# I've lost 17 pounds in two months and the doctors don't know why **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 12, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965 "2009-01-12T20:01:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/41 "2009-01-17T16:53:55Z")
No real stress, except the ordinary beginning-of-the-year work things. I have been writing down everything I eat and drink, and I realize I am eating less than I think I am. Yes, I eat a lot on my days off, but only in the evenings, after having nothing but “coffee-and” all day. I often come hom from work and being too tired to make anything, heat up some soup and call it a meal. I see the metablic specialist next week, and I hope she can figure out what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/42 "2009-01-17T18:16:02Z")
> [@Madd\_Maxx](#): > > Well, if they figure it out, could you cough into a tissue and send it to me? I could really stand to lose a few pounds. I hate to come across as a shrew, but in my experience, this kind of casual naivety is partly why some serious illnesses aren’t caught sooner. A woman in our circle of friends was quite thin when we met her. We haven’t known her long, so I can’t say if she gradually lost weight or was always so slender. Hindsight being 20/20 someone should have realized that, honestly, she _shouldn’t_ have been so thin. She was a non-smoker but her lifestyle is mostly sedentary. Her diet isn’t awful, but it’s not particularly great either. She ate as much cheesecake as the rest of us. An acquaintance once said: “Laura is so lucky! She can eat and drink whatever she wants and never gain an ounce!” “Lucky” was in fact “colon cancer”. It was discovered when she felt dreadful and at the hospital was found to be so anemic that they immediately gave her two units of blood and started looking for the cause in earnest. She’d had no other symptoms, but they said the tumor had been there for quite a long while, which they thought unusual given her age and lack of any other signs. In Laura’s case, she looked healthy. People thought she was “lucky” and blessed with a high metabolism. The surgery was successful and she is perfectly fine now. She still isn’t gaining much weight, but now it’s because a chunk of her digestive tract is gone. Unexplained weight loss really should be investigated thoroughly. But don’t let the above frighten you **Annie**. Sometimes it really is just a fluke. I dropped 20 lbs when I was 26 and there was never a conclusive medical reason for it that anyone could find. My weight didn’t get back up to where it was normally was for three years. Regardless, I was given a series of tests and an ultrasound to make sure there was nothing serious. At the height of my weight loss, I had dropped to just under a hundred pounds (I’m 5’4"). In the end, the best guess was that my calorie intake was far less than what I thought it was, and my now-ex was causing me more stress than I realized. I wasn’t eating poorly; my meals were well-balanced, but I was not eating enough \ with respect to the amount per sitting \, and was probably fueled more by coffee than food. ---
**Author:** ![parsnip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parsnip/32/4564_2.png) [@parsnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parsnip)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/43 "2009-01-18T03:20:19Z")
Did your MD’s do the tests for celiac disease? I had the same problem (dropped 20 pounds while eating my regular diet) as a solidly middle aged person. Had lots of scary tests, but a colonoscopy pinned down that it was celiac. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/44 "2009-01-18T18:04:01Z")
> [@Eats\_Crayons](#): > > I hate to come across as a shrew, but in my experience, this kind of casual naivety is partly why some serious illnesses aren’t caught sooner. Geez, can’t a fat guy even make a light-hearted joke at his own expense? Laughter _is_ the best medicine.\* _Always seek a doctors care before starting on Laughter. Some side effects may include depression, weight loss, weight gain, pain in the side/cheeks, uncontrollable laughter, crying, explosive diarrhea. Laughing fits lasting more than 4 hours are not normal, if this occurs seek medical attention immediately._ ---
**Author:** ![Suse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Suse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suse)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/45 "2009-01-19T02:06:25Z")
I lost 30 pounds and didn’t realize I was sick. Kept feeling worse and worse and finally my family doctor did blood work and realized that I was anemic enough to require transfusions. The cause ended up being large tumors on each ovary. However, the tumors were benign, thank goodness, and once they were removed I began feeling normal again. (this is the short version of the story; the long version has lots of TMI) ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/46 "2009-01-19T03:44:20Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Well, I’m going to assume you got your blood sugar checked and you’re not diabetic. Cuz otherwise this sounds eerily like [my first thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=489855&highlight=diabetic) that led to [my second thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=494566&highlight=diabetic) That explains my doctors reaction last week. I went about 3 months ago and she said I was borderline diabetic. I went on a diet and lost 35 lbs. so when I returned the doc was less than pleased,apparently thinking it was a diabetes symptom. But my level was a little under 90. I couldn’t figure why she was not happy about the weight loss. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/47 "2009-01-19T17:25:29Z")
> [@Madd\_Maxx](#): > > Geez, can’t a fat guy even make a light-hearted joke at his own expense? Laughter _is_ the best medicine.\* Perhaps it wasn’t funny. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/48 "2009-01-19T18:15:46Z")
This happened to me about 4 years ago. It was subtle yet ultimately noticeable. I was already of normal weight so it showed when my jeans became baggy. People thought I was anorexic or something. Anyway, I went to the doc, got checked out, various tests etc and nothing turned up. I personally think it had to do with changing hormones. (I am now in full menopause.) I slowly gained the weight back, and now am back when I started–I just hope I don’t gain anymore! Good luck, **Annie**. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/49 "2009-02-01T01:58:13Z")
Is there an update? (Or is there another thread and I missed it?) ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/50 "2009-02-01T02:08:10Z")
> [@parsnip](#): > > Did your MD’s do the tests for celiac disease? > > I had the same problem (dropped 20 pounds while eating my regular diet) as a solidly middle aged person. Had lots of scary tests, but a colonoscopy pinned down that it was celiac. That was going to be my guess. I am not a doctor but I’ve never heard of a colonoscopy as a diagnostic procedure for celiac. More common is the upper GI scope. ---
**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/51 "2009-02-01T05:27:11Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > That was going to be my guess. I am not a doctor but I’ve never heard of a colonoscopy as a diagnostic procedure for celiac. More common is the upper GI scope. Would that be an endoscope? Because I was diagnosed with celiac by colonoscopy after an endoscopic procedure wasn’t conclusive. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/52 "2009-02-01T16:38:36Z")
> [@supergoose](#): > > Would that be an endoscope? Because I was diagnosed with celiac by colonoscopy after an endoscopic procedure wasn’t conclusive. I suppose the technical term is “Esophagogastroduodenoscopy”. At least according to Wikipedia, endoscopy is any procedure where they use the light/camera/tube type instrument, regardless of where they stick it. I used “upper GI scope” because that was reasonably accurate for a statement with the “not a doctor” disclaimer. For the celiac diagnosis via colonoscopy, do they do the same type of biopsy as the Esophagogastroduodenoscopy does in the small intestines? Are they looking for the same villi damage (is there even villi in the large intestines? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/53 "2009-02-01T19:24:29Z")
I’m sorry to be a drag, but I have to join the cancer group. “standard tests” do NOT mean you are healthy. 17 pounds in 2 months means you are very likely not healthy. You need to have a proper screening for colon cancer, girl cancers, stomach, pancreas, and lung. You should also check yoru metabolism, etc, but since the weight loss is so dramatic you can’t dick around with other things before you check properly for cancer. And any doctor who tells you that the fact that you feel ok means you ARE ok, especially when you’ve lost 17 pounds you didn’t need to lose in two months, is not a good doctor and you need more than a second opoinion, you need to change doctors. Take good care of yourself, Annie, don’t let fear make you avoid. If you do have cancer, it’s not a death sentence, especially if you get to it as fast as possible. And if you don’t have cancer, excellent! (Frankly, were I you, I would never be able to relax until I had checked, unless it was determined that I had a clear, specific, provable non-cancer disease or disorder that was guaranteed to be the cause of the weight loss.) ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/54 "2009-02-05T23:11:29Z")
Six days since I last asked. Still no update? ---
**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/55 "2009-02-06T04:55:53Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > I suppose the technical term is “Esophagogastroduodenoscopy”. At least according to Wikipedia, endoscopy is any procedure where they use the light/camera/tube type instrument, regardless of where they stick it. I used “upper GI scope” because that was reasonably accurate for a statement with the “not a doctor” disclaimer. > > For the celiac diagnosis via colonoscopy, do they do the same type of biopsy as the Esophagogastroduodenoscopy does in the small intestines? Are they looking for the same villi damage (is there even villi in the large intestines? I believe it was a down the throat procedure, though I don’t really remember. As for the colonoscopy, I can’t remember if they did a biopsy, but they were definitely looking for villi damage - the doctor said that I had the characteristic pattern. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/56 "2009-02-06T05:02:10Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Six days since I last asked. Still no update? She’s been posting. I PM’d her and asked her to come back and let us know how she’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/57 "2009-02-06T13:25:39Z")
Thanks for the PM **AuntiePam**. I didn’t realize my thread had been bumped. Near as the doctors can figure, my metabolism has gone from low normal to high normal for no apparently reason, so my daily caloric value has increased by about 700-1000 calories! The doctor’s advice was the lower my caffeine intake (as if), exercise less (ain’t gonna happen, I need to walk for my mental health) and eat more, particularly high calorie food (well, duh…). Interesting comment from **Caprese** about menopause. My weight loss starte when I was post-menopausal, which is the best explanation I have at this time. But I’ve only lost 2 more pounds, and I’m still feeling okay. Cancer has been ruled out! ETA: I want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers for my health. I love this place. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/58 "2009-02-06T17:27:21Z")
Let me get this straight, your (and you’re) menopausel symptoms are to lose weight. What are you, some kind of 1% factor of wimmen that lose weight during that hormonally insane time of your life? YAY for Cancer being ruled out! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/59 "2009-02-06T17:31:57Z")
Post-menopausal. Apparently getting rid of all those hormone flucuations has been berry, berry good to me.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965/60 "2009-02-06T17:32:48Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Post-menopausal. Apparently getting rid of all those hormone flucuations has been berry, berry good to me.😃 Lucky (edited) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-lost-17-pounds-in-two-months-and-the-doctors-dont-know-why/480965.md?page=4)