What Does Sudden And Unexpected Loss Of Weight Suggest?

Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2015

Question: My husband is 37. He is very active and eats healthy. He has lost about 10 pounds over the last 6 months, without trying, but the 10 pounds look like 20, it was a pretty sudden change. He often has low fever, watery eyes, dry mouth, frequent urination, headaches occasionally, sometimes dizzy, has felt "disconnected' at times, etc... He also has really bad lower back pain. He has multiple obvious knots in his lower back and that are very easy to feel. About 7 months ago, he went to a doctor who did tons of tests, includning an EKG , stress test, blood tests, etc... NOthing came back. They said he may just be "stressed." Since then, we have found out we have severe mold in our walls, in our bathroom, due to a leak which we knew nothing about. And, now, we think mold may be causing a lot of this, but definitely not all. I just feel in my gut like he has something seriously wrong. Any thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Riyanka Chail (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly consult XXXXXXX regarding the following tests and a psychiatrist

Detailed Answer:
Hello Madam,
Thanks for writing in to us at hcm.
This is Dr.Riyanka and I am glad to be helping you with your query.

I understand your anxiousness and shall try my best to help you out.

Firstly your husband has been having sudden weight loss and frequent urination. so, certain tests shall be helpful:
1. Liver function tests- to detect any changes in the functioning of the liver
secondary to other chronic illness.
2. Urine analysis and microscopy- to test for any chronic urnary tract infection.
3. Prostate specific Antigen levels to screen for prostate carcinoma.
4. Quantitative Bence XXXXXXX protein test for mutliple myeloma screening - since
he has severe lower back pain.
5. An HIV testing .
6. An ultrasonography abdomen and pelvis to rule out any abdomina
pathologies.
7. A chest X ray PA view to rule out chronic infections of the chest - due to the severe molds on the walls.
Kindly consult an XXXXXXX and a PHYSICIAN regarding these tests.

Since your husband is experiencing a feeling of "disconnection" , it is very important to consult a psychiatric to rule out Depression or other anxiety disorders. In many cases of Depression and other psychological disorders people do experience severe weight loss.

I would also like to know if in the last one year there have been any drastic changes in his life that could have affected him. Also does he have any past history of chronic illness that could have happened since childhood or any family history of mental illness.

Hope this answers your query. Don't worry .
Do write back if you have any further doubts.
Get well soon
Dr.Riyanka

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