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What Causes Drastic Weight Loss When Diagnosed With Mononucleosis?

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Posted on Sat, 10 Sep 2016
Question: Hi. I had a recent full blood test which came back positive for mononucleosis. Apparently everything else was fine. The reason was for the past few years i have felt like i am half awake at all times.. very lethargic and heavily fatigued. My glands swell and become tender in my neck quite often. This last week i have lost 3.5kg. Im not sure if due to extreme anxiety? I can be abit of a hypochondriac and my anxiety almost disables me at times. What could be causing my sudden weight loss which is extremely out of character for me. Thankyou
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Did you eat okay?

Detailed Answer:
HI and thanks for this query.

I have reviewed this information fully and 3.5Kgs in a week is too much and represents mostly water. This acute weight loss of this magnitude can only be explained by drastic changes in food and water intake and not any disease condition. Chronic diseases cause weight loss in the long run but not so much in a short time interval of a week, barely.

I will say, get the assurance and reassurance from your laboratory investigations that you are fine. Get over being hypochondriac and return to feeding well as always. This will certainly be very helpful to you.

Keep me posted on this. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 minutes later)
Thankyou for your prompt reply. i have had a sonogrophy on my neck glands 6 months ao which came back negative. i have been eating quite normal. i have not changed anything in my diet. each morning i jump on the scale the weight continues to plummet. 82kg now from 85.5 which i have imaintained that weight for a few years now. When full blood tests come back negative to anything besides epstein barr.. is that a sign there is nothing to worry about inside the body or are lab tests inconclusive and misleading? would stress anxiety or glandular fever cause weight loss?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (27 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Tests are not misleading!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.

Stress and anxiety causes weight loss because it causes reduced food intake and greater expenditures by the body because of increased calories use by the body. will say there is nothing to worry about now and you should be more relaxed and reassured about your health so as to eliminate the possibility of stress being a major player here.

I wish you well.
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. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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What Causes Drastic Weight Loss When Diagnosed With Mononucleosis?

Brief Answer: Did you eat okay? Detailed Answer: HI and thanks for this query. I have reviewed this information fully and 3.5Kgs in a week is too much and represents mostly water. This acute weight loss of this magnitude can only be explained by drastic changes in food and water intake and not any disease condition. Chronic diseases cause weight loss in the long run but not so much in a short time interval of a week, barely. I will say, get the assurance and reassurance from your laboratory investigations that you are fine. Get over being hypochondriac and return to feeding well as always. This will certainly be very helpful to you. Keep me posted on this. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.