In The Past 6 Weeks I Have Lost 21 Lbs,

Brief Answer:
Further tests are recommended

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

The increased red blood cell may happen with certain lifestyle like smoking or living in high altitude or with certain medical conditions like heart and lung problems and also policitemia Vera among few other causes. Being associated with weight loss, it needs to be investigated.

The weight loss you mention is quite pronounced and normally should lead to a thorough general check and some tests and examinations.
Stress may be a cause of weight loss but is considered after a good examination is done and other physical causes are ruled out.

Some tests to consider are:
- repeat CBC to confirm the red blood count numbers
- ERS
- TSH
-Metabolic prophile
- Heart ultrasound and chest X-ray
- Good physical examination which will check for lymphnodes or other important findings

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Hair loss may be caused by the same conditions causing weight loss

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

Generally hair loss can happen if the body is going such a "stress" that is causing you to loose weight so weight loss and hear loss may be caused by the same condition.
Other than the tests mentioned above, a general age related routine check for age is needed, like breast exam, colonoscopy (if you have not had one in the last 1-2 years), Pap-smear, FOBT, etc.

Having checks to identify the cause of the other symptoms might clearly lead to the cause of the hair loss.

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.


Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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