Morrison, Abnormal weight loss in the hands of an expert, Dr. Bharat Pothuri.
Step-by-Step Approach:
Medical History and physical Exam.
Dr. Pothuri will start by talking about your symptoms, your diet, stressors, and the use of medication. He does an active abdominal examination to be able to identify the presence of tenderness at the epigastric area.
Laboratory Tests
Laboratory analyses aid in the erythracyte elimination:
- Full blood count (FBC) due to anemia or infection.
- Liver enzymes (AST/ALT), bilirubin to determine hepatobiliary function.
- Pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase) as an indicator of pancreatitis.
- H. pylori serologies or feces antigen testing.
Imaging Studies
- Abdominal ultrasound to look at the gallbladder, the bile ducts, liver and pancreas.
- Abdominal CT scan in case of mass, severe inflammation or complicated anatomy is suspected.
Endoscopy ( Upper GI Endoscopy / EGD)
With the patient under general anesthesia, Dr. Pothuri examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum to detect ulcers, erosions, gastritis or malignancy-and get real-time biopsies or H. pylori test.
Advanced Testing (if needed)
- PH recording in 24hours to estimate acid reflux.
- Motility disorders- esophagus Esophagus manometry.
- Gastric emptying test to determine gastroparesis.
- Small-bowel appraisal- capsule endoscopy or small-bowel imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered as abnormal weight loss?
An abnormal weight loss is when you lose over 5 percent of your body mass within a 6-12 months without attempting to do so.
What's the ICD-10 code for this?
The code is R63.4 -Abnormal weight loss.
When should I see a doctor?
Should you experience unaccountable weight loss, then call our number within a week and make an appointment with Dr. Bharat Pothuri.
Are the tests painful?
The majority of tests are low risk and are not complicated. The endoscopies are conducted under anesthetization to have you feel better.
Can diet fix the issue alone?
In some cases, all you need is a shift in your diet, but in others, they might require drugs or additional procedures to deal with causes.
Would you treat patients throughout Houston?
Yes. Our coverage area is Houston and its environs such as Midtown, Katy, Sugar Land, and The Heights.