Why is hubby still losing so much wei... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Why is hubby still losing so much weight?

sjc2 profile image
sjc2
14 Replies

We just got back from a week cruise, eating everything, and I thought for sure he'd gain some weight, but he still lost 1.5 lbs!! We usually gain 5-8 pounds! He's not trying to loss weight but it just keeps coming off! MO doesn't seem concerned since it appears he's within the "normal" weight range. But he's lost 11 pounds in 6 months, not trying to. He's 5' 8" and only weighs 159-160 lbs. That may not seem bad, but none of his clothes fit and he looks like skin and bones now! I just don't know if I should worry, since I know it's great he's not getting over weight. Read his bio to know what all he's been through. When his life habits and food intake hasn't changed, it just worries me! His PSA is <0.064 which on his MO's labs is as low as it goes and other labs all looked good until last ones, that showed low WBC of 3.5, Hgb 13.5 and Plat 131. His Testosterone is <10, which it has been since his Orchiectomy in Jan. 2019. Any thoughts?? THANKS!!

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14 Replies
GP24 profile image
GP24

Could be cachexia but that is unlikely with a PSA value that low.

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

ideal weight for a man 5'8" is 139-169#

Perhaps what you were used to was the problem... does he exercise?

On ADT his body shape is going to change without exercise to counter the changes.

sjc2 profile image
sjc2 in reply toScout4answers

yes, he does exercise

sjc2 profile image
sjc2

Do you mean, if he drops 10 additional pounds?

Nusch profile image
Nusch

I wouldn’t be concerned. I lost weight, too and my BMI is now 19.5. I exercise a lot. You can use the app CRONOMETER to calculate your saldo. I do this from time to time and recognised, that I use more calories daily than I eat/drink.

Tasha51 profile image
Tasha51

One must consider another medical condition causing weight loss if PCa is controlled. A CT scan of the abdomen to rule out pancreatic cancer and a Chest Xray, as well a routine blood work would be in order. No one looses weight without trying, as shown by all the obese people in the world. A visit to his internist would be helpful.

CYR7 profile image
CYR7

I am also 5ft 8 and was around 155, with my BMI just over 23. Now I dropped to 129 when my intake of a full dose of Xtandi caused me to lose my appetite completely. That was over a short period of 3-4 weeks, scary. Now reduced my intake of Xtandi to half dosage - two pills daily and my weight loss has stabilized. PSA is at a pleasing 0.006. Slowly got my appetite back and now back to 136lbs. BMI just over 20. As long as your hubby’s PSA holds, I won’t worry too much about putting weight on above 160. Ideally he should bring his BMI down to below 23.

I am 5' 8" and 140 lbs and not losing or gaining. 140 is a good weight for me I can bench press 120 lbs and military press 65 lbs so skin and bones I ain't. I like being light weight. If I gain muscle mass weight that is good but gaining fat is a no no for me. Just giving you perspective. His exercise is critical to his health!

SteveTheJ profile image
SteveTheJ

Is your husband taking any other medications such as Ozempic for diabetes? I weighed today at 175 which I haven't weighed since Carter was president ... of course that's after 2 days of not eating and being sick as a dog but still. Ozempic caused some pretty dramatic weight loss for me so it could be something like that.

sjc2 profile image
sjc2 in reply toSteveTheJ

No, nothing but meds he's been on for over 25 years. He is not diabetic and doesn't have high blood pressure. The only new med is his Nubeqa for his PC, but he's been on that since July 2021 and his weight loss didn't start till March of this year-2022. Maybe I'm just worrying too much! You think unintended weight loss + cancer = problems... in my mind at least! 😔

SteveTheJ profile image
SteveTheJ in reply tosjc2

It's an interesting puzzle then. If he has a good appetite then all is probably well. I know mine goes up and down; having access to legal cannabis in TX (which is less potent than in states where it's legal) has helped me.

sjc2 profile image
sjc2 in reply toSteveTheJ

He does have a good appetite, but we try to eat healthy.

d55eng profile image
d55eng

You may want to consider seeing an Endocrinologist to discuss checking Ferritin and Cortisol levels and verifying proper pituitary and adrenal gland function, independent of your prostate condition and treatment. I, too, am facing unintended weight loss, currently 6'1" and 163 pounds. Also, I had been on a diuretic for years for edema and blood pressure control. My cardiologist suggested I reduce the dosage by half last week and ever since, my weight has been slowly creeping upward. Best of luck to you and your husband...

sjc2 profile image
sjc2 in reply tod55eng

Previous MO (we've moved since then) did test his thyroid when it first started, but it was normal.

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