HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Muscle Weakness, Headache And Shortness Of Breath?

default
Posted on Tue, 3 Oct 2017
Question: 11-year-old female who presents to her primary care physician with the following signs and symptoms:

Muscle weakness
Pale appearance of lips and gums
Anorexia
Weight loss
Poor memory
Constant headache
Shortness of breath
what is a possbile cause to this and What lab tests would you order to diagnose the 11 year old condition?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Complete blood counts, liver and kidney functions, autoimmune workup needed

Detailed Answer:
H! Welcome to HealthcareMagic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.

Based on the history you have shared, to start with, basic blood workup like complete blood count is needed to rule out anemia or condition with low hemoglobin as it can lead to such symptoms and if confirmed, it needs a detailed work up for the cause of low hemoglobin with peripheral film examination, iron levels and it's binding capacity, liver functions to look for any signs of blood breakdown, LDH and folic acid and B12 levels , alongwith keeping bone marrow in plan for later stages to look for any cause of abnormal blood production etc.

Other posibilities like endocrine should be kept in mind and thyroid profile and electrolytes and blood sugars should be monitored as well.

The autoimmune basic work up like ESR, CRP, ANA at start and ENA profile at later states may also be needed. Muscles enzymes like CPK and LDH may also be needed.

Esssential vitamin defficiencies should also be ruled out alongwith any signs of malabsorption. Anti TTG antibody alongwith folic acid, B12, iron etc like we have discussed may also be needed.

Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)
this is the next question to the case study.
Lab tests are ordered and the following results are obtained:

Serum hemoglobin: 4-5 g/microliter
Mean Corpuscular Volume: >120 microliters
Serum B12: <0.1 micrograms/mL
What is your initial diagnosis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Seems like Megalblastic Anemia

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the feedback. Like we discussed it to be the prime possibility and diagnosis of Anemia made most sense. Now on the current laboratory reports basis it is most likely megalblastic anemia due to B12 deficiency which can be wither due to low dietary intake or abnormal absorption. Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 3941 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Muscle Weakness, Headache And Shortness Of Breath?

Brief Answer: Complete blood counts, liver and kidney functions, autoimmune workup needed Detailed Answer: H! Welcome to HealthcareMagic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. Based on the history you have shared, to start with, basic blood workup like complete blood count is needed to rule out anemia or condition with low hemoglobin as it can lead to such symptoms and if confirmed, it needs a detailed work up for the cause of low hemoglobin with peripheral film examination, iron levels and it's binding capacity, liver functions to look for any signs of blood breakdown, LDH and folic acid and B12 levels , alongwith keeping bone marrow in plan for later stages to look for any cause of abnormal blood production etc. Other posibilities like endocrine should be kept in mind and thyroid profile and electrolytes and blood sugars should be monitored as well. The autoimmune basic work up like ESR, CRP, ANA at start and ENA profile at later states may also be needed. Muscles enzymes like CPK and LDH may also be needed. Esssential vitamin defficiencies should also be ruled out alongwith any signs of malabsorption. Anti TTG antibody alongwith folic acid, B12, iron etc like we have discussed may also be needed. Hope this has answered your query, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.