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What Causes Loss Of Sense Of Smell, Dull Headache And Fatigue While Dieting?

Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015

Question: My friend is 65 years old. He recently started a low carb diet to help control diabetes, hypertension and being over weight. For the past few days he has had low energy, a loss of sense of smell, a low grade headache and occasional mild temperature increase. We are wondering if this is from the diet or perhaps a virus.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Viral fever

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Diet modification is not the reason for low energy. Low grade temperature with loss of energy and headache is suggestive of a viral infection, a close differential for this would be over correction of sugars. Low blood sugars can sometimes have a similar picture. I recommend you to do the following

1. Check his fasting blood sugar for 2 consecutive days.
2. Continue to give Tylenol
3. Check his temperature when he says he is feeling feverish, document a rise in temperature above 99.6 Degree F
4. If the scenario does not improve in 48 hours please take him to a GP for blood tests

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

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