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Unexpected weight loss during hormone therapy

Posted , 2 users are following.

helen33824
helen33824

My 65 yr old brother was diagnosed with PC last December and has been receiving hormone therapy injections since then.

He recently commented that he’d lost about a stone in weight since January and I started worrying.  Since doing some research on the net, I’m still worried as I can only find weight gain mentioned  as a common side effect of this therapy. 

The only mention of weight loss is in connection with other symptoms such as loss of appetite due to sickness, bone pain etc in more advanced cancer.  So far he hasn’t had any of those and his only symptoms, apart from a few hot flushes, are an increased need to pee and taking longer to do so.  He hasn’t been on a strict diet and, although he’s been more careful in what he eats for several years, he hasn’t been able to shift much weight until now.  He still has a healthy appetite.

I don’t know whether we’re worrying unnecessarily or whether he should have a word with the doctor.    

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • barney34567
    barney34567 helen33824

    Posted

    Is he on any medication other than the hormone therapy? I ask because every often meds interact in a way that is unintended. For example viagra and some heart meds can lower blood pressure to a very worrisome level. A totally unexpected situation. 

    I am not a physician, but suggest your brother list every medication, supplement  and vitamin he is on, separate to the hormone meds, and show this to his treating physicians. Alternatively, you can search for the results of what happens when whatever he is on is taken with his hormone meds.

    • barney34567
      barney34567

      Posted

      Sorry, I meant to say " I ask because very often......"
  • barney34567
    barney34567 helen33824

    Posted

    One more thing. Did he have a bone density test when he first started hormone therapy or since? I ask because such therapy thins the bones. It would be good to know the status of his bones before  the therapy  began or as close to its start and compare that with whatever state the bones are in down the track.

     

    • helen33824
      helen33824 barney34567

      Posted

      Many thanks for your reply Barney.  The only other medication he’s on is Amlodipine to reduce his blood pressure.  No he didn’t get offered a bone density scan, didn't know about that one.  I think he should have one anyway as Mum had osteoporosis.  

      He’s only been having the injections for 5 months so perhaps it’s early days yet and his body still needs time to adjust.

    • barney34567
      barney34567 helen33824

      Posted

      Almodipine may cause weight gain but not weight loss. I suggest you mention this to the treating physician, as it could be a rare side effect.

      as to osteoporosis which is the bone thinning I mentioned, I recommend a scan be done ASAP so you have a reference point to compare any future scans.

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