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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Rapid Weight Loss In An Individual?

The dr thinks my partner has post polio syndrome but from research I have done the symptoms have come on way too fast. He has lost a dramatic amount of weight and has gone from being in normal health to being an invalid in only 7 months. Should he be asking for a second opinion?
Mon, 12 Oct 2015
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that there are many causes of extreme weight loss in a short period of time, including cancer, metabolic disorders, malnutrition, etc.

Does he have any other symptoms beside weight loss? What do you mean by the term "invalid"?

Is he able to swallow food ?

A cancer of the gastrointenstinal system or anywhere in the body could cause this clinical scenario.

A paraneoplastic syndrome (related to a malign tumor)could also cause this symptomatology.

Motor neuron disease is another neurological disease, which leads to paralysis, difficulty swallowing and breathing and the need of intubation in a short period.

I would recommend consulting with the GP for a careful physical examination and some tests:

-chest x ray
-abdominal ultrasound
-brain CT scan
-blood tests (complete blood count, tumoral antigenes: CA19.9, CEA, CA15.3, LDH, PSA, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, thyroid hormone levels,etc )

Further tests (like total body CT scan) for possible malign tumor or brain MRI and electromyography (for possible motorneuron disease) may be needed.

Hope to have been helpful!

Best regards,
Dr. Iliri


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What Causes Rapid Weight Loss In An Individual?

Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! I understand your concern and would explain that there are many causes of extreme weight loss in a short period of time, including cancer, metabolic disorders, malnutrition, etc. Does he have any other symptoms beside weight loss? What do you mean by the term invalid ? Is he able to swallow food ? A cancer of the gastrointenstinal system or anywhere in the body could cause this clinical scenario. A paraneoplastic syndrome (related to a malign tumor)could also cause this symptomatology. Motor neuron disease is another neurological disease, which leads to paralysis, difficulty swallowing and breathing and the need of intubation in a short period. I would recommend consulting with the GP for a careful physical examination and some tests: -chest x ray -abdominal ultrasound -brain CT scan -blood tests (complete blood count, tumoral antigenes: CA19.9, CEA, CA15.3, LDH, PSA, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, thyroid hormone levels,etc ) Further tests (like total body CT scan) for possible malign tumor or brain MRI and electromyography (for possible motorneuron disease) may be needed. Hope to have been helpful! Best regards, Dr. Iliri