Left abdominal pain/weight loss

[Newzealander]

I am a 42 year old male, non-smoker, athletic, generally healthy with no history of serious disease, injury or surgery.  I am 6

[6inVA]

Did they also check for C. Difficile (stool check)?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

One consideration may be carcinoid syndrome.  This is a disorder that is characterized by the release of hormonal factors.  Episodic flushing is the clinical hallmark of the carcinoid syndrome, and occurs in 85 percent of patients. It primarily involves the face, neck and upper chest, which become red to violaceous or purple, and is associated with a mild burning sensation. Severe flushes are accompanied by a fall in blood pressure and rise in pulse rate.

Secretory diarrhea occurs in 80 percent of patients and is often the most debilitating component of the syndrome. Stools may vary from few to more than 30 per day, are typically watery and nonbloody, and can be explosive and accompanied by abdominal cramping.

The most useful initial diagnostic test for the carcinoid syndrome is to measure 24-hour urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA), which is the end product of serotonin metabolism.

In addition to the tests you have already received, you may want to discuss this with your personal physician.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

Bibliography:
Sitaraman et al.  Diagnosis of the carcinoid syndrome.  UptoDate, 2004.

Sitaraman et al.  The carcinoid syndrome.  UptoDate, 2004.

[ozark]

have you had a cardiac workup to check for arrythmias or other abnormalities? or a neurological exam?