Daily Weight Fluctuations: What's Normal?

Question
I was just wondering if it is normal for one's weight to fluctuate as much as two to three pounds within a day? If I weigh myself first thing in the morning I always weigh two to three pounds less than if I weight myself later in the day. Is this normal?

Answer
Thanks for the question.  I do believe this is normal.  Most of it is explained by fluctuations in water weight, liquid intake, insensible loss through perspiration, and in the urine, but sometimes it seems hard to explain.  I would only say that I have observed this, and it does not appear to be abnormal.

Best wishes,

Kent C. Sasse, M.D., MPH, FACS, FACRS
Medical Director
International Metabolic Institute
www.iMetabolic.com