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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Unexplained Weight Loss Suggestive Of Pancreatic Cancer?

I am female, 72 and have been remarkably healthy. Little problems in hip area and some thinning of bone density. 6 months ago during a stressful home sale, move, etc I lost about 15 pounds. Am 5 8 , weighed between 165 - 180 all my adult life except short term weight loss. Since turning late 60s had maintained a weight of around 160-165. Anyway, dropped 15 pounds in Sep. Always had a healthy appetite and could loose weight easily with eating 1800 calories a day. I resumed my normal diet and consistently eat over 2000 calories but have not put any weight back on. Strange. The only other thing I notice is more intestinal noises (no pain). Perhaps just having less fat in belly area makes it more noticeable? I feel fine, get yearly checkups and only meds I take are for cholestral. Notice on web site that pancreatic cancer has no signs and just want to rule that potential out.
Wed, 29 Aug 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,



It is true that pancreatic cancer may cause a lot of weight loss and in the first stages it does not cause huge symptoms. On the other hand there are other more common causes for weight loss and a proper check will tell for sure which is the cause.



I would recommend you to talk with your doctor and have some blood tests done like CBC, ERS, TSH, fasting glucose, lipids, creatinine and electrolytes, ALT, AST, bilirubine and also an abdominal ultrasound.



If all the above tests come out normal then very likely stress itself is the cause of the symptoms and you will need to just monitor your weight and see your doctor again if you go on to loose weight.



Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,     

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
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Is Unexplained Weight Loss Suggestive Of Pancreatic Cancer?

Hi, It is true that pancreatic cancer may cause a lot of weight loss and in the first stages it does not cause huge symptoms. On the other hand there are other more common causes for weight loss and a proper check will tell for sure which is the cause. I would recommend you to talk with your doctor and have some blood tests done like CBC, ERS, TSH, fasting glucose, lipids, creatinine and electrolytes, ALT, AST, bilirubine and also an abdominal ultrasound. If all the above tests come out normal then very likely stress itself is the cause of the symptoms and you will need to just monitor your weight and see your doctor again if you go on to loose weight. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards,      Dr. Antoneta Zotaj