“Should I be worried about unintentional weight loss?”
I am a 24 year old female. In the past 4 months, I have gone from approximately 12 stone to approx. 10 stone. This has been unintentional, and although in this time I moved house and started a challenging course at university, I have continued to lose weight in the past month when I have been eating more and doing less activity. In addition, despite being on the pill (rigevidon), I have been having brown vaginal discharge over the past 12 days and pain in my lower abdomen, especially at night. It has been a cramping sensation.
I do have type 1 diabetes, but this remains well-controlled and does not appear linked to these symptoms. I would just like some advice on whether to get it checked out further.
I do have type 1 diabetes, but this remains well-controlled and does not appear linked to these symptoms. I would just like some advice on whether to get it checked out further.
Female | 24 years old
Complaint duration: 4 months
Medications: Insulin, Rigevidon, Sertraline
Conditions: Type 1 diabetes
4 Answers
If your glucose control is OK and you are eating well; you should not be losing weight. If you are urinating more then the glucose control may not be as good as you expect. This needs to be checked (a home urine glucose test should answer this). If the glucose control is good then consider a thyroid condition as hyperthyroidism is more common with type 1 diabetes and can cause weight loss with increased food
Absolutely! A number of conditions can contribute to unintentional weight loss including infection, over active thyroid, malabsorption, adrenal insufficiency. As a person having type 1 Diabetes, which is usually considered an autoimmune condition, you are more likely to develop other autoimmune conditions such as those mentioned above. Additionally, you are more prone to infections. Young, intelligent, striving women are also pone to eating disorders.
Vaginal discharge suggests infection which needs immediate attention before causing more serious complications like blood infection, infertility, or kidney damage. Please get checked out urgently.
Vaginal discharge suggests infection which needs immediate attention before causing more serious complications like blood infection, infertility, or kidney damage. Please get checked out urgently.
You should definitely get it checked first by visiting primary care physician who can start the evaluation.
Marina Strizhevsky, DO
Marina Strizhevsky, DO
Hello,
Yes, I would see my primary care physician for a regular check-up. I would specifically ask for thyroid function tests. Because you have type 1 diabetes, you are at higher risk for thyroid disease. Hyperthyroidism can lead to weight loss and menstrual irregularities. Best of luck.
Yes, I would see my primary care physician for a regular check-up. I would specifically ask for thyroid function tests. Because you have type 1 diabetes, you are at higher risk for thyroid disease. Hyperthyroidism can lead to weight loss and menstrual irregularities. Best of luck.
