Weight loss due to adrenal insufficiency?

[Ebiker]

I have been steadily losing weight since a pulmonary embolism in early January. I dropped from 59 kilos to 55/54 kilos in 3 months but it levelled off. That was probably expected and OK for my height at 5ft 2".I started slow reductions of prednisone early April from 7mg to 6.5mg. I had to go up again for a short while and am now on a slow taper close to 6mg, with fatigue, hot flushes etc but pacing and getting through it.

Since April I have dropped another 4 kilos. My doctor is following up on this now when I raised concerns.

Has anyone had similar experience? I believe one can lose weight when dropping below 7mg.

Also - any ideas on how to increase weight? Many thanks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Weight loss can be a sign of adrenal insufficiency….but it should always be checked out….what has doctor done to ‘follow it up.?’

Can’t help on how to increase weight, sorry, never been an issue. But if you type in weight lose search you may get more info - and look at related posts.

[Ebiker in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. He is taking it seriously and ordered an ultrasound of ovaries and bowel as I raised concerns re ovarian cancer and bowel cancer both in my older siblings. In addition bloods to check for celiac and some cancer?Then he suggested that a chest and abdomen scan could be done....mri?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ebiker]

Oh he is taking seriously -good.

PMRpro is best suited to answer re chest/abdomen scan.

Please keep us informed. Hope it’s none of those things 🌸

[Ebiker in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks both. Will keep you informed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ebiker]

Not sure. Here they would do a CT immediately and then book an MRI. I'm a bit surprised that it isn't a 2 week referral ...

[Ebiker in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry PMRpro. I got that bit wrong I think. He said ultrasound first then CT scan, not mri. I have mentioned the weight loss a number of times to the others in the practice but this one is 'my' doctor allocated and I raised the concerns I have re ovarian cancer and requested an ultrasound. He is not necessarily ringing alarm bells.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ebiker]

Any red flag symptom should result in a 2 week referral. To make sure it doesn't end up at the bottom of the pile - especially at present.

[Ebiker in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. I will ask him next week when I see him.

[PMRCanada]

Thyroid issues can also cause weight loss. Our step dad lost 38 pounds before getting things checked out and it turned out to be directly caused from hyperthyroidism for which he then took medication and gained most of the weight back.

[Ebiker in reply to PMRCanada]

Thanks for your reply. My thyroid has in fact been checked. My doctors have been very thorough with checks because of other symptoms.

[herdysheep]

I had a fairly sudden loss of muscle mass which led to considerable weight loss. Gp ran a variety of tests but no other cause found. I am in the potential adrenal issue dose of pred but the weight has stabilised now. I hate shopping for clothes but 2 sizes less has been challenging!

[Ebiker in reply to herdysheep]

Interesting Herdysheep. Love your name. I have a Shepherd's hut instead of a summerhouse in the garden (YDNP planners) don't like summerhouses too much. I call her Herdy.I did want to have a couple of Herdwicks in our paddock...we are in Cumbria...but decided not the best idea. I love them.

Back to weight. I have lost a load of muscle and that could be a part of the problem. I have been very inactive since a pulmonary embolism in Jan.

If it would just level off now I would feel happier. I have already had to purchase new clothes too.

[CarolF1312 in reply to Ebiker]

I lost over a stone and a lot of muscle before diagnosis. I'm 5'3" and went down to 7st 4lb at lowest.I've had numerous investigations, chest xray, colonoscopy, various blood tests which have thankfully all been clear. My weight has stabilised now but find it very difficult to gain weight/ build muscle.

I'm currently stuck on 3.5mg Pred after 21/2 years .

Hope all your tests are clear.🤞

[Ebiker in reply to CarolF1312]

Thanks for replying. It is interesting to note thst most people who have had a rapid weight loss have had it before diagnosis or early in the journey.However it appears that some have it when dropping as in my case. We'll see what comes out of the tests. I feel that it will not be anything serious as all my problems seem to have happened quite recently after going below 7mg.