What Causes Low Appetite And Weight Loss In An Elderly Person?

Posted on Sat, 10 Sep 2016

Question: My 89 year old father had severe prostate cancer and an abdominal aortic aneurysm when he was 75. All was treated and he's been fine, even gained weight. (He was 119 lbs and 6' tall.) In the last 1 1/2 years, he suddenly dropped 20 lbs (went from 140 to 120, but wouldn't tell me anything except that "it leveled out". He & I cared for my mother with Alzheimer's Dementia for over a year until she passed in April. Now he's losing weight again, has no appetite, says he has to force himself to eat, always fatigued (he's always had issues with sleeping, especially since he now has to get up to urinate at night 2-3 times a night - he says his PSA is super low), won't go to a doctor. He's always been thin and never had any other health problems. He's been smoking cigarettes since he was 16. I'm VERY concerned.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Needs revaluation with blood screens

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what you and your family had to go through.

Based on the history you have shared, I must admit that it is commendable the way you have been concerned about health of elders in the family and the way you had taken care of your mother and I can understand what it takes so it's indeed very caring and tender of you to able to meet all these responsibilities with such concerns and care.

Now coming back to his current health, weight loss is a matter of concern and needs to be evaluated as you had mentioned but I would suggest that basic blood work up like complete blood counts and liver and renal as well as other basic blood work up may guide further to proceed according to the derangement if any.

A detailed examination by a gediartics specialist might also be helpful. Wothout urinary symptoms recurrence of prostate issue is less likely but a urinalysis and ultrasound may also be needed even if PSA is normal.

The decreased intake can also be response for the weight loss so food supplements and vitamins replacements will also help. Also using lysine mineral complexes etc will help with appetite. Such issues are common with the elderly bit shouldn't be taken lightly and should be evaluated in time.

Wishing him a quick recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T