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

What Causes Weight Loss When Suffering From Pancreatitis?

Posted on Mon, 10 Nov 2014

Question: Hello Doctor -

I have recently been diagnosed a condition called chronic pancreatitis. The GI doctor did ESU few weeks back and told me that I have scars on my pancreas. He said I have early chronic pancreatitis. It is mild now.

I have been losing weight in past few months. I was 160 pounds in January 2014 and now my weight is 150 pounds. I have lost 10 pounds in 9 months.

The weight loss is my big concern right now. I heard/read person with advanced pancreatitis will lose weight. Since my pancreatitis is mild what could be the possible causes of the weight loss?

Thank you very much for your time and expert advice.

Best Regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It's due to superimposed Acute Pancreatitis.

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

Greeting from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for posting your Query .

Yes mild early Chronic Pancreatitis doesn't cause Weight loss but Chronic Pancreatitis will be associated attacks of Acute Pancreatitis . In the management of Acute Pancreatitis patient will be asked not to take any food frommouth for 2-4 days and this can cause weight loss .

So I need to know whether you had any attacks of Acute Pancreatitis and if yes how many times ?

Kindly revert back to me .
Will be looking forward for your reply .

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (21 hours later)

Hello Dr.Divakara -

Thanks for your response.

I am recently diagnosed chronic pancreatitis. My GI doctor did EUS on August 25, 2014 and told that I have chronic pancreatitis (scars on pancreas).

But, I have been losing weight gradually and progressively since January, 2014.
(I was 160 pounds in January and now 150 pounds. Lost 10 pounds so far)

I don't think I ever had an attack of Acute Pancreatitis.

I have following questions for you.

1) If I have a attack of acute pancreatitis in future, how I would know? Are there any test to determine/confirm attack of acute pancreatitis?
2) If my chronic pancreatitis is mild and never had attack of acute one, what can be possible causes of my gradual and progressive unintentional weight loss?
3) What tests you suggest to find the cause of weight loss?

Thanks again for your time and expert advice.

Best Regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Divakara (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acute pancreatitis present with pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi Kausal

Welcome back .

1. Attacks of Acute pancreatitis will present with Extreme pain Abdomen which increases on taking food. Clearly you will appreciate that as it always requires medical attention .

2. There are blood tests called Serum Amylase and Serum Lipase , the levels of which will be elevated 2-3 times the normal level in Acute Pancreatitis.

3. Your weight loss can still be due to Chronic Pancreatitis if you were having this since long time . Though it might have been diagnosed lately. But we need to evaluate for other cause of weight loss also like Liver problems, Fat or Protein malabsorption, Thyroid problems.
I advise you to get Liver function test, Serum TSH, Lipid profile and Stool for fat. And if all these test come normal get Colonoscopy.

Hope you find this information useful.

Any queries feel free to ask.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Divakara (38 hours later)

Hello Dr. Divakara -

Thanks for your response.

My GI doctor did colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy when he did EUS.
He found polyp and removed it. Only found chronic pancreatitis with these tests.

He also did Liver function test and Serum Amylase and Serum Lipase tests and they all are normal.

My family doctor has ordered Thyroid panel and I'm waiting on results.

I'm worried about malignancy or some type of systemic disease.
(I have a strong family history of cancer. Dad died of liver cancer last year. Mom had uterus cancer and grandmother had esophageal cancer)

What tests you suggests to rule out something serious?

Thanks for your time and help!

Best Regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Divakara (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Don't think of Malignancy.

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

First of all don't have that fear complex of Malignancy. Your dad , mom and grandmother had cancers at different sites .

A Whole Body PET scan will show if at all any serious problems like Malignancy is there or not but I don't think this test is needed at this point .

Let the report of Thyroid tests come , if it's normal then get Stool for fat test and also 24 hour urinary Metanephrine test done and revert back .

Don't worry and don't think something negative . BE POSITIVE.

Hope this answers your query .

Any clarification feel free to ask , if none kindly close the discussion and rate my answer.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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