Which Department

Which department should I see for difficulty losing weight?

2026-09-17 · Neutral information that names no hospital, doctor or region. No rankings, recommendations or reviews.

Short answer

Internal Medicine(내과) is generally the first department to visit when you are having difficulty losing weight, as doctors there can assess whether an underlying medical condition — such as a thyroid disorder or hormonal imbalance — may be contributing. If a specific hormonal or metabolic cause is identified, you may be referred to Endocrinology(내분비내과) for more focused evaluation. In some cases, Korean Medicine(한의원) is also considered as a complementary first-contact option.

Which department

  1. 1Internal Medicine (내과)
    Internal Medicine physicians generally serve as the starting point for evaluating unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight, as they can screen for common underlying causes such as thyroid dysfunction, insulin resistance, or other metabolic conditions. They can also review your overall health status and determine whether further specialist referral is appropriate. — First / second line: Visiting a local internal medicine clinic (의원) first is generally advisable before seeking a larger hospital. If initial screening suggests a more complex hormonal or metabolic issue, the physician may provide a referral letter (진료의뢰서) to a secondary or tertiary hospital.
  2. 2Endocrinology (내분비내과)
    Endocrinology specializes in hormonal and metabolic conditions — including thyroid disorders, diabetes, adrenal gland issues, and polycystic ovary syndrome — that are among the more common medical reasons why some individuals find it difficult to lose weight despite effort. — First / second line: In Korea, Endocrinology is generally accessed at the hospital (병원) level and is often visited after an internal medicine clinic has conducted initial tests and issued a referral. However, some larger clinics do have dedicated endocrinology departments that can be visited directly.
  3. 3Korean Medicine (한의원)
    Korean Medicine practitioners approach weight difficulty from a constitutional and functional perspective, considering factors such as digestion, circulation, and overall body balance (체질). This can be a first-contact option for individuals who prefer a traditional medical approach alongside or before conventional evaluation. — First / second line: A Korean Medicine clinic (한의원) can generally be visited directly without a referral. It is worth noting that conventional medical screening for underlying conditions is typically recommended in parallel, especially if symptoms such as fatigue or swelling accompany the difficulty losing weight.
  4. 4Psychiatry / Mental Health (정신건강의학과)
    Emotional factors, chronic stress, depression, and certain eating patterns are recognized contributors to difficulty losing weight. If psychological factors appear to be a significant part of the picture, a mental health consultation may be considered as part of a broader care approach. — First / second line: This department is generally considered when a general practitioner or internal medicine physician identifies psychological contributors during an initial evaluation, though direct visits to a clinic-level psychiatrist are also possible in Korea.

Go to the ER / call 119 if

If any of the following applies, do not choose a department — go to an emergency room or call 119 (Korea's emergency number).

  • Sudden, unexplained weight gain accompanied by severe shortness of breath or chest pain — go to the emergency room or call 119 immediately.
  • Rapidly increasing swelling of the face, limbs, or abdomen that develops over a short period.
  • Extreme fatigue combined with very low heart rate, confusion, or loss of consciousness.
  • Sudden vision changes, severe headache, or neurological symptoms accompanying weight changes.
  • Signs of a serious allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, such as throat swelling or inability to breathe.

Before your visit

  • Note when you first noticed difficulty losing weight and whether there was any identifiable change in lifestyle, diet, or stress level around that time.
  • Keep a record of any other symptoms that have appeared alongside the weight difficulty, such as fatigue, hair loss, cold intolerance, increased thirst, or mood changes.
  • Bring a list of all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking, as some can affect weight or metabolism.
  • If you have had any previous blood tests, imaging, or medical check-up results (건강검진 results are commonly available in Korea), bring those records or have them ready to share.
  • Think about your typical daily diet, sleep patterns, and physical activity level, as this information is generally useful for the consulting physician.
  • Note any family history of thyroid disease, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions, as these can be relevant background information.

General principles

Difficulty losing weight can have a wide range of underlying causes, including metabolic, hormonal, psychological, and lifestyle-related factors. Because no single cause can be assumed without evaluation, the general approach in Korea begins with a primary-care internal medicine clinic that can perform initial screening and determine whether specialist input is needed.

In the Korean healthcare system, starting at a local clinic (의원) rather than a large hospital is generally encouraged for non-emergency concerns. If test results or clinical findings suggest a condition that requires specialist care — such as a thyroid disorder managed by endocrinology — the clinic physician will typically issue a referral letter (진료의뢰서), which is required for insurance coverage at tertiary hospitals (상급종합병원); secondary hospitals (병원/종합병원) can generally be visited directly under the national health insurance (건강보험) framework without one.

Hormonal and metabolic evaluations generally involve blood tests that look at thyroid function, blood glucose, lipid levels, and sometimes adrenal or reproductive hormones. The specific tests ordered depend on the individual's symptoms and medical history, and the decision about what to check is made by the consulting physician after a clinical assessment.

Korean Medicine (한의원) operates as a parallel licensed medical system in Korea and is a recognized first-contact option. Some individuals use it alongside conventional medicine, while others begin there. Coordination between Korean Medicine and conventional medicine is possible but generally requires the patient to communicate actively between both providers.

FAQ

Should I go to a local clinic (의원) or a large hospital for difficulty losing weight?

In general, starting at a local internal medicine clinic is the typical first step in Korea, as it is more accessible and does not require a referral. A large tertiary hospital's specialist department generally requires a referral for full health insurance coverage, so initial screening at a local clinic first can be a practical and cost-effective approach.

How is difficulty losing weight different from an obesity-related concern — are they seen by different departments?

These concerns often overlap, and the same departments — particularly Internal Medicine and Endocrinology — tend to handle both. Some larger hospitals have dedicated clinics that address weight management as a multidisciplinary concern, but the entry point and evaluation process is generally similar. A consulting physician can clarify which pathway applies based on individual circumstances.

What kinds of tests are generally done when evaluating difficulty losing weight?

Blood tests examining thyroid hormones, fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and lipid panels are among the types of tests commonly considered in this context, though what is actually ordered depends on the physician's assessment of your individual situation. Some individuals in Korea have general health check-up (건강검진) results that can serve as a useful starting point for the consultation.

Does age make a difference in which department to see — for example, for children or older adults?

For children experiencing difficulty losing weight or unexpected weight changes, Pediatrics(소아청소년과) is generally the appropriate first contact, as growth and metabolic patterns differ significantly from adults. For older adults, an Internal Medicine physician can take overall health conditions and multiple medications into account, and may coordinate with relevant specialists as needed.

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This page is general medical information and does not replace diagnosis, treatment or choosing a clinic. Consult a doctor for any symptom. In an emergency, go to the ER or call 119 immediately.