Weight concerns: Good morning My son... - British Heart Fou...

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Weight concerns

Livelovelife56 profile image
24 Replies

Good morning

My son is 15 and has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and aortic root dilatation. Over the summer ive been concerned about him losing weight. He has always been slim but after a check at the end of July it was noticed but it was very slight ( April 45kg, July 44kg ) Ive just weighed him today and he is 39.9kg.

Is this something i should be worried about. Thank you

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Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56
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24 Replies
MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

There are many reasons for weight loss and I think you should arrangean appointment or talk to his GP. One reason for rapid weight loss in children/teens/young adults is the onset of Type I diabetes. Your local pharmacy should be able to do a BG (blood glucose) check. If outside the normal range it is A&E. Good luck with finding the cause.

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to MichaelJH

thank you he had a blood test in July and all was normal. I will speak to GP on Monday. Thanks take care

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

I'm just wondering how tall your son is Does he enjoy eating?

Jean

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi

In April his height was 160..9cm

He is very active and has 3 meals a day with very little snacking in between. Might have fruit or baby bel cheese. He doesnt eat crisps or sweets, no butter his choice.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to Livelovelife56

His BMI is only 15.5! He really needs to be between 50 and 65kg at his height. Do get that BG checked as from personal experience in the sixties I know Type I in young people develops in about six weeks. I need to lose 10kg but wi-fi weight transfer is yet to be invented! Joking apart I hope you find the reason.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Livelovelife56

I can only speak as a mum, but that does sound a low weight for his height. I bet you anything though, that when you mention it to the doc and tell him that your son is very active and eats three meals a day plus - the doc will say it's no problem! What does your son have for breakfast? I know young people like to eat those modern, empty calorie cereals. Could you get him to eat a bowl of porridge?

Have a private chat with your GP and see what he has to say, but I wouldn't make a big thing of it to your son, unless doc says otherwise.

Jean

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to jeanjeannie50

He has cereal Shreddies every day. He likes porridge too. Will speak to Dr asaap

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56

thank you i will

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56

No i don't think so. Will ask GP

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo

please take him to the GP. Its not good to be so slim and there are foods to help to build him up. Im 67 with a BMI of 14. I have had lots of tests but we cant find anything wrong. I eat what i want when i want but tend to eat healthy. I dont teally like "fattening" foods like potatoes.

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to Becksagogo

thank you i will. Its so hard to get gp appts but i will go down there and see if i can get him there this week. Thanks

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6 in reply to Becksagogo

I’m 67 too and concerned about weight loss. The same for me, there seems to be no obvious reason. Maybe stress ?

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo in reply to Oaks6

it could be anxiety with me. I need to see a dietician as i think my calorie intake is too low. Im on holiday on Tuesday for a week (all inclusive) so lets see whether that makes a dufference!

Oaks6 profile image
Oaks6

I’m loosing weight and there seems no obvious reason. My doctor has given me some supplements in the form of milk shakes with multiple ingredients. I know a friend who said they lost weight and their cause was stress, they gained weight back using supplements. I might be in the same position.

One thing I’m doing is recording my calorie intake, I’m using an app to record this. I believe the correct input for a male is 2,500 calories. I’m often around 2,000 ish. You have to take activity into account too. My app automatically records this too.

Definitely have a chat with your gp though and get their advice I’d say.

DanniC88 profile image
DanniC88

HI there. Not so much on the same tràck as your son but my little boy is 5, has autism and food avoidance disorder. He has these food supplement drinks that we make up with milk. They are called FoodLink. They come in a variety of flavours anand appeal to kids because they taste nice. These drinks along with food help my son gain and maintain weight. Maybe have him referred to community dietcian or Paediatrician. He's under 18 so they may do that. All the best let us know how you get on.

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to DanniC88

Good Morning

Thank you my son also has Autism and used to havs Paedisure a similar supplement when he was younger but in the last few years his appetite has been brillant. To be honest thats why im worried he is eating really well still a good rounded balanced diet and the weight is still just falling off. I hope i can get to speak to GP tomorrow.

I will certainely ask about food supplement though. X

DanniC88 profile image
DanniC88 in reply to Livelovelife56

Its so difficult I know. They haven't done any blood work on my little boy yet so I'm not sure what they would be looking for specifically. I really do hope you get things sorted. I know how worrying it is when its your child but even more so when they have autism. Her🫂

DanniC88 profile image
DanniC88 in reply to DanniC88

here for you 🫂

Boohbette17 profile image
Boohbette17

Hello Livelovelife56 - I too suspect thyroid . I tested "normal" til an endocrinologist checked for antibodies. There was the proof. Hopefully your sons doctor is willling to do that lab work . Cyber hug to you both!! 🤗🙏😊👍

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to Boohbette17

Good morning

I dont know why i didnt think about Thyroids because my eldest two (adults) have been tested and have to have yearly blood tests. I suppose with his heart conditions i have overlooked certain things. But he did have a blood test in August and there were no issues, not sure re Thyroid though. Thank you

Boohbette17 profile image
Boohbette17 in reply to Livelovelife56

You are very welcome & Good day to you!

Batty55 profile image
Batty55

Hi - please take him to GP - even if to reassure yourself he’s ok. You are obviously concerned. He should normally at his age be putting weight on.

With regard to his blood tests - July was a while ago.

All the very best to him.

Take care of yourself too.

Livelovelife56 profile image
Livelovelife56 in reply to Batty55

thank you

I will

BicuspidBloke profile image
BicuspidBloke

That is very light. I know I lost about 6 kg in a month when I was first diagnosed and that was down to stress.

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