What should I check if I am getting thinner?

The state of the body changes all the time, because the environment people live in is constantly changing, and the different amounts of their own activities cause the body's state to fluctuate. However, some phenomena are manifestations of disease, and people must deal with them in a timely manner. For example, many people have experienced symptoms of becoming thinner and thinner. So, what should you check if your body is becoming thinner and thinner? Let’s take a look at the explanation below.

If you find that you are underweight and too thin, you should first check whether there is a potential impact of disease, such as thyroid, diabetes, adrenal, digestive system diseases, etc., which can easily cause being underweight. Only after ruling out the possibility of disease can you implement a weight gain plan.

1. Physical Examination

(A) Weight measurement

It should be done regularly and compared with the standard weight to understand whether the weight loss is progressive. Common diseases that cause rapid weight loss include diabetes, hyperthyroidism, malignant tumors, etc.

(ii) A detailed physical examination can often provide early diagnostic clues.

1. For those who are emaciated, their body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate should be measured. For those with long-term fever, the possibility of chronic infection, tumor, connective tissue disease, hyperthyroidism and pheochromocytoma should be considered. For those with hypertension (paroxysmal or persistent), the possibility of pheochromocytoma should be considered.

2. Examination of the oral cavity, skin, hair, lymph nodes, etc.: pay attention to malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, anemia, edema, etc. Patients with anterior pituitary hypopigmentation have reduced skin pigmentation and hair loss, with pubic and axillary hair being more obvious; pale, dry, and dull skin; genital atrophy; and breast atrophy in women. Adison disease patients have skin pigmentation, with some flaky blue-black pigmentation on the lips and oral mucosa. The pigmentation is more obvious in exposed areas, areas of pressure and friction, perineum, linea alba, etc. Patients with hyperthyroidism have warm, moist and sweaty skin, tremors when sticking out the tongue and hands, accelerated heart rate, hyperactive heart sounds, etc. They may also have signs such as thyroid enlargement and exophthalmos. Patients with carcinoid syndrome may have paroxysmal asthma, skin flushing, right-sided heart valve murmur, and liver enlargement. Purpura on the skin, hemorrhagic spots, swollen lymph nodes, etc. should be considered as possible blood diseases and malignant tumors.

3. Examinations of other systems: Examinations of the chest, abdomen, and nervous systems are important clues for early diagnosis.

2. Laboratory Examination

1. Blood, urine and stool routine

1. Abnormal blood routine test indicates blood diseases, tumors and chronic infections. Diagnosis of malnutrition helps.

2. Urinalysis and urine relative density testing are helpful for early diagnosis of kidney disease.

3. Routine stool and occult blood examination for intestinal inflammation and tumors. It helps in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases.

(2) An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate often indicates the presence of tuberculosis, tumors, connective tissue diseases and various chronic infections.