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Suggest Remedies For Swollen Feet In An Obese Patient

Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016

Question: I am severely overweight, heavier than I have ever been. 5' 11" approx. 305lbs. carrying a lot of belly fat. I know my eating habits and exercise routines need to change immediately. my big issue right now is my feet have swollen and this has come and gone before...its not going away this time and I am scared shit to be blunt. I am drinking lots of water. My fear is diabetes and I am not sure what to do. I am eating one ingredient foods, such as fruit and vegetables, yogurt , lean meat and fish. no more fried foods and very little breads., trying to exercise but I have no stamina...what else can I do?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Blood tests

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.

Swelling in the feet can be due to various reasons. Laboratory tests need to be run in order to determine the exact cause, besides seeing a physician in-person.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid) 12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

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

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 days later)

I agree and will be scheduling an appointment today to get blood work done. I am going to a walk in clinic. hopefully they will do the tests or send me to a lab... But i had someone look at my legs and they said it looked like gout....because this has happened before and gone away on its own after approximately two weeks both times...is this a possibility? and what can i try to help if it is gout? I know diet is important such as no fried foods, and healthy eating. is there way i can attach some pics?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Gout can cause swelling in the feet but it is usually around joints.

It is possible to attach pictures but you will be best served by showing the feet to a doctor because the swelling has to be touched and pressed for proper assessment.

The blood test for gout is called Serum Uric Acid. It does not require fasting and can be done at any time of the day.

Before making any diet changes, please confirm if you have an elevated uric acid level in the blood.

Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

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