HELP-Think I'm REALLY SICK

[kellysmum]

I am a 48-year-old female in what I thought was okay health.  I weighed 205 pounds in June, 2012.  I now weigh 133.  I did diet some, but not to THAT extent.  Last week I went for routine bloodwork with my family doctor and my calcium came back at 10.8.  This is a very high, abnormal value for blood calcium, from what I understand.  I also have been experiencing dizziness when I stand, shortness of breath, and diarrhea.  My doctor is unconcerned and refuses to retest my calcium level (he said that when it's "corrected" it's normal) or my parathyroid hormone level.  He also refuses to test for any type of cancers or to refer me to an endocrinologist.  He told me to just stop taking calcium (I was only taking 400 mg per day).

I am freaking out.  Everything I read online says this is a serious condition and MUST be treated immediately.  I made an appointment with my ENT and gastro for Friday.  I hope one of them can diagnose me or refer me to an endocrinologist.  What should I do??  Please help me. 

[LindaRK]

Personally, if I lost that much weight within a relatively short period of time (June to date) without really doing a hard-core diet, I'd see a doc.  And, if your doc isn't taking that into consideration along with your other symptoms, I'd get a second opinion.

When I was first diagnosed with anxiety, I lost about 30 pounds - all attributable to anxiety along with the accompanying diarrhea.  But, that's 30 pounds - you've lost 72.

[sixpack]

here is normal values

While normal blood calcium levels differ slightly from lab to lab, they usually range between 8.5 and 10.5 mg/dL (milligrams of calcium per deciliter of blood). Ionized calcium typically ranges from about 4.6 to 5.3 mg/dL

 

yours was 10.8.  that isn't VERY high or VERY abnormal.  that is just slightly out of range.

you may be surprised that if you dieted but also were living anxiously (and most of us here don't really understand that our bodies are anxious even if you don't feel it consciously) you can lose a lot of weight.

now, obviously, you can see a different GP or demand other testing from your other docs.  that is up to you, really.  personally the route I would take would be asking the doctor/s to explain why they don't think you need further testing.  What would prompt the doctor to think further testing was warranted.  We really need to remember that we anxious always think minor things are HUGE.  Just because you believe you are really sick doesn't make it so. 

[kellysmum]

sixpack,
I have been dieting and living anxiously since last summer.  I had a breast cancer scare in August after an abnormal mammogram result.  I also cut my food intake down to about 700-800 calories per day in October.  I cut out almost all carbohydrates.  In November and December we were fighting to keep our house out of foreclosure, and now we're declaring bankruptcy and surrendering the house in the bargain.   In December I started having dysfunctional uterine bleeding and just had a pelvic ultrasound today.  The calcium scare isn't helping my health anxiety any.  Thank you for the reply.  I'm seeing my family doc tomorrow morning to explain why he isn't doing further testing.

[tdundas]

Hi you have been through a lot. Was you mammogram ok in the end ? Have you had you pelvic scan?
I have dreadful health anxiety and have pelvic discomfort which I am convinced is ovarian cancer . I cannot lift my attention from my pelvis - it's a nightmare

[SighNoMore]

I will say that when I was highly anxious after a cancer scare I dropped about 30lbs in a month to month in a half. Given all that you have had going on I could see where you would drop weight. You have had some major issues on your plate. I am glad you are talking to your doctor tomorrow. Please keep us posted!

[sixpack]

I'm sorry you have all that going on in your life.

and combo that with how much you were eating, and I don't think your weight loss is unusual.

[vardnas]

I also cut my food intake down to about 700-800 calories per day in October.

Well there's your answer. Jeebus, a standard daily calorie intake is 2,000. No wonder you've lost 70 pounds—you're starving yourself!

[gcalex]

You should write a diet book -- the Anxiety Diet -- it would be a best seller.  Seriously, that sounds like way too few calories to stay healthy, and I wouldn't worry about the calcium level, as was mentioned it's only slightly high and those are just ranges. 

[kellysmum]

I had an ultrasound of my right breast in August.  I have a cyst in it. 

How can I convince my doc that I need more testing to investigate this problem?  He knows what a hypochondriac I am.

[Hohum]

I also cut my food intake down to about 700-800 calories per day in October.  I cut out almost all carbohydrates.

Firstly I am sorry to hear what you've been through in recent times. Anxiety often follows high stress events, and it sounds like you've been through plenty of those lately.

That said, 700-800 calories per day is under half of your maintenance intake. Coupled with the low-to-no carb diet and the high levels of stress/anxiety, I don't think 70 lbs in 6 months is too concerning at all. Extreme weight loss is a concern when there's no discernible cause (eg: if you said you were eating 1800 calories a day and lost 70lbs I could see that being worrisome).

How are your eating habits now? I ask, because if you're still on the same diet it might be attributing to your mood. You could eat 1500 calories daily with lots of whole/fresh foods and maintain your current weight, but in a more healthy manner.

[sixpack]

I had an ultrasound of my right breast in August.  I have a cyst in it. 

How can I convince my doc that I need more testing to investigate this problem?  He knows what a hypochondriac I am.

why do you need further testing if you have a cyst?

I had a cyst shown on US almost 2yrs ago.  It is a cyst.  cysts are considered a big fat nothing.  I think my last Mammo showed cyst/s as my mammo report said "only benign findings noted"  which means cysts.

Once it is classified as a cyst, you don't need anymore testing.

[kellysmum]

sixpack,
I misspoke.  I meant further testing for the high calcium level, but he went ahead and ordered a test of my parathyroid and I had it done today.  Should know by Monday.  Long weekend ahead.

I also just found out I have something in my uterus and it ain't a baby!
Seeing gyn. tomorrow.