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What Causes Sudden Weight Gain?

Posted on Fri, 12 Sep 2014

Question: I am having a weight gain of 5-7 pounds a month, nausea (not pregnant - tubes are tied), a lot of anxiety, irritable, always tired, vision problems, fuzzy heade

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (2 minutes later)

You need to have your thyroid hormone level checked.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (12 minutes later)

Thank you. Ive had it checked and it was "normal" by whatever standards the doc used. Also had hormone levels, pituitary, adrenal, etc. checked and was told everything looks normal. I also get short of breath very easily. I am 5'8" and weigh 236. Have taken Lexapro, Metformin, St Johns Wort, Gingko Biloba, serious dieting, etc. and not feeling much better. Most recently ive started itching really bad and am waitin on test results from the dermatologist. g

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possibility of a Mixed Anxiety Depression..

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your clarifications.

You have mentioned that medical tests including all hormone tests have turned out to be normal. If all possible medical conditions have been ruled out then we need to consider whether these symptoms that you are experiencing are due to anxiety or depression. In fact many of the symptoms that you have mentioned like anxiety, irritability, lack of energy, fuzzy head, etc. could point to a condition called Mixed Anxiety Depression.

Though weight loss is symptom that is more commonly seen in depression, sometimes, weight gain can also be a feature of atypical depression. There are certain anti-depressants / anti-anxiety medication like Bupropion which can help in controlling your anxiety / depressive symptoms as well as the weight gain. So, I would suggest that you consult a psychiatrist about trying these medication.

Best wishes,

Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (9 hours later)

Are my symptoms consistent with diabetes at all? I was told a couple of years ago that i was borderline diabetic.

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to have blood sugars retested.

Detailed Answer:
Some symptoms such as tiredness and fuzzy head can be seen in diabetes, but other symptoms like weight gain, anxiety, irritability, etc. are not typical of diabetes. But as you had been diagnosed to have borderline diabetes a few years ago, it would be worthwhile having your sugars retested. I would suggest that you have the following tests: Fasting blood sugar, Post prandial blood sugar and HbA1C.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E