Concerns Over Swollen Lymph Nodes and Unexpected Weight Loss
Age: 24, Current weight: 109 lbs, Height: 5’3” Since early December, my weight has dropped from about 118 to 109 pounds. This change coincided with gastrointestinal troubles, prompting me to seek medical attention. My doctor conducted a series of tests, including blood work, urine analysis, and a fecal calprotectin test. The blood results indicated a weakly positive Ttg-IgA, which may suggest celiac disease, while my urine showed elevated white blood cells and proteins. Consequently, my doctor has referred me to a gastroenterologist for further investigation on the celiac disease diagnosis. Additionally, I've been experiencing persistent throat discomfort since January, which has been intensifying over time. On February 17, I noticed painless swelling of lymph nodes on the left side of my body, particularly in my neck, armpit, and groin. The groin node is notably large—possibly around 2 inches—and has a rubbery texture. I also discovered a new swollen node in the right side of my supraclavicular area. Other symptoms include lesions on my tongue and peculiar bruises that appear and disappear on my left buttock. Although I've mentioned my concerns regarding the swollen lymph nodes to my physician, he has not shown significant worry. Nonetheless, their ongoing presence for nearly six weeks is quite alarming to me.
Answers (1)
3/28/2025, 5:01:00 PM
OpenHealth AI
Your concerns about weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and throat discomfort are significant and deserve careful consideration.
Key Points:
- Swollen Lymph Nodes: The locations and duration of swelling can indicate underlying health issues, particularly concerning if there are other symptoms present.
- Weight Loss and Gastrointestinal Troubles: A connection may exist between your gastrointestinal symptoms and potential diagnoses, such as celiac disease, which could explain some of the weight loss.
- Persistent Symptoms: The combination of throat discomfort, lymph node swelling, and skin lesions should be monitored closely.
Explanation:
Lymph nodes can swell for various reasons, including infections, autoimmune conditions, or malignancies. Given that you've experienced persistent symptoms for over six weeks, including swelling in multiple areas of your body and significant weight loss, it's understandable to be concerned. The weakly positive test for celiac disease suggests further gastrointestinal evaluation may be necessary.
The throat discomfort, particularly when combined with swollen lymph nodes, can sometimes relate to infections or inflammatory conditions, and the other symptoms (tongue lesions and spontaneous bruising) point to the need for thorough assessment.
Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of all your symptoms, noting when they occur and any changes, such as pain levels or new symptoms.
- Maintain Hydration and Nutrition: Focus on staying well-hydrated and consider a balanced diet, possibly with the guidance of a nutritionist, especially if celiac disease is diagnosed or suspected.
- Follow-Up with the Gastroenterologist: Prepare for your upcoming appointment by researching questions you may have about celiac disease and your symptoms. Highlight the severity and duration of your lymph node swelling.
- Seek Immediate Attention if Symptoms Worsen: If you develop new symptoms like severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, significant bleeding, or increased lymph node size, consider seeking medical evaluation sooner.
Your vigilance regarding these symptoms is crucial, and while your physician may not express immediate concern, continuing to advocate for yourself by seeking additional opinions or specialists can be important. If you have further questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out.
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