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What Causes Unintentional Weight Loss?

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Posted on Tue, 12 Jul 2016
Question: Hello,

My father is 69 years old, height approx 5.2 feets and weight is 52 kg. He is loosing body mass day by day.
Kindly suggest the dietary plan and any medications required, if any.

Many thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Needs evaluation.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern.
Dear XXXX, I am glad to see your concern for your father.
I must mention here that at this age if a person is loosing weight we need to evaluate the possible causes. If we are able to find out the causes we can treat him easily.
The most common causes of weight loss at this age are Diabetes, thyroid disorders, anemia , Liver diseases, cancer.
Don't get panic when I say cancer. It's one of the causes at this age.
So my recommendations would be to get his following basic investigations done:
1. Complete blood count.
2. Liver and Kidney function test
3. Fasting blood sugar
4. Thyroid profile.
5. Urine examination
6. Stool for occult blood
7. Chest X-ray and ECG.

Based on these reports we can decide which medicine he require and any particular treatment if needed.

So, it's important to get these tests done and also to measure and chart his weight every week.

I hope it helps you.
If you have any further query, please ask me.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

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

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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What Causes Unintentional Weight Loss?

Brief Answer: Needs evaluation. Detailed Answer: Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I understand your concern. Dear XXXX, I am glad to see your concern for your father. I must mention here that at this age if a person is loosing weight we need to evaluate the possible causes. If we are able to find out the causes we can treat him easily. The most common causes of weight loss at this age are Diabetes, thyroid disorders, anemia , Liver diseases, cancer. Don't get panic when I say cancer. It's one of the causes at this age. So my recommendations would be to get his following basic investigations done: 1. Complete blood count. 2. Liver and Kidney function test 3. Fasting blood sugar 4. Thyroid profile. 5. Urine examination 6. Stool for occult blood 7. Chest X-ray and ECG. Based on these reports we can decide which medicine he require and any particular treatment if needed. So, it's important to get these tests done and also to measure and chart his weight every week. I hope it helps you. If you have any further query, please ask me.