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Weight loss
My mom is 52 year old and is diabetic. She is gradually loosing weight. What could be th reason? All her other blood tests are normal
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Unintentional weight loss in a diabetic patient is a warning sign even if basic tests look normal.
It can happen due to uncontrolled sugars, thyroid problems, poor nutrient absorption, chronic infections, or medication effects.
Sometimes it’s age-related muscle loss or early diabetic complications that routine tests don’t pick up.
Since the weight is gradually dropping, we need a detailed look at daily sugar patterns, diet, and targeted investigations.
Once the real cause is found, the weight loss can be corrected with proper treatment.
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Can help you with the next course of action and treatment plan. Kindly consult via whatsapp at nine zero two nine six zero zero four seven zero.
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If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a free detailed discussion
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Video consult me for further details and advice.
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Is she eating as normal?
You don’t think the weight loss is from her diabetes medication?
Does she have any fevers or night sweats?
How is her mood and is there a history of depression?
If no concerns from the above 4 questions then,
Needs breast examination and a CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis.
All the best.
J G S R
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USG whole abdomen is to be done to look for any malignancy. Contact for further consultation.
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Ask anything superspecialist
Orlica120
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Heyy
I can help you better with further treatment course needed. U can connect me via whatsapp on seven zero eight two zero two two zero six two.
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Please share details of her health condition. Share meds she is taking, get kidney, liver function tests done and share results, then I can help her to heal.
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If her blood sugars are normal, there is no thyroid issue, then it could be her diet. Kindly consult with me on 94 two six 86 seven eight 96 for proper guidance and treatment.
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Uncontrolled sugars
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You can consult me directly on Practo, or reach out via WhatsApp:
Eight Seven Six Two Seven Four Nine Nine Seven Four
I’ll guide you step-by-step with easy-to-follow treatment plans.
Early consultation helps avoid complications — feel free to connect.
Only whatsapp message no calls
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Unintentional weight loss in a diabetic person is important to evaluate, but many causes are common, treatable, and not dangerous.
Let’s break it down simply.
Diabetes-related reasons
Even when routine tests look normal, diabetes itself can cause weight loss:
A. Poor glucose utilization
If her blood sugar is fluctuating or slightly high:
• The body cannot use glucose properly
• Fat and muscle start breaking down for energy
• This leads to gradual weight loss
Even a mild uncontrolled pattern can cause this.
B. Diabetic gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
Common in long-term diabetes.
Symptoms:
• Early fullness
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Bloating
Even if basic tests are normal, this can exist.
Medication-related causes
Some diabetes medicines can cause weight loss:
• Metformin
• SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin)
These reduce appetite, reduce fat absorption, or increase glucose loss in urine.
If she is on such medicines, this could explain the weight loss.
Thyroid-related causes
Sometimes routine tests are normal except the thyroid.
If she hasn’t done TSH, T3, T4, check them.
Hyperthyroidism → increased metabolism → weight loss.
Age-related muscle loss (Sarcopenia)
After age 50, many women lose:
• Muscle mass
• Appetite
• Weight
Especially if:
• Low protein intake
• Less physical activity
This is common and treatable with diet + strength exercises.
Mental health or appetite changes
• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Losing taste for food
• Poor sleep
These reduce appetite and cause gradual weight loss.
Very common in middle-aged diabetic patients.
GI conditions (even if basic tests are normal)
Some conditions may not show up on basic blood tests:
• Mild malabsorption
• Chronic gastritis / H. pylori
• IBS
• Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
These can reduce nutrient absorption → weight loss.
The more serious causes (but less likely if tests normal)
• Chronic infections
• Autoimmune disease
• Cancer
BUT: usually there are other symptoms like fatigue, fever, pain, bleeding, or abnormal reports.
Since you said all her tests are normal, these are less likely.
Next Steps
What you can do at home now
1. Add 1 protein source to each meal
• Eggs
• Paneer
• Chicken
• Dal + roti
• Curd
2. Small, frequent meals
Every 3 hours — diabetics respond well to this.
3. Add weight-gain friendly but diabetic-safe foods
• Peanut chikki
• Sprouts
• Curd + fruit
• Boiled eggs
• Roasted chana
• Oats + milk
• Makhana
4. Light walking + 10 minutes strength exercise daily
Builds muscle → improves weight naturally.
Health Tips
Weight loss in diabetic patients is common and usually treatable.
Most likely causes: poor sugar utilization, medication effect, reduced appetite, thyroid issues, or low protein intake. Serious causes are less likely if all tests are normal.
A few simple tests can identify the exact cause.
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Unintentional weight loss in a diabetic patient even when basic blood tests look “normal” is something that should never be ignored.
There are a few common possibilities:
1. Poorly controlled sugars even if fasting/post-meal appear normal on a single report
2. Thyroid issues, especially hyperthyroidism
3. Malabsorption, where the body is not absorbing nutrients properly
4. Chronic infections (urinary, dental, GI)
5. Medication-related weight loss
6. Age-related muscle loss, which often looks like weight/fat loss even when appetite is normal
7. Early diabetic complications that require a detailed review, not just routine labs
The fact that she is gradually losing weight means we need to understand her sugars throughout the day, her diet, her medications, and a few specific targeted tests not just a random panel.
Weight loss in diabetics is absolutely reversible once the root cause is identified, but that requires a proper one-to-one assessment.
If you want, I can evaluate her reports and guide you step-by-step.
You may message me privately on w.h.a.t.s.a.p.p – nine three two six zero two zero five three six for a detailed consultation.
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Need few more details for proper understanding of your issue.
You can consult with me online on Practo or whatsapp on eight three one eight four six nine eight eight six for proper diagnosis, conclusion and management
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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Dr. Akanksha
General Physician
1 yrs exp
Hamirpur
Are the blood sugar levels under control??
And is she regular on anti- diabetic medicines?
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Dr. Chethran T S
General Physician
3 yrs exp
Puducherry
Gradual weight loss in a diabetic patient can happen due to uncontrolled sugars, poor diet intake, thyroid issues, or stress. If all basic blood tests are normal, the most common reason is poorly controlled diabetes or reduced calorie intake.
Next Steps
• Check HbA1c, fasting & post-meal sugar
• Thyroid profile (TSH)
• Ensure she is eating 3 proper meals + snacks
• Review her diabetes medicines with a doctor
Health Tips
Add protein-rich foods like dal, eggs, curd, and ensure she stays hydrated. If weight continues to drop, get an in-person internal medicine review.
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Dr. Chaithra H
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Bangalore
Get sugar levels done and have a follow up
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Dr. Digvijay Vashistha
General Physician
1 yrs exp
Faridabad
If you need guidance, I’m here—feel free to book your consultation.
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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