Dramatic weight loss

[slightlyinsane]

My oh and I have had a stupidly rocky patch recently. Due to this I have only seen him fully clothed and haven't had any physical contact.
The other day I gave him a hug. The shock is something I can't really describe apart from, shit!
He's lost a massive amount of weight (when pushed he thinks it's 32kg) in around 4 months looking back at photos. He could have done with loosing some but this is stupid, he's also lost muscle mass too.
He said he's changed a couple of things but in my opinion not enough to result in the huge loss.
He doesn't think he's any more stressed than he's ever been before.
What conditions can cause such a dramatic loss??
Drs appointment has been booked

[yeOldeTrout]

Being obese in the first place is the main usual cause.
Is he actually underweight now?
Did he lose weight because he was so upset he stopped eating much.

[slightlyinsane]

He's now borderline underweight, the loss doesn't seem to have evened out as you would expect after the big initial loss (if that makes sense)
He's still eating fine, slightly reduced appetite, which I'd expect with reduction in size.
He's also just told me he's shaking constantly and fallen over a few times.

[yeOldeTrout]

Does/Did he think you left him because he was fat?

[fldsmdfr]

Hyperthyroidism can make you lose weight very quickly. It basically sends your metabolism into hyperdrive, so you get fast/irregular heart beat, irritability, fatigue.

[slightlyinsane]

We're still together, I've never given him reason to believe I think he's fat and he's never been body conscious, always along the lines of "I am what I am "
I was hoping hyperthyroidism but hasn't/doesn't have any of the other symptoms

[fldsmdfr]

Well, I don't want to (and can't!) diagnose over the internet, but shaking constantly and falling over could be related to hand tremors and muscle weakness, which are both listed as symptoms?

Glad he's got a doctor's appointment lined up.

[fldsmdfr]

That post made it sound like I would be able to diagnose if it wasn't over the internet - I really can't either way , this was just what came to mind when I read your OP.

[booox]

He needs to go to the GP, I was thinking hyperthyroidism or even type 1 diabetes? A friend developed this a couple of years ago and the loss of muscle mass was striking.

[sadie9]

Do you live with him? Have you noticed any changes in his eating habits or portion sizes recently?
What are the few things he's 'changed'?
If he's consciously 'changed' things then it's him that's doing it.
If he's not doing anything that different then something else is doing it.

[slightlyinsane]

Yeah we live together. Eating the same as before at home, portion sizes have only changed in the last 2 /3 weeks and not by much.
Changes he's made are stopping drinking 3 fizzy drinks he would have and occasionally going out on bike (maybe twice a week, some weeks none) .
Fldsmdfr are you sure you aren't some magical all knowing genius that can diagnose through the stroke of computer keys?? 😉

[sadie9]

Well, 3 500mls Cokes a day would be 630 calories, the same as having another extra main course of dinner per day. So that would be a fair saving.
If he's cut out the fizzy drinks, he may have cut out other snacks and treats too.
So maybe there is nothing sinister going on. However losing 5 stone in 4 months is not sustainable as a healthy lifestyle plan!
Anyway the GP will have good advice I'm sure.

[earthmoon]

I'm glad that he made an appointment with the gp. The only health condition i could think of is type 1 diabetes as a cause of dramatic weight loss, but I don't know about the other symptoms. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenage and i remember the weight loss well but I personally didn't experince those other symptoms your husband has. I did however, have lots of other symptoms alongside the weight loss. Like never ending thirst & hunger and fatigue like no other.

[slightlyinsane]

Thyrotoxicosis, hopefully caused by hyperthyroidism although the dr could feel some lumps and bumps on his thyroid. Forced to take a tablet while he was there. He's got to go back everyday this week and we're on storm watch 😩

[booox]

((Hugs))

Do get this book from amazon, a very comprehensive guide to all things thyroid.
www.amazon.co.uk/Thyroid-Disorders-Understanding-Family-Doctor/dp/1903474191?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

And contact/ join/ look at the British thyroid foundation charity. There are volunteers to call too. An excellent source of info and they fund research.

Thyroid disorders have an element of mh difficulties too as it can actively affect anxiety levels and depression. (I wonder if this could have contributed to your rocky patch?) but just to make you aware. The BTF have some leaflets in it.

Great he's under GP care hopefully they will sort him out asap. All things thyroid can be frustratingly long to sort out completely but they can be sorted out.

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

5 stone in four months is a phenomenal rate of loss if he's made no major dietary changes, I would be urging him to see a doctor

[devilinmyshoes]

That thyroid book is great. I had thyrotoxicosis (which later became 'probable' Graves' disease, in that I have the antibodies but no eye involvement) it did come with a side helping of a tiny goitre.

[slightlyinsane]

Thanks violet I'll take a look at those.
The dr was fantastic and seriously put oh in his place when he tried to make a joke.
Know doubt he'll get a referral (any idea which department?) to investigate the nodules. The dr seemed to think they may go for the iodine treatment above medication.
After reading around some of the symptoms, irritability and mood swings, I have no doubt they are key players in our rocky patch he just wouldn't admit it before.
Ginger, yep 5 stone is shocking the gp had to repeat it numerous times to believe it.

[devilinmyshoes]

Endocrinology. And a scan, nuclear medicine.

[RockinHippy]

Folate Anaemia,

Pernicious Anaemia,

Diabetes apparently

& I'm sure theres lots more

The top 2 could cause personality changes & short temper too - could this relate to you not getting on?

My DM lost about 3 stone in a very short space of time & it turned out to be Folate anaemia


Definitely sounds like he needs to see a GP & PDQ

[RockinHippy]

He's also just told me he's shaking constantly and fallen over a few times

This definitely fits with Folate or B12 deficiency

[slightlyinsane]

Thanks devil.
Does anyone know if his immunity is affected??
Flu spray season, the last thing I want to do is put him at risk of more illness by infecting the sproglets with flu

[booox]

He could be deficient in many things on top as his metabolism is in haywire, but endocrinology will sort him out.

The mh side is tough as is adjusting to how it all affects your body. He will be weak and shaky as his muscles are just wearing away. Learning how to pace will help but also chatting to others who've been through it.

The British thyroid foundation do run meetings in some areas which could be if help.

Does he work? Work should know what's going on.

It will get better. Was he given beta blockers?

[booox]

I don't know about hyper, colds etc can be hard in hypothyroidism. It's the auto immune system that's affected however.

It's a horrible state as he will want to rest and sleep but be unable to properly. (I had too much thyroxine for a while, horrid).

I think
A supplement called carnatine (sp?) can be helpful but Id check with the GP/ hospital.

[booox]

I mean it's an auto immune disease. Maybe ask the GP tomorrow.

[slightlyinsane]

I've tried to tell him work needs to know, he's really reluctant to chat to anyone as he's just started at his new place this week 🙈. The compromise is that he checks in with me for the next couple of days before he can speak to those above him.
Immunity wise, am I best requesting the jabs for the kids so we don't have the live vaccine in the house???