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What Causes Unexplained Weight Loss?
Question: I have lost 15 pounds over 10 months. all blood and other testing negative. What is the next steps
Brief Answer:
How is your feeding? Has anything changed? What about your stools?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this weight loss. I have reviewed your information fully and am happy to know that all investigations are negative and more comforting. The most feared cause of unexplained weightless is often cancer but this is certainly unlikely given the results of your investigations. However, the gallstones and the history of pancreatitis must have likely influenced your feedings. I am more of the fact that your feeding and digestion might have been negatively affected and this explains the weightless. I will like you to monitor your calories intake and also your stools. I will recommend you get stool testing to evaluate for poor digestion and maybe the need to supplement for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. This way, we can start making advances in understanding more about this weight loss.
I hope this is guiding enough. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
How is your feeding? Has anything changed? What about your stools?
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this weight loss. I have reviewed your information fully and am happy to know that all investigations are negative and more comforting. The most feared cause of unexplained weightless is often cancer but this is certainly unlikely given the results of your investigations. However, the gallstones and the history of pancreatitis must have likely influenced your feedings. I am more of the fact that your feeding and digestion might have been negatively affected and this explains the weightless. I will like you to monitor your calories intake and also your stools. I will recommend you get stool testing to evaluate for poor digestion and maybe the need to supplement for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. This way, we can start making advances in understanding more about this weight loss.
I hope this is guiding enough. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My eating habits and exercise has not changed in the last year since the weigh loss has started. The testing of stools was done but only for cancer and this was also negative.
Other than weight loss I feel fine. I have experienced night sweats since about the time the weight loss started. The Dr suspected the sweating might be a low level infection due to the gallstones but since the ERCP and removal of Gallstones the night sweats have returned.
My Appetite has not changed over the last year and again I have not change the amount or type of diet /eating habits. In the past, I always only ate one meal per day, dinner (no breakfast or lunch for 20 years) without any changes to weight or performance. Since my Pancreatitis and continued weight loss I am not eating 3 meals a day but continue to loose weight and it seems to be faster than before. I was averaging 135 to 140 pounds over the last 30 years. in the last year I am now down to 116 pounds and really getting thin.
The doctors at Kaiser are at a wait and see for some indication of where to look next as they are perplexed at the situation. I can change to higher protein diet but this will only mask the root cause of the issues.
Maybe not related but they also noted I have Hypothyroid levels, but I have not taken medication for this as I do fear further weight loss.
I hope this fills in more of the information and any additional advice you have would be helpful.
Other than weight loss I feel fine. I have experienced night sweats since about the time the weight loss started. The Dr suspected the sweating might be a low level infection due to the gallstones but since the ERCP and removal of Gallstones the night sweats have returned.
My Appetite has not changed over the last year and again I have not change the amount or type of diet /eating habits. In the past, I always only ate one meal per day, dinner (no breakfast or lunch for 20 years) without any changes to weight or performance. Since my Pancreatitis and continued weight loss I am not eating 3 meals a day but continue to loose weight and it seems to be faster than before. I was averaging 135 to 140 pounds over the last 30 years. in the last year I am now down to 116 pounds and really getting thin.
The doctors at Kaiser are at a wait and see for some indication of where to look next as they are perplexed at the situation. I can change to higher protein diet but this will only mask the root cause of the issues.
Maybe not related but they also noted I have Hypothyroid levels, but I have not taken medication for this as I do fear further weight loss.
I hope this fills in more of the information and any additional advice you have would be helpful.
Brief Answer:
You are sick and need more calories at minimum!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the details.
I can tell you have been sick. Though this remains to be totally addressed, all the infections and disease conditions require higher calories to compensate for increased metabolism and fight the disease process. IW ill not say eating more is masking the cause of your symptoms as not eating more may be the same cause of these symptoms. I understand your stool was tested for cancer but not fats which may signal poor digestion and absorption. Ask your doctors about this. Also, keep a count of your food intake for us to review sometime later to see if you are eating at least 2200Kcals daily.
Keep em updated and let me know what you plan on doing given the above information. Until then, I wish you well.
You are sick and need more calories at minimum!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the details.
I can tell you have been sick. Though this remains to be totally addressed, all the infections and disease conditions require higher calories to compensate for increased metabolism and fight the disease process. IW ill not say eating more is masking the cause of your symptoms as not eating more may be the same cause of these symptoms. I understand your stool was tested for cancer but not fats which may signal poor digestion and absorption. Ask your doctors about this. Also, keep a count of your food intake for us to review sometime later to see if you are eating at least 2200Kcals daily.
Keep em updated and let me know what you plan on doing given the above information. Until then, I wish you well.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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