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What Causes Sudden Weight Loss In An Elderly Person?
Posted on
Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Answered on
Thu, 7 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I am 66 years old and have had a lot of stress lately. My good friend is dying of liver cancer and told he had 1-3 months to live.
I had been having some minor a-typical chests pains that would last a second or two and were very intermittent.
I had an ekg and chest X-ray yesterday and both are ok. I had a panel of blood work in May whatever is typical annually. CBC, etc.
I am a worrier and being a former smoker when I get certain pains like my chest my nerves takeover. I quit 20 years ago and had the equivalent of 18 pack years. I continue to beat myself up for this stupidity
Yesterday when I had my tests I was a bit surprised that my weight was 206 down from 212 in May! I have no other pains other than my chest which may be chostrocondritis or stress!! I may have slightly improved my diet intake but I do not feel like to the point I would have lost 6 lbs. in about 1 month+. I believe normally I have been in the 210-212 range. I have no other symptoms. I am very aware of symptoms almost hyper sensitive. Should I be concerned about this weight loss???
I just worry a lot when I get in these states
I had been having some minor a-typical chests pains that would last a second or two and were very intermittent.
I had an ekg and chest X-ray yesterday and both are ok. I had a panel of blood work in May whatever is typical annually. CBC, etc.
I am a worrier and being a former smoker when I get certain pains like my chest my nerves takeover. I quit 20 years ago and had the equivalent of 18 pack years. I continue to beat myself up for this stupidity
Yesterday when I had my tests I was a bit surprised that my weight was 206 down from 212 in May! I have no other pains other than my chest which may be chostrocondritis or stress!! I may have slightly improved my diet intake but I do not feel like to the point I would have lost 6 lbs. in about 1 month+. I believe normally I have been in the 210-212 range. I have no other symptoms. I am very aware of symptoms almost hyper sensitive. Should I be concerned about this weight loss???
I just worry a lot when I get in these states
Brief Answer:
this weight loss is not too concerning
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. I understand your concerns.
But the symptoms you have mentioned, even the 6 lb weight loss, are not suggestive of any serious illness or cancer.
You have quit smoking 20 years ago, so risks of lung cancer are like nonsmoker now. The pain is also not characteristic of lung cancer. Chest x-ray is normal. Too much stress can also lead to weight loss.
Overall, I don't see any pressing need to do further workup for cancer. We can again review your situation in a month, hopefully you can reduce the stress by then.
Hope this helps.
Regards
this weight loss is not too concerning
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query. I understand your concerns.
But the symptoms you have mentioned, even the 6 lb weight loss, are not suggestive of any serious illness or cancer.
You have quit smoking 20 years ago, so risks of lung cancer are like nonsmoker now. The pain is also not characteristic of lung cancer. Chest x-ray is normal. Too much stress can also lead to weight loss.
Overall, I don't see any pressing need to do further workup for cancer. We can again review your situation in a month, hopefully you can reduce the stress by then.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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