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What Does Unexplained Weight Loss Indicate?
Question: Hello Doctors,
I have a problem related to my body changes. I was normal before last year january 2016. Since then feeling like losing weight. in beginning of this year i was weighing around 75 kg. My height is 167 cm. Later started reducing weight for no reason.I did a master health check up(lipid, liver, kidney, bone, cbc, sugar, crp, esr, urine ) in End of XXXXXXX 2016 At that time my weight is around 72.2 Kg. My sugar levels was also normal.It is 72 in fasting and 100 in PP. Only thing was my HDL chlorestorl ..i.e 31 mg/dl. All other things were normal.
I came to uk in march 2016 and here also NHS did all the test which are also normal.But in march i have lost 3 more kgs. My random sugar level was 104 mgl/dl. Since then doctors have screened me for H.pylori, celiac disease, blood stool , crp, esr and all test results are normal(latest results is in september). I got freaked out and tested for STDs, particularly HIV (7 times). This includes pcr and duo testing. All were negative. I ahven't lost weight since march .Now I am weighing 71 kg. But my clothes were loose. I am thinking i am losing weight in limbs even now but weight is not changing. I dont know if this is really a medical condition. I tested my sugar level again last week. It is staying at 115 mg/dl(Post Prandial).
I have gas problems. Doctors have told me that i am having IBS.
Kindly advice, if anything to worry about or guide me how to take this forward. As I feel , I am still losing weight in legs and arms but scale is not changing,
I have a problem related to my body changes. I was normal before last year january 2016. Since then feeling like losing weight. in beginning of this year i was weighing around 75 kg. My height is 167 cm. Later started reducing weight for no reason.I did a master health check up(lipid, liver, kidney, bone, cbc, sugar, crp, esr, urine ) in End of XXXXXXX 2016 At that time my weight is around 72.2 Kg. My sugar levels was also normal.It is 72 in fasting and 100 in PP. Only thing was my HDL chlorestorl ..i.e 31 mg/dl. All other things were normal.
I came to uk in march 2016 and here also NHS did all the test which are also normal.But in march i have lost 3 more kgs. My random sugar level was 104 mgl/dl. Since then doctors have screened me for H.pylori, celiac disease, blood stool , crp, esr and all test results are normal(latest results is in september). I got freaked out and tested for STDs, particularly HIV (7 times). This includes pcr and duo testing. All were negative. I ahven't lost weight since march .Now I am weighing 71 kg. But my clothes were loose. I am thinking i am losing weight in limbs even now but weight is not changing. I dont know if this is really a medical condition. I tested my sugar level again last week. It is staying at 115 mg/dl(Post Prandial).
I have gas problems. Doctors have told me that i am having IBS.
Kindly advice, if anything to worry about or guide me how to take this forward. As I feel , I am still losing weight in legs and arms but scale is not changing,
Brief Answer:
Try to follow symptom-based approach
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) I concern your worry towards your health. Although all your tests were negative, I feel that these tests are not necessary for you. Always look for symptoms first and then go for appropriate tests.
2) Doing tests without specific symptoms reflect anxiety also here, you had mentioned your possibility of IBS but you did not mention any symptoms related to it.
3) Lets forget about all tests, all worries and begin with symptoms first. Tell me what symptoms you have? Abdominal pain, decreased appetite, change in stool habit, blood in stool, previous episode of jaundice?
I will try best to guide you properly but for that also I need appropriate information. There is no need to be anxious because anxiety itself is a medical symptom.
Try to follow symptom-based approach
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) I concern your worry towards your health. Although all your tests were negative, I feel that these tests are not necessary for you. Always look for symptoms first and then go for appropriate tests.
2) Doing tests without specific symptoms reflect anxiety also here, you had mentioned your possibility of IBS but you did not mention any symptoms related to it.
3) Lets forget about all tests, all worries and begin with symptoms first. Tell me what symptoms you have? Abdominal pain, decreased appetite, change in stool habit, blood in stool, previous episode of jaundice?
I will try best to guide you properly but for that also I need appropriate information. There is no need to be anxious because anxiety itself is a medical symptom.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hi,
Thanks for replying. Below are my symptoms.
1. Weight loss from 75 kg to 69 kg in March2016. Not losing weight now but feeling clothes are not fit now.
2. Gas in the morning when in wake up.(Flatulence).
3. Burping even if i drink water(It is better now).
4. Going to toilet (Po)atleast 2 times a da.
5. mild pain in right Groin recurring rarely.
6. Tongue seems to be puffy. Doctor is saying it is all right.
7. Sometimes vomitting. This is also happening very occasionally.
These are all my symptoms.
note: I have high blood pressure. I am having Angizem CD90, CTD 12.5 and flaxseed oil tablets. Each one everyday
Kindly advice.
Thanks for replying. Below are my symptoms.
1. Weight loss from 75 kg to 69 kg in March2016. Not losing weight now but feeling clothes are not fit now.
2. Gas in the morning when in wake up.(Flatulence).
3. Burping even if i drink water(It is better now).
4. Going to toilet (Po)atleast 2 times a da.
5. mild pain in right Groin recurring rarely.
6. Tongue seems to be puffy. Doctor is saying it is all right.
7. Sometimes vomitting. This is also happening very occasionally.
These are all my symptoms.
note: I have high blood pressure. I am having Angizem CD90, CTD 12.5 and flaxseed oil tablets. Each one everyday
Kindly advice.
Brief Answer:
Yes symptoms are consistent with IBS
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) Yes your symptoms are consistent with IBS.
2) You should take intestinal digestive enzyme supplementation in your treatment.
3) Also you should rule out other conditions which mimic IBS i.e. chronic pancreatits or inflammatory bowel disease, dyspepsia.
4) for these, some basic tests are stool examination (routine and culture), USG abdomen, colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy (if required).
5) Improper fitment of clothes is vague indicator of weight loss. Now it is better to keep watch on weight every month.
6) About treatment - yes you should continue this treatment and must avoid oily, spicy, overcooked food.
7) If you are concerned about cancer and weight loss then there is 0% chance of having cancer in your body. weight loss is not a symptom for cancer.
Yes symptoms are consistent with IBS
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) Yes your symptoms are consistent with IBS.
2) You should take intestinal digestive enzyme supplementation in your treatment.
3) Also you should rule out other conditions which mimic IBS i.e. chronic pancreatits or inflammatory bowel disease, dyspepsia.
4) for these, some basic tests are stool examination (routine and culture), USG abdomen, colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy (if required).
5) Improper fitment of clothes is vague indicator of weight loss. Now it is better to keep watch on weight every month.
6) About treatment - yes you should continue this treatment and must avoid oily, spicy, overcooked food.
7) If you are concerned about cancer and weight loss then there is 0% chance of having cancer in your body. weight loss is not a symptom for cancer.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thanks Doctor.
My weight is remaining same from March. It is just the clothes. Especially trousers.
I was worried if that i due to lipodystrophy.
I have booked appointment with gastroentrlogist. In UK it takes three months for the appointment. I am attaching comprehensive stool analysis taken in september. Please have a look and comment.
I was worried about STI testing. Especially HIV. I have tested it for 7 Times(PCR, DUO , Rapid testings). I had my last exposures 17 months ago. It is protected sex only. Do I need to test again?
All STI Hep B, HepC, syphlis, Herpes, Chlamydia, Gonnorhea were negative.
My weight is remaining same from March. It is just the clothes. Especially trousers.
I was worried if that i due to lipodystrophy.
I have booked appointment with gastroentrlogist. In UK it takes three months for the appointment. I am attaching comprehensive stool analysis taken in september. Please have a look and comment.
I was worried about STI testing. Especially HIV. I have tested it for 7 Times(PCR, DUO , Rapid testings). I had my last exposures 17 months ago. It is protected sex only. Do I need to test again?
All STI Hep B, HepC, syphlis, Herpes, Chlamydia, Gonnorhea were negative.
Brief Answer:
Intestinal infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
1) Never repeat STD tests now
2) Stool report suggested intestinal infection. Had you taken antibiotics for that?
3) If still you had increased frequency of stool or loose stool then it is better to repeat stool examination for infection for follow up purpose.
Intestinal infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
1) Never repeat STD tests now
2) Stool report suggested intestinal infection. Had you taken antibiotics for that?
3) If still you had increased frequency of stool or loose stool then it is better to repeat stool examination for infection for follow up purpose.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hello Doctor,
Thanks again. I haven't taken any antibiotics. I am waiting for Doctor to view my report. It is a nightmare. If you can suggest me medicines it will be good.
Any reason for stopping STD test.Is my STD tests not valid because of intestinal infection or it is totally conclusive?
Thanks again. I haven't taken any antibiotics. I am waiting for Doctor to view my report. It is a nightmare. If you can suggest me medicines it will be good.
Any reason for stopping STD test.Is my STD tests not valid because of intestinal infection or it is totally conclusive?
Brief Answer:
No need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
1) Once your STD tests are negative and you do not have any symptoms then it is not necessary to do again and again just to relieve your anxiety. It will come negative again.
2) Unfortunately I can not prescribe medicine to you because of country-specific legislation in purchase of pharmacy and limitation of such online platforms. I am sorry for that. But you must mention your gastroenterologist about this stool test and your symptoms so he/she will prescribe you appropriate medicines and some necessary repeat tests.
No need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
1) Once your STD tests are negative and you do not have any symptoms then it is not necessary to do again and again just to relieve your anxiety. It will come negative again.
2) Unfortunately I can not prescribe medicine to you because of country-specific legislation in purchase of pharmacy and limitation of such online platforms. I am sorry for that. But you must mention your gastroenterologist about this stool test and your symptoms so he/she will prescribe you appropriate medicines and some necessary repeat tests.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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