Resolved question:
I have gained 30 pounds in less than 6 months even though my weight has been constant for 5 years. All the weight was also gained in my mid-section. I was tested for thyroid problems/diabetes, etc...no results.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Internal Medicine Specialist
Hello,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
Weight gain of 30 pounds 6 months without any obvious cause needs evaluation. I will try my best to help you out here. I would require some additional information from you so that I can provide a solid and learned opinion.
1. Is there any change in your dietary pattern ? (Please mention even a small change, like started taking Orange Juice, started taking dinner from cafeteria etc..)
2. Have you recently stopped smoking ?
3. Are you under physical or emotional stress ? /
4. Are you on any medications ?
5. Any history of head injury, surgery ?
6. Any vision disturbances (trouble in seeing one half / double vision etc)
7. Do you get regular periods ?
8.Any increased growth of hair in the body / any change in voice ?
You can reply as a followup
Thank you
There has been no change in my diet whatsoever. I do not smoke or drink. Not under any stress. I don't take any medications. No head injury/surgery. No vision disturbances. I have never got regular periods usually 30-50 days between/missed/light periods. I do seem to have a little more hair growth on my face. I should also add that this all seemed to start after I took emergency contraception.
Hello,
One or two doses of emergency contraception is unlikely to cause this amount of weight loss. I understand that there are no major symptoms or dietary changes. This is bit tricky situation, but not an uncommon scenario.
There are two approach options here :
1. Undergo evaluation for a set of conditions (which I will mention later) that can cause weight gain. Not only limited to Thyroid and Diabetes
2. A weight loss approach that includes dietary restriction to 1500 Kcal along with moderate aerobic exercise. This is because even mild deregulation in the body homeostasis can cause weight gain. And many cases the casue could not be found. So if you do not have easy medical access you can go for a weight loss strategy.
The following evaluation are recommend as part of initial evalation
Complete Blood Count
Renal Function test *
Liver function test *
Ultrasound Abdomen and Pelvis *
FSH *
LH *
Testosterone
S.Prolactin
S.Calcium
S.Phosphorous
24 hour urinary cortisol
As you can see this is an extensive panel. If you have done some these you need not repeat. The starred ones are priority. It will be a good idea to rule our PCOD first. The starred ones help in this. You will need to get in touch with your GP for this.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you