Unexplained weight loss

[silverhawk]

I was recently diagnosed type 2 as a result of hemachromatosis. I have been doing all the right things and eatting right but keep losing weight. Has anyone heard of this?:cool: Should I go to a endo or is my internist the guy to stay with?

[sweetblood]

how is your blood sugar control?? uncontrolled blood sugar can cause weight loss...

[silverhawk]

BS seems to be in control although high in the morning around 170. Evening is around 125. Down to 137 from 195 in 6 months.

[xMenace]

Welcome to the forum.

I assume you have been eating the same amount all along. How about a tapeworm? Have you brought it to your doctor's attention?

[silverhawk]

Thanks. I'm sure you can tell I'm new at this. I never thought about a tape worm. I'll mention it to the doctor. So far he's just told me to eat more but it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm getting scared ( and thin).

[xMenace]

Thanks. I'm sure you can tell I'm new at this. I never thought about a tape worm. I'll mention it to the doctor. So far he's just told me to eat more but it doesn't seem to be helping. I'm getting scared ( and thin).

Tapeworms have other symptoms. I'm not sure weight loss is even one. Doctor hasn't investigated? No blood work of any kind?

Wrong Diagnosis dot com lists 1395 causes

Causes of Weight loss - WrongDiagnosis.com (http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/weight_loss/causes.htm)

[Old man]

I don't know of hemachromatosis but I don't think your blood sugar is really under good control yet. When first realizing I had diabetes II I changed my diet. I did not try to lose weight but radically changed to mainly a lean meat and vegetable diet. As my blood sugar level reduced to a pre-diabetic range I lost 30 pounds in about three months from 185 to 155. You did not mention your weight and I'm not asking but maybe your doing "all the right things and eating right" is the reason you are losing weight. Since you are concerned I assume you are rather lean and don't need to loose fat. If your good diet and exercise aren't causing it I don't have a clue. Good luck.

[slipperyelm]

This is definitely something to talk more with your doctor about. Did your doctor say to eat more because you have shown your doctor that you are eating less than you should, or is that only your doctor's assumption?

My only acquaintance with hemochromatosis was through basic genetics class, and that was years ago, so I remember little about it. Besides, there would have been little clinical type info in that class. But I do know that the excess iron in your system can have devastating effects on all body systems. So I would think there is a good chance that damage to organs other than your pancreas could account for the weight loss if it is not simply an issue of not taking in enough calories. Perhaps, for example, it could be due to damage to your thyroid. An endocrinologist could be helpful in addressing thyroid as well as your pancreatic/diabetic issues.

But I think you definitely need to stick with someone who knows hemochromotosis in & out, someone who knows the many things to be watching for.

Have you perhaps found an online group for hemochromotosis, too? I sure would want a support group for that. They probably would have good suggestionst about your weight loss. Plus, some of them likely would have pancreatic damage leaving them diabetic, as well.

[sparrow1]

I am no expert, but it is possible that your weight loss may not even be associated with your diabetes.

Have you talked with a hematologist or gastroenterologist? Since weight loss is one of the signs of hemochromatosis, it would make sense to talk to one of these specialists.

There is a list of recommended physicians and who specialize in hemochromatosis at
American Hemochromatosis Society (http://www.americanhs.org)
Click on the For Physicians link, top left.