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Suggest Treatment For Unusual Weight Loss And Weakness
Question: HELLOW DR RYNNE,
THIS IS XXXXXXX XXXX,I AM A LIC. CLINICAL ADDICTION SPECIALIST AND HAVE POOR KEY BOARD SKILLS THUS ALL CAPS.
WILL MAKE APT WITH MY PRIMARY CARE PERSON TOMORROW
REASONS FOR 15 TO 20 POUND WEIGHT LOSS OVER PAST 3-4 MONTH OTHER THAN CANCER?
NO LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN WEIGHT LOSS
NO HX DEPRESSION. APPITITE AND SLEEP UNCHANGED.
SOME LEG CRAMPS AT NIGHT BUT INFREQUENT-2 OR 3 X MONTH
BASELINE IS BODERLINE ANEMIC. BP CONTROLLED WITH BENICAR 40 MG AND MONITORED 2 X YEAR
YEARLY PHYSICAL DUE 01/01/17
PARENTS DIED IN THEIR LATE 80'S OF CANCER
BASELINE FOR FATIGUE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINR DUE TO NORMAL AGING PROCESS
LAST COLONOSCOPY 2015 WAS CLEAR
WM 73 SUCESSFUL TX HEP-C 2001 ALCOHOL DEPENDANCE-SEVERS-LAST USE 06/10/83
HX IV DRUG USE-LAST USE 06/10/83
HEAVY SMOKER-LAST TOBACCO 1984
THIS IS XXXXXXX XXXX,I AM A LIC. CLINICAL ADDICTION SPECIALIST AND HAVE POOR KEY BOARD SKILLS THUS ALL CAPS.
WILL MAKE APT WITH MY PRIMARY CARE PERSON TOMORROW
REASONS FOR 15 TO 20 POUND WEIGHT LOSS OVER PAST 3-4 MONTH OTHER THAN CANCER?
NO LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN WEIGHT LOSS
NO HX DEPRESSION. APPITITE AND SLEEP UNCHANGED.
SOME LEG CRAMPS AT NIGHT BUT INFREQUENT-2 OR 3 X MONTH
BASELINE IS BODERLINE ANEMIC. BP CONTROLLED WITH BENICAR 40 MG AND MONITORED 2 X YEAR
YEARLY PHYSICAL DUE 01/01/17
PARENTS DIED IN THEIR LATE 80'S OF CANCER
BASELINE FOR FATIGUE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINR DUE TO NORMAL AGING PROCESS
LAST COLONOSCOPY 2015 WAS CLEAR
WM 73 SUCESSFUL TX HEP-C 2001 ALCOHOL DEPENDANCE-SEVERS-LAST USE 06/10/83
HX IV DRUG USE-LAST USE 06/10/83
HEAVY SMOKER-LAST TOBACCO 1984
Brief Answer:
Please get basic blood tests done
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to HCM
A weight loss of this magnitude in such a short time period is cause for concern and going to your doctor for some tests is definitely in order such as a lung x-ray, blood tests, corrections of anemia by identifying deficiencies and discussing any changes in stress/exercise/diet.
I understand your reason for concern with your familial history of cancer and follow-up screening for such is warranted, particularly along the lines of cancer in your family.
My first thought is to test your thyroid before worrying about hypothetical cancer. You may have developed a case of hyperthyroidism that may contribute to your weight loss. Or there may be other hormonal issues that are a bit off. Your doctor can run a simple TSH and if it is less than 1 that is diagnostic of hyperthyroidism according to the XXXXXXX Thyroid Association. If TSH is low, a TRH might be ordered.
Since I do not have your height and weight history, I cannot calculate severity level of weight loss or your current BMI. For example, someone very tall losing this much weight is not as significant as someone short and thin.
Weight loss with age also happens frequently as muscle mass is lost (muscle weighs more than fat). Also, if you were not aware you were losing weight till you got on the scale, perhaps you don't realize you are eating fewer calories.
Sarcopenia also needs to be ruled out which is severe loss of both muscle and bone associated with aging and decrease in exercise. Checking vitamin D status and repleting is beneficial in this situation as well as assuring adequate dietary intake of calories and protein. Cut out all added sugars.
The last consideration is the development of diabetes which may result in rapid weight loss and fatigue. The doctor can do a fasting blood sugar and a HBA1C to make a preliminary diagnosis.
There, I hope I have summarized the potential reasons for your weight loss and please stop worrying about cancer until you have a definitive reason to worry. Start eating a healthy diet assuring you eat breakfast every day, eat vegetables/fruit, whole grains and healthy fats like from walnuts, canola oil, avocados, extra virgin olive oil.
Healthy Regards, XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN
Please get basic blood tests done
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to HCM
A weight loss of this magnitude in such a short time period is cause for concern and going to your doctor for some tests is definitely in order such as a lung x-ray, blood tests, corrections of anemia by identifying deficiencies and discussing any changes in stress/exercise/diet.
I understand your reason for concern with your familial history of cancer and follow-up screening for such is warranted, particularly along the lines of cancer in your family.
My first thought is to test your thyroid before worrying about hypothetical cancer. You may have developed a case of hyperthyroidism that may contribute to your weight loss. Or there may be other hormonal issues that are a bit off. Your doctor can run a simple TSH and if it is less than 1 that is diagnostic of hyperthyroidism according to the XXXXXXX Thyroid Association. If TSH is low, a TRH might be ordered.
Since I do not have your height and weight history, I cannot calculate severity level of weight loss or your current BMI. For example, someone very tall losing this much weight is not as significant as someone short and thin.
Weight loss with age also happens frequently as muscle mass is lost (muscle weighs more than fat). Also, if you were not aware you were losing weight till you got on the scale, perhaps you don't realize you are eating fewer calories.
Sarcopenia also needs to be ruled out which is severe loss of both muscle and bone associated with aging and decrease in exercise. Checking vitamin D status and repleting is beneficial in this situation as well as assuring adequate dietary intake of calories and protein. Cut out all added sugars.
The last consideration is the development of diabetes which may result in rapid weight loss and fatigue. The doctor can do a fasting blood sugar and a HBA1C to make a preliminary diagnosis.
There, I hope I have summarized the potential reasons for your weight loss and please stop worrying about cancer until you have a definitive reason to worry. Start eating a healthy diet assuring you eat breakfast every day, eat vegetables/fruit, whole grains and healthy fats like from walnuts, canola oil, avocados, extra virgin olive oil.
Healthy Regards, XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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