[47F] Experiencing polyuria and significant weight loss

Question

Has anyone else experienced this before? I’m scared something is wrong with my kidneys my husband and I drive cross country in a semi truck and we’re only home 3 days out of a month so it’s hard to just keep jumping to doctors for this

Patient Description

A 47-year-old female with a history of diabetes for 12 years is experiencing polyuria, with a need to urinate every couple of hours, both during the day and at night. The urine is described as clear and bubbly. She also reports pain in the abdomen or back but no blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills. Additionally, she has experienced a significant weight loss of over 100 pounds in approximately 6 months. The patient takes Monjuro once weekly and Glipizide 10 mg daily for diabetes management and is allergic to penicillin. No recent changes in medication, substance use, or over-the-counter supplements have been reported.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, the following conditions could be causing your symptoms:

  • Poorly Controlled Diabetes: Diabetes can cause frequent urination and excessive thirst, especially when blood sugar levels are poorly controlled. This can also lead to weight loss.

    • Treatment typically involves medication, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar levels.
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): UTIs can cause frequent urination, discomfort in the lower abdomen, and sometimes back pain. However, UTIs usually cause changes in urine color or smell, which you did not report.

    • Treatment typically involves antibiotics.
  • Kidney Disease: Diabetes can lead to kidney disease, which can cause frequent urination, especially at night, and back pain. Kidney disease can also cause bubbles in the urine due to proteinuria (excess protein in the urine).

    • Treatment typically involves managing underlying conditions, like diabetes, and may include medication to protect the kidneys.
  • Overactive Bladder Syndrome: This condition can cause a sudden urge to urinate and frequent urination.

    • Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, bladder training exercises, medication, or sometimes surgery.

What you can do

  1. Make an appointment with your doctor: It's important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor, especially since they've been going on for a couple of months. They can order tests to help determine what's causing your symptoms.

  2. Monitor your blood sugar levels: If you have a glucose meter, keep track of your blood sugar levels. This can help your doctor determine if poorly controlled diabetes might be causing your symptoms.

  3. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract if you have a UTI. However, be aware that excessive drinking can also lead to frequent urination.

  4. Limit caffeine and alcohol: These can irritate your bladder and cause frequent urination.

What you should look out for

  • If you develop a fever, this could suggest an infection.
  • If your back or abdominal pain becomes severe, seek medical attention immediately.
  • If you notice blood in your urine, seek medical attention immediately.
  • If you become excessively thirsty or your mouth becomes very dry, this could suggest poorly controlled diabetes.

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor. It's important to consult with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your symptoms and medical history.

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10 mo ago

People Also Ask


What causes frequent urination in people with diabetes?

Frequent urination in people with diabetes is often caused by high blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is high, the kidneys try to remove the excess glucose from the blood, which leads to increased urine production and frequent urination.


Can weight loss be a symptom of poorly controlled diabetes?

Yes, significant weight loss can be a symptom of poorly controlled diabetes. When the body cannot use glucose for energy due to insufficient insulin, it starts breaking down fat and muscle for energy, leading to weight loss.


What are the signs of kidney disease in diabetic patients?

Signs of kidney disease in diabetic patients can include frequent urination, especially at night, swelling in the legs and ankles, fatigue, and bubbles in the urine due to proteinuria. It's important to manage blood sugar levels to prevent kidney damage.


How can overactive bladder syndrome be managed?

Overactive bladder syndrome can be managed through lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, bladder training exercises, medications, and in some cases, surgery. Consulting a healthcare provider for a tailored treatment plan is recommended.


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3 Comments


Madelyn#4031

10 mo ago

Definitely see a primary care doc and get some appropriate blood tests. Sounds a little out of the ordinary relative to what you'd expect with well-controleld diabetes. I'd first check your hemoglobin A1C to see if it's higher than usual and your diabetes is not well controlled.

If that's fine, also look into diabetes insipidus (decrease in the effect of a hormone called ADH or anti-diuretic hormone), which leads to excess urination. There are multiple causes of diabetes insipidus and figuring out which one requires lab tests.

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Tate McEwan#4033

10 mo ago

My sister-in-law had a similar problem of constantly peeing after a complicated birth. Turned out that she had blood loss leading to damage of her pituitary gland and an issue with ADH production like @Madeyln was describing. She takes replacement ADH medication and doesn't have the issue anymore!

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Margot#4035

10 mo ago

would check a blood sugar or hba1c if you haven't already

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