Artificial Intelligence Doctor
Main Buckets of Causes
Medical disease Endocrine Infection GI/Malabsorption Neurologic Medications Psychosocial Sarcopenia- Chronic disease: heart failure, COPD, CKD, liver disease, cancer.
- Endocrine: hyperthyroidism, diabetes (poor control), adrenal insufficiency.
- Infections: persistent UTI, TB, dental or sinus infections.
- GI malabsorption: celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, IBD; chronic pancreatitis.
- Neurologic: Parkinson’s disease, dementia, post-stroke changes.
- Medication-related: SSRIs/SNRIs, digoxin, stimulants, thyroid hormone, chemotherapy; polypharmacy effects (nausea, altered taste, diarrhea).
- Psychological/social: depression, anxiety, bereavement, loneliness.
- Age-related: sarcopenia, reduced gastric acid/absorption, low-grade inflammation (“inflammaging”).
Red Flags — Seek Care Promptly
- >5% body weight loss over 6–12 months, or >10 lbs unintentionally.
- Fever, night sweats, chills.
- Persistent pain, new cough or shortness of breath.
- Blood in stool or urine; black stools; ongoing diarrhea or vomiting.
- Difficulty swallowing or frequent choking.
- Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting.
- New confusion, apathy, marked fatigue.
Common Symptoms & Suggested First-Line Tests
| Clinical Clue | Consider | First-Line Tests (discuss with clinician) |
|---|---|---|
| Heat intolerance, tremor, fast pulse | Hyperthyroidism | TSH, Free T4 |
| Diarrhea, greasy stools, bloating | Malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, celiac | Stool fat/elastase, celiac serology (tTG-IgA + total IgA) |
| Thirst, frequent urination | Diabetes/poor glycemic control | Glucose, HbA1c, CMP |
| Chronic cough, dyspnea | COPD, malignancy, infection | CXR, CBC, CRP/ESR |
| Abdominal pain, jaundice | Liver/pancreas disease | CMP, amylase/lipase, ultrasound ± CT |
| Low mood, anhedonia | Depression/anxiety | Screening tools (PHQ‑9/GAD‑7), medication review |
| Chewing/swallowing difficulty | Dental/oral issues, dysphagia | Dental exam, swallow study if indicated |
Action Plan You Can Take to Your Visit
- Track weight weekly and bring the log.
- List all medications and supplements (with start dates and dose changes).
- Record GI, mood, sleep, and activity symptoms for 2–4 weeks.
- Ask about initial labs: CBC, CMP, TSH/free T4, HbA1c, CRP/ESR, B12/folate/iron, vitamin D, UA ± culture.
- Discuss age-appropriate cancer screening and whether imaging is warranted.
- Review diet with a dietitian to ensure adequate protein (≥1.0–1.2 g/kg/day) and energy.
If weight loss is rapid or accompanied by red flags, seek urgent care.