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Pain In Left Hand, Weight Loss. On Medication For DM And High Cholesterol. History Of ESRD In Family. Cancer Screening Required?
My husband 46 year old, was diagnosed with DM and high cholesterol just 4 months ago. He is taking Tx under a family medicine DR. his DM and pain radiating to LT hand is under control now. but he has wt lost since 1 year. Now I am worried and I would like to do some cancer screening for him. Hie sister passed away (58 year old) with diagnosis of ESRD one month ago.
Fri, 19 Jul 2013
Hi, Welcome to HCM
There are many reasons for weight loss and it will be more informative if the frequency as well as the magnitude of weight loss is known. It is difficult to say at this time with the limited information you have given. However, uncontrolled diabetes for a long period of time can also lead to weight loss. Since he was recently diagnosed it is quite possible that your husband may be suffering from diabetes for fair amount of time even before he was diagnosed. However, there are other reasons as well. If the weight loss was involuntary (not on purpose) and rapid I will advice you to inform his health care provider sooner than later.
Based on the information you have provided cancer screening is not needed solely on the history of weight loss. However, since you have mentioned that his sister died of ESRD and diabetes being a major risk factor for the development of kidney disease as well as ESRD, I will advice you to monitor his urine output (kidney function) regularly.
Hope this helps.
There are many reasons for weight loss and it will be more informative if the frequency as well as the magnitude of weight loss is known. It is difficult to say at this time with the limited information you have given. However, uncontrolled diabetes for a long period of time can also lead to weight loss. Since he was recently diagnosed it is quite possible that your husband may be suffering from diabetes for fair amount of time even before he was diagnosed. However, there are other reasons as well. If the weight loss was involuntary (not on purpose) and rapid I will advice you to inform his health care provider sooner than later.
Based on the information you have provided cancer screening is not needed solely on the history of weight loss. However, since you have mentioned that his sister died of ESRD and diabetes being a major risk factor for the development of kidney disease as well as ESRD, I will advice you to monitor his urine output (kidney function) regularly.
Hope this helps.
I find this answer helpful
Hello,
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Diabetes & high cholesterol are usually related to each other and if pain is radiating to left hand means heart involvement is there.
Weight loss may be due to some disease in pancreas as you stated in your query that diabetes diagnosed just 4 month back and weight loss is from one year.
In my opinion please get i an ULTRASOUND of abdomen with emphasis over pancreas ( this is diabetic controller in body).
Liver function test is also important.
Consult a physician and get his opinion.
Good luck.
Dr. HET
Thanks for the query to H.C.M. Forum.
Diabetes & high cholesterol are usually related to each other and if pain is radiating to left hand means heart involvement is there.
Weight loss may be due to some disease in pancreas as you stated in your query that diabetes diagnosed just 4 month back and weight loss is from one year.
In my opinion please get i an ULTRASOUND of abdomen with emphasis over pancreas ( this is diabetic controller in body).
Liver function test is also important.
Consult a physician and get his opinion.
Good luck.
Dr. HET
I find this answer helpful
Hello,
Although the most likely cause for weight loss in your husband seems to be due to uncontrolled diabetes.Although diagnosed just 4 months back,he must have had it for many many months.
However it is still a good idea for cancer screening but generally most commonly found cancers in men are found above the age of 50 years.
The most common cancers in men are prostate,lung,colon and skin.
You can ask your doctor for primary screening for them by getting a PSA test and digital rectal examination for prostate cancer,stool for occult blood,barium enema and if some doubt then going for colonoscopy and CT for colon cancer,a simple plain x-ray chest and if doubt then CT chest for lung cancers.
I hope I have given you sufficient material for discussion with your treating doctor.
Thanks
Although the most likely cause for weight loss in your husband seems to be due to uncontrolled diabetes.Although diagnosed just 4 months back,he must have had it for many many months.
However it is still a good idea for cancer screening but generally most commonly found cancers in men are found above the age of 50 years.
The most common cancers in men are prostate,lung,colon and skin.
You can ask your doctor for primary screening for them by getting a PSA test and digital rectal examination for prostate cancer,stool for occult blood,barium enema and if some doubt then going for colonoscopy and CT for colon cancer,a simple plain x-ray chest and if doubt then CT chest for lung cancers.
I hope I have given you sufficient material for discussion with your treating doctor.
Thanks
I find this answer helpful
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