1. < Digestive Health

Malnutrition possibility?

Posted by blackscarecrow @blackscarecrow, Jan 18 7:30am

M36, 5ft7,169 pounds ...

Hi all, I have a problem and a question; Lets say I have some malabsorption/malnutrition issues for the last year (still not officially diagnosed)...but those are my thoughts based on the infos i read on the internet. Sudden weight loss after blood donation (8kilos in 3 weks) , dry, pale, somewhere saggy skin, vertical nail ridges, greasy stool/diarrhea, hair falling all over body (legs,eyebrows,pubic hair), bleeding from gums, swollen tongue with white coating,sunken eyes and so on... could point towards that diagnosis...I even lost facial fat and fullness of my face like that lipoatrophied HIV positive ppl. (I dont have HIV btw). Even my sweat is smelling on ammonia indicates my body is breaking down more proteins for fuel maybe? So its either malnurishement or some of those issues like SIBO or BAM fat malabsorption or carb malabsorption + nutrient malabsorption...or Whipple's maybe? Got tested for celiacs, blood draw tTIga, negative.
Ive been eating very bad food for a quite a time, like only junk food like hot dogs and stuff like that, not too many vegetables and fruits...usually food with high calories but without nutritional value + Ive been donating blood every 3 months...is it possible that i got my body to the point of malnutrition? Cuz i even got anemic (iron deficient) dark circles around eyes, but ive managed to correct that with iron pills... Anyway...are those malnutrition symptoms? And, could malabsorption/malnutrition cause elevated cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels? Maybe from constant weight loss body is burning stored fat and regards to that i now have constantly elevated lipids? Ty

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blackscarecrow | @blackscarecrow | Jan 19 2:47pm
In reply to @debhammel "Have any of the doctors you've seen run a fecal sample test for Pancreatic Elastase? If..." + (show)
@debhammel

Have any of the doctors you've seen run a fecal sample test for Pancreatic Elastase? If not, you might want to push for one. Collecting the sample isn't fun but worth it to find out if you have low pancreatic enzymes. If yours are low, you would not be able to digest food and your symptoms - especially the greasy stools - align with what I know of this condition. I was diagnosed after sudden onset of diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue after a bout of food poisoning. Stool samples were taken and along with a diagnosis of microscopic colitis, it was found I had severely low pancreatic enzymes (34 - normal level is 200. I started Creon in November and it has been a total game changer.

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Ill try. It could be. But, isnt there blood test for that?

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1 reply
slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Jan 19 4:16pm

I agree totally with the last post about getting the pancreatic elastase stool test. Deficiency of the pancreatic enzymes cause malabsorption, greasy stool, diarrhea, weight loss and prevents you from digesting fats, so fat soluble vitamins are deficient too. These can be measured in serum. A gastroenterologist would order this test or your pcp if familiar with this condition which is not terribly common. It’s treated by taking pancreatic enzymes with meals. I have this condition so recognize your symptoms.

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2 replies
debhammel | @debhammel | Jan 19 6:32pm
In reply to @blackscarecrow "Ill try. It could be. But, isnt there blood test for that?" + (show)
@blackscarecrow

Ill try. It could be. But, isnt there blood test for that?

Jump to this post

Looks like @slkanowitz is aware there's a blood test - that's a whole lot easier than collecting a stool sample IMHO 🙂

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2 replies
hikeema123 | @hikeema123 | Jan 20 7:01am

Good morning I don't know will help but I have lost over Seventy pounds in past four years went to several gastrointolgist no complete answers one doctor says a non MOTILITY disorder ok how do we fix that the other says GERD and stress is my issue and a pulmonologist says I have chronic lung disease and GERD no I need advice on how to get my stomach back to normal after putting food on it after not eating because of severe I guess GERD always feels like something is stuck in my throat I manually regurgitate to bring the food up to remove the feeling of being stuck and stop the burping which is a nerve wracker. I lost all hope. But since The Lord Almighty wakes me up every day it must be for a reason. I just want my quality of life back I'm sick and tired of looking like a damn crackhead I want to eat and want it to stay down so I can my weight again. Please help if anyone can. Now I'm taking Albuterol and the nebulizer and another inhaler hope it helps with the lump in my throat so I can eat again 😭😭😭 😔. Desperate need answers and help.!!

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irr4et | @irr4et | Jan 22 12:08am
In reply to @slkanowitz "I agree totally with the last post about getting the pancreatic elastase stool test. Deficiency of..." + (show)
@slkanowitz

I agree totally with the last post about getting the pancreatic elastase stool test. Deficiency of the pancreatic enzymes cause malabsorption, greasy stool, diarrhea, weight loss and prevents you from digesting fats, so fat soluble vitamins are deficient too. These can be measured in serum. A gastroenterologist would order this test or your pcp if familiar with this condition which is not terribly common. It’s treated by taking pancreatic enzymes with meals. I have this condition so recognize your symptoms.

Jump to this post

I have it also and my GI did that test. I was very deficient in Pancreatic enzyme so she put me on Pertze digestive enzymes and HCL. Pertze is a prescription my insurance co does not cover and it is expensive out of pocket unfortunately.

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blackscarecrow | @blackscarecrow | Jan 22 10:15am
In reply to @slkanowitz "I agree totally with the last post about getting the pancreatic elastase stool test. Deficiency of..." + (show)
@slkanowitz

I agree totally with the last post about getting the pancreatic elastase stool test. Deficiency of the pancreatic enzymes cause malabsorption, greasy stool, diarrhea, weight loss and prevents you from digesting fats, so fat soluble vitamins are deficient too. These can be measured in serum. A gastroenterologist would order this test or your pcp if familiar with this condition which is not terribly common. It’s treated by taking pancreatic enzymes with meals. I have this condition so recognize your symptoms.

Jump to this post

Could I have only EPI? Or it always comes with some other disease like Celiacs,IBS or something?

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1 reply
slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Jan 22 12:12pm

Yes EPI can exist alone. Once it is treated, if you have residual GI symptoms then you have to look further. But this could be the only thing causing your trouble.

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2 replies
slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Jan 22 12:16pm
In reply to @debhammel "Looks like @slkanowitz is aware there's a blood test - that's a whole lot easier than..." + (show)
@debhammel

Looks like @slkanowitz is aware there's a blood test - that's a whole lot easier than collecting a stool sample IMHO 🙂

Jump to this post

The blood tests I mentioned are for fat soluble vitamin deficiencies (ADEK) not for the EPI. Have to do the stool test for that, and correct any vitamin deficiencies.

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slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Jan 22 12:25pm

When you get the stool test for pancreatic insufficiency the test for bile acid malabsorption should be done too. With your significant weight and hair loss you should also be checked for overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and diabetes. I hope you get this figured out soon!

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2 replies
blackscarecrow | @blackscarecrow | Jan 22 12:43pm
In reply to @slkanowitz "Yes EPI can exist alone. Once it is treated, if you have residual GI symptoms then..." + (show)
@slkanowitz

Yes EPI can exist alone. Once it is treated, if you have residual GI symptoms then you have to look further. But this could be the only thing causing your trouble.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. You are very kind. I wish u all the best. Ill post here when i get any info further

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