clearly isn't an issue with iron transfer or absorption. I don't have diarrhea, and my gut doesn't hurt. It only gets really critical during my period; that's when things just go completely haywire. 😵
I would rule out a serious infection as well, since my white blood cell count is fine.
Probiotics and vitamins are definitely worth trying. 👍

shadowharbor said:Maria Fowler15 - Well, a fasting blood glucose of 4.4 mmol/L and zero in the urine is...

Andrew Peterson2 - That’s a solid thought, though from what I’ve gathered, everyone seems to be starving themselves yet somehow gaining fifteen pounds while being unable to shed a single ounce, so clearly that isn't the magic fix.🤷

shadownomad43 - Since I failed the hemoglobin screening before my last blood donation, I’ve already convinced myself it’s definitely that—that my gut just can't absorb anything, not even iron. I figured maybe the stress levels have spiked so much that the excess stomach acid is actually damaging my small intestine lining. But then, two days after getting my blood work done, my hemoglobin and red blood cell counts came back perfect—even the UIBC and TIBC levels were great—so there clearly isn't an issue with transport or absorption. I don't have diarrhea, and my gut doesn't really ache. It only gets critical during my period, when my body basically stops listening to reason altogether.😵
I’d rule out a serious infection too, since my white blood cell count is totally fine.
Probiotics and vitamins are definitely worth a shot.👍

When I read Maria Fowler15's comment, I honestly just let out this massive sigh... That stuff made things so much worse for me. But hey, don't take my word for it. I’ve always had a bit of a deep-seated aversion to Big Pharma, nutritionists, and physical therapists alike.
Listen, honey, just lean heavily into probiotics and eat whatever your body is actually craving. Keep it diverse, fresh, properly cooked... just don't go overboard. And don't forget the old rule: walk a thousand steps after every meal. I don't know how old you are, but if you're still in your younger years, your metabolism is probably running at full throttle.
Just thinking back to how much I used to consume in my twenties... I was thin as a rail, and people used to stare because I looked so scrawny.
Here’s a little comparison for you: I used to be active from 6 AM to 2 PM... On my way to work, there was this local deli... Every single day, without fail, I’d wait for a massive sandwich. Then I’d get to the office smelling like an onion factory and practically counting the minutes until the cafeteria served hot lunches. I’d inhale a full portion by 10 AM. By noon, I was inevitably darting over to the convenience store for a sub—heavy on the deli ham and cheese, plus a jar of pickles. I could barely make it home to cook dinner because I’d be famished by 3 PM. In the afternoon, I’d polish off a pound of fruit like it was nothing, followed by a mountain of pastries before a heavy dinner. Snacks were a given. And all that, and I only weighed about 120 pounds at 5'8"!
If I tried to cram those kinds of portions into me today, I’d probably spontaneously combust.

Stomach acid?

What if it isn't the thyroid?