LauraGB Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Help me think this through, please. What could be causing weight loss if one is already underweight for a "small frame" (even if that "frame" description may or may not be accurate), eats like a pig (lots of cheese and fats and bread, 3 meals and some snacks daily), has no presenting psychological issues causing appetite loss, doesn't purposely exercise, isn't unusually tired and otherwise feels fine, has regular bowel movements, and last physical showed everything was A-okay? I'm stumped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Insulin and/or glucose issues would be one possibility that comes to mind. This seems to happen to me occasionally as I get older and need more modification of my diet. This was true for my dad too - a thin type 2 diabetic, he would lose weight when things were not under good control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Insulin and/or glucose issues would be one possibility that comes to mind. Too high or too low? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Too high or too low? Either/both. With insulin resistance, cells require more insulin to get the same amount of glucose into cells that was previously handled with less insulin. I'd characterize it as a lack of control, I guess. Blood glucose levels might still be "normal" if a person is insulin-resistant but isn't a type 2 diabetic yet (in such case, a person may become a type 2 diabetic when the pancreas can't keep up with the ever-increasing demands for insulin and blood sugar goes higher). I don't know if I can explain it all properly. I'd particularly consider this angle if you have family history of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Tons of things can cause weight loss. An evaluation for unexplained weight loss would include a more thorough history and physical exam, and more extensive lab tests than you would have had at a routine physical exam. It's definitely worth a trip to the doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 malabsorption. I'd definitely seek out a good gastro-intestinal specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ria Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 See a doctor. Woman can experience weight fluctuations as part of their normal cycle...for example, I routinely am within a 5-lb range, depending on the time of the month....but an overall continuing weight loss, especially at your age (like you, I have kids over the age of 10, so I'm not calling you old or anything) should be investigated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RahRah Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 If this is a child with unexplained weight loss, I'd seek medical attention to screen for type I diabetes first. If that's negative, the doctor can screen for malabsorption issues, including celiac and enzyme deficiencies, etc. If it's an adult, late onset type I is still a possibility, it's rare, but adults can be diagnosed with type I diabetes. Also, cancers often present with weight loss with no reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Hyperthyroidism? I think it's more common in females. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Help me think this through, please. What could be causing weight loss if one is already underweight for a "small frame" (even if that "frame" description may or may not be accurate), eats like a pig (lots of cheese and fats and bread, 3 meals and some snacks daily), has no presenting psychological issues causing appetite loss, doesn't purposely exercise, isn't unusually tired and otherwise feels fine, has regular bowel movements, and last physical showed everything was A-okay? I'm stumped. was the thyroid checked at the last physical? I don't think it's checked unless there is a reason to check it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted August 3, 2011 Author Share Posted August 3, 2011 was the thyroid checked at the last physical? I don't think it's checked unless there is a reason to check it. Yes it was checked and everything was within normal range. But it wasn't checked beyond the normal testing (no in depth special testing was done). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiCO Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Help me think this through, please. What could be causing weight loss if one is already underweight for a "small frame" (even if that "frame" description may or may not be accurate), eats like a pig (lots of cheese and fats and bread, 3 meals and some snacks daily), has no presenting psychological issues causing appetite loss, doesn't purposely exercise, isn't unusually tired and otherwise feels fine, has regular bowel movements, and last physical showed everything was A-okay? I'm stumped. Were blood tests given? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 My first thought was celiac. Have you had a CBC? My unexplained weight loss was from leukemia, but it's diagnosed via a CBC, so if you've already had one and your blood counts were normal, that wouldn't be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Yes, you should get bloodwork done, just to make sure everything is ok :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 :)Thanks so much for the info, guys . There were blood tests done a while ago, but I don't think they were specifically looking for anything at the time, and all of them turned out fine (except for a Vitamin D deficiency). Possibly some more specific ones need to be taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyeska Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Intestinal parasites was my first thought. Grapefruit seed extract will erradicate parasites. And if you put it into citrus juice, it isn't bitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLBMom Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 My first thought was thyroid. I have hyperthyroid and they found out because I lost 15 lbs in two months while eating more then my husband. How are you sleeping? Any change in personality at all? (irritability, depression, anxiety) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmama Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Hyperthyroidism? I think it's more common in females. was the thyroid checked at the last physical? I don't think it's checked unless there is a reason to check it. Yes it was checked and everything was within normal range. But it wasn't checked beyond the normal testing (no in depth special testing was done). Depending on what tests were run, thyroid problems can not show up on the test when they are there. I went undiagnosed for 15 years with Grave's Disease {hyperthyroid} because they didn't run the right tests to find it. If they only ran TSH and not free t3 and free t4, the test is useless. My first thought was thyroid. I have hyperthyroid and they found out because I lost 15 lbs in two months while eating more then my husband. How are you sleeping? Any change in personality at all? (irritability, depression, anxiety) Ditto :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 Just want to point out that this post was resurrected by spam. Reported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alicai Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 I just wanted to add my two cents that you screen for Type 1 Diabetes. My daughter has it, and before she was diagnosed, she was eating and drinking voraciously while losing weight. They can check his blood sugar with a simple finger poke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted February 4, 2012 Share Posted February 4, 2012 Simple stress. I lost 30 lbs when my mother passed away and it took two years to regain my normal weight. Now I am taking a med that has caused me to gain 20 lbs in two months.Weight is easily influenced by so many different factors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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