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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Weight loss.. I'm scared

6 replies

Tulips45 · 24/08/2025 13:58

Hey all. I am spiralling and could do with some advice from been there parents please.

Backstory needed.
I have a 13 yeas DS on the spectrum with learning needs. He's always been super fussy with food but always eats even if it's not the healthiest choices.

He's prone to tummy bugs and anxiety induced tummy pain. However over the summer he has been eating less... Says he's hungry but then does nt eat anything or eats very little. But then will pig out on his favourite snacks.. I thought initially typical teenage stuff. He is absolutely having a growth spurt... He's all arms and legs and has size 6 feet.. I would say he's about 5.2. However in the last 3 months he has lost a LOT of weight.. he looks gaunt and skeletal. First it was his arms I noticed but in the last week it's his face and legs and now he's seen a Dr today I have seen he is skin and bone everyway. Ribs sticking out shoulder blades, cheekbones. He looks like he's been starving himself but he has nt.

He saw a Dr today because he looks very ill and had stomach pain. He vomited whilst there and has kept going all day. Dr said his stats are good and he has a tummy bug. I mentioned the weight loss and he agreed he was thin. I had already scheduled a GP appt to get him weighed but now I'm looking at blood tests which will terrify him and I'm just so worried he is really ill. As in serious illness.

He's so thin and I'm frightened.

Thank you for reading

OP posts:
wherecanifindteabags · 24/08/2025 14:01

I have no advice OP as not very clued up medically but just here to give you a handhold and say this must be so worrying for you. Sending you lots of love. Of course you’re right to get the physical side of things all checked out, but do you have any reason to consider whether it’s been purposeful on DS’ part and could be an eating disorder? Just thinking about what you said re not eating and then pigging out.

Tulips45 · 24/08/2025 15:07

Thanks for replying.

I'm not worried about eating disorders (yet) but the sudden weight loss in about three months is a big red flag for me. I've just weighed him with a neighbours scales anda just over 5 stone.

OP posts:
whatwasthatnoise · 26/08/2025 17:06

That sounds really worrying OP.
If you are getting bloods done, I would ask for him to be tested for Coeliac Disease (though he needs to eat gluten containing food a couple of times a day for 6 weeks before the blood test for an accurate result).
https://www.coeliac.org.uk/is-it-coeliac-disease/

Is it coeliac disease?

Could your child have coeliac disease? Check their symptoms with our self-assessment form & get help from Coeliac UK.

https://www.coeliac.org.uk/is-it-coeliac-disease/

Tulips45 · 02/09/2025 18:58

Thank you for your replies. Turns out he was diabetic and in DKA.

Other then the weight loss their were no symptoms.

OP posts:
wherecanifindteabags · 03/09/2025 18:10

I’m glad you’ve got answers OP. How is he feeling now?

BunnyRuddington · 04/09/2025 08:02

Tulips45 · 02/09/2025 18:58

Thank you for your replies. Turns out he was diabetic and in DKA.

Other then the weight loss their were no symptoms.

Exactly the same thing happened to my DN. No other symptoms apart from weight loss. You do have my sympathy @Tulips45

I think there is a Diabetes section on MN? Does he have a diagnosis of ARFID as well as Diabetes?

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