Posts by Nicholas Myers

wanderinghawk22 said:Here is my report, though it’s a biopsy rather than standard lab work...😛Four thin cylindrical tissue samples, ranging from 0.6 to 1 cm, were collected. Histologically, there is lymphoid tissue with surrounding connective tissue, and within the medullary area, dilated sinuses surrounded by proliferating plasma cells. Nearly all cylinders show single or clustered atypical, medium-sized—occasionally larger—irregular lymphatic cells. Immunohistochemistry shows them as cd3+, cd2+, cd5+, cd4+, cd8-, cd7-, and cd20-. CD21 staining fails to demonstrate any remaining follicular dendritic network.???

Hello,

Do you have any other details from the report?

It's a bit sparse, I'd say, if one wants to draw a meaningful conclusion.

Usually, the pathologist or cytologist will state a diagnosis clearly in the final summary.

Angela Grant22 said:Is it alright if I post here about some symptoms I've been dealing with lately?

To whom it may concern,

If you've had any Laboratory tests done, it would be helpful to post those results. Please describe your symptoms following the guidelines laid out in the opening post.

If you aren't seeing anything on your test results yet but the symptoms are still hitting you, here’s what I’d suggest looking into. Topic Index Is there an existing thread for this? If not, feel free to start a new one.

Don't sweat the placement. Whether you drop a question here or start a new thread elsewhere, the doctors—including vividsailor7—along with the rest of the community, will get back to you. There’s no need to worry about posting in the "wrong" spot. 🙂

Greetings. 🙂

Edit: indra2's post regarding lung CT scans has been moved. Here.If you don't get a response, just reach out to the forum moderator. GertrudeShe works as a radiologist.

Given you mentioned your girlfriend is dealing with anemia and actually required a blood transfusion(?!)—she should probably see a hematologist at Mayo Clinic, and perhaps a nephrologist regarding the kidney issues?

Let's try to keep this conversation civil, please. 🙂

crimsonharbor50, I get that you’re incredibly worried about your girlfriend and that you’re looking for some guidance on what happens next.

However, speaking as a fellow physician, I have to tell you that offering any real advice is impossible without a full review of the medical records and all the test results.

I don't even know her current status—whether she's still hospitalized or has been discharged for home care. She should have certain findings and diagnoses on hand.

First off, describing the issue as "kidneys retaining blood" isn't medically accurate. For instance, I initially thought you were referring to renal bleeding. Then you mentioned an ABI diagnosis, which would imply sudden kidney failure—meaning they simply stopped functioning.

The reality is that someone experiencing acute kidney failure needs to be in a hospital; they can't just be sent home. That's a different matter entirely if she was already being treated for a chronic condition and is now in a post-acute state.

So, right from the jump, it's clear we're missing too much information to provide a detailed perspective.

Our colleague vividsailor7 is very active here and is always happy to help, but for him to offer more insight—given his specialty is closer to this than mine—you really need to gather concrete data. You need to reach out to your girlfriend and see if she can get the actual reports and doctors' notes. What exactly did they write? What was the treatment plan at the hospital? What medications is she on? Have they scheduled follow-up tests? We need those specifics.

fadedorca3 said:I was hoping someone could take a look at these lab results....

So, we’re looking at a 21-year-old pregnant woman in her 7th month. She already struggles with low iron levels...

Glucose 3.8 mmol/L (Ref range: 4.2 to 6)

Iron
Iron 7.4 umol/L (Ref range: 8-30)
UIBC 84.9 umol/L (Ref range: 26-59)
TIBC 92.3 umol/L (Ref range: 49-75)

oGTT after 2h: 4.7 mmol/L, which is normal (
NOTE: HEMATOLOGY WITH COAGULATION

Leukocytes 9.36 (Ref range: 3.4-9.7)

Erythrocytes 3.65 (Ref range: 3.86-5.08)
Hemoglobin 113 (Ref range: 119-157)
Hematocrit 0.333 (Ref range: 0.356-0.47)
MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) 91.4 (Ref range: 83-97.2)
MCH (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin) 31.1 (Ref range: 27.4-33.9)
MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration) 340 (Ref range: 320-345)
RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) 13.9 (Ref range: 9-15)
Platelets 157 (Ref range: 158-424)
MPV 8.1 (Ref range: 6.8-10.4)

Hello,

The main outlier here, as you noted, is the iron level. In pregnancy, an iron level below 12 µmol/l typically indicates a deficiency.

Hemoglobin levels are still holding steady for now.

Discuss the dosage for any iron supplements with your OB/GYN.

Please consult your doctor regarding these findings.

Best regards—wishing you and your baby all the best. 🙂

shadowviper24 said:A few days ago, I felt two lumps on the left and right sides of my neck, plus one smaller one on the lower right. My doctor sent me for labs, which came back today. Today, I also felt a lump on the left side under my ear. Lately, I've been having frequent headaches, and about 10 years ago, I had Stage I melanoma surgically removed.
Could someone comment on these results? Some values are outside the normal range, and I'm wondering if the deviation is significant. My last labs were a month ago, and everything was within normal limits except for the BASO, which was .087 1.22%

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6679/img20120418195057.th.jpg http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/1592/img20120418195013.th.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9479/img20120418195031.th.jpg http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8633/img20120418195045.th.jpg

Hello,

These results aren't specific. There is a decrease in lymphocytes (a more significant drop is considered anything below 1.0 x 10^9) and a slight increase in basophils (values above 0.08 x 10^9 are considered elevated).

The minor deviations are noticeable, though they don't quite align with the clinical picture as far as I can tell.

It’s premature to draw firm conclusions without further testing. A more complete assessment would require checking things like CRP, Selenium, LDH, and liver function tests, assuming those are indicated. Depending on where the diagnosis leads—perhaps serology—and if the nodes persist, we might look at a peripheral blood smear, an ultrasound of the lymph nodes, or even a fine-needle aspiration.

Be sure to go over these results with your doctors.

Best regards. 🙂
__________________________________

edit: indra2, I've moved your post here.
edit no. 2: sope, I've moved your post here.

To whom it may concern,

When dealing with a dog bite—and even more so with a cat bite—there's a real risk of infection from various aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The swelling in the lymph nodes is a clear indicator of that. If the infectious disease specialist decides it's necessary, antibiotic treatment will be administered, and everything should stabilize.

Additionally, an epidemiologist needs to be consulted to review the circumstances of the incident. They will determine if the animal belongs to a known owner who can be placed under veterinary observation, which ultimately dictates whether rabies vaccinations are required based on those specific details.

Best regards. 🙂

Brenda Alvarez24 said:Waiting for the final results from 1990....

Ma'am,

I'm not sure which direction your doctors—specifically an immunologist or a rheumatologist—are leaning regarding your diagnosis. Usually, there's at least a suspicion or a working hypothesis involved.

Regarding the second part of your question: reaching a definitive diagnosis isn't always straightforward. It's worth noting that for certain conditions, meeting "cumulative criteria" is enough. This means you don't necessarily need all symptoms to be present simultaneously, provided they have occurred over time.

It is also vital that a physician evaluates those specific clinical signs used to satisfy diagnostic criteria. For instance, a doctor must clinically identify something like a malar rash to meet the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Given your lab work, the diverse range of symptoms, and the involvement of multiple organ systems, I believe you should definitely consult a top-tier rheumatologist or immunologist. You need someone to review your existing working diagnoses, consolidate all previous findings, and determine if you actually meet the threshold for a specific condition.

briskcobra543 said:hepatitis markers came back anti-HAV positive, anti-HCV positive, and HCV Ag quantitative test pos 15 pg/ml, does anyone know what this means

Sir,

An anti-HAV positive result indicates you have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus—meaning you’ve either recovered from it (often called infectious jaundice) or you've gained immunity through vaccination.

However, the combination of being anti-HCV positive and having a positive HVC Ag result suggests a potential Hepatitis C infection.

With these results, you need to see an infectious disease specialist for a full evaluation and further testing.

Best regards and wishing you the best. 🙂

Eric Morales62 said:Thanks for the quick reply. I understand that without an immunologist's exam, a precise diagnosis is impossible. I didn't mention in my previous post that I've already seen an immunologist; I still don't have a definitive diagnosis or any treatment, which is why I'm looking for perspectives here—perhaps someone has dealt with something similar. It seems like I won't get a final diagnosis until my condition actually worsens (once all the criteria are met). I'm no doctor, but logically, treatment should start sooner rather than waiting for things to take a turn for the worse.

Brenda Alvarez24 said:What criteria do our rheumatologists and immunologists actually use to diagnose an autoimmune disease?
I’ve been digging through Elsevier and the American College of Rheumatology websites...
I can't figure out what specific piece I'm missing to pin down an accurate diagnosis. It isn't like I need swollen joints to be dealing with something. Swollen joints aren't the only metric.
The thing is, by the time you finally see a specialist... the symptoms that brought you there have usually cycled through or shifted during those three, four, or five months you spent waiting for the appointment.

Dear sophie7 and fellow forum members,

While you wait for your lab results, a diagnosis, or your actual appointment, I suggest looking into the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus thread. You'll find many members there discussing various symptoms, diagnostic hurdles, treatment protocols, and the daily realities of living with autoimmune conditions, offering mutual support and advice.

I recommend checking out that discussion and joining in. There are people there with significant experience who have navigated these exact issues firsthand. They can be a major source of support.

Also, my co-moderator, leeloo27, also tests positive for SS-A antibodies and is still awaiting a final diagnosis. She is active in that thread, so feel free to exchange experiences with her.

Regarding your question about when a diagnosis is officially made: clinical guidelines suggest that if a patient doesn't present a full clinical picture, they should be diagnosed with "undifferentiated connective tissue disease" and monitored closely.

However, that doesn't mean these patients go without treatment. Therapy should be targeted toward the clinical manifestations of the disease. For instance, if someone has progressing kidney issues but hasn't met every single criterion for systemic lupus, they won't sit around waiting for the checklist to complete before starting medication. Treatment starts where the symptoms demand it.

Best regards. 🙂

I just want to point out that we shouldn't downplay the work done by epidemiologists at the Department of Public Health. Doing so might inadvertently influence someone reading this—perhaps someone who has been bitten, scratched, or had direct contact with an animal—to think it isn't worth their time to seek professional advice.

Under the Communicable Disease Act and relevant vaccination regulations, epidemiologists are legally obligated to follow a strict protocol whenever someone reports an injury from an animal or potential exposure.

After conducting a thorough medical history review, the epidemiologist assesses the specific risk level for rabies and acts accordingly.

In cases involving a pet with a known owner, they may verify the animal's vaccination status or determine if the pet needs to be placed under ten-day veterinary observation. It’s all very precisely mapped out.

Therefore, you should always contact the epidemiological services. It is the epidemiologist's job to decide if there is cause for concern and to ensure the entire process follows the Law along with specific regulations and rules. 🙂

vividsailor7 said:SSA levels are elevated at SAP. Sjögren's, S&P Global. Advanced immunology.

I’d just like to build on what my esteemed colleague—whom I greet here—noted regarding your next steps. It’s important you understand, Kimberly Martinez7, that a single lab result showing specific antibodies isn't enough to diagnose an autoimmune disorder or a systemic connective tissue disease. You have to meet specific clinical criteria established for each individual condition. This process requires a thorough medical history and a physical exam, which falls under the expertise of an immunologist or rheumatologist. That is why my colleague suggested seeing one next.

In short: a positive test alone doesn't equal a diagnosis. Other benchmarks must be met first. I mention this so you aren't caught off guard if an immunologist doesn't provide a definitive answer immediately after your exam. It’s quite common for patients to "wait" for a final diagnosis while they wait for all the clinical pieces to fall into place.

All the best to you, Kimberly Martinez7.

Best regards. 🙂

Hello,

It’s a shame you couldn't scan the report. I’m a bit puzzled by the glucose and bilirubin levels; they seem elevated, yet the final result is marked as "normal" or "negative." This suggests those specific parameters might actually be within range. Usually, if there were an issue, you'd see plus signs—like what appeared next to the leukocyte esterase or hemoglobin—rather than a "negative" designation. That discrepancy is why I was looking for the original document. It’s possible there's a mismatch in sensitivity between different testing methods or reagent strips.

Regardless, the presence of leukocytes and erythrocytes in the urine is clear. Is there any chance the sample was contaminated? For instance, were you menstruating at the time, or perhaps experiencing some vaginal discharge?

If I were in your shoes, I would simply repeat the urinalysis. You should definitely consult your primary care physician about these results. Seeing leukocytes and erythrocytes in these quantities—setting aside the glucose and bilirubin, which may be fine—isn't a normal finding. We need to determine if this is a matter of a contaminated sample, an infection, or something else entirely.

Since you aren't experiencing symptoms, this isn't an emergency. However, please discuss these findings with your doctor to get their professional take. If you decide to redo the test, ensure the collection process is precise: use your first morning urine after at least four hours of fasting, perform thorough hygiene beforehand, and use the midstream catch. Also, make sure you aren't mid-cycle or dealing with any discharge during the collection.

Best regards. 🙂

wiredbadger18 said:Dear Nicholas Myers
I am sending you my lab results regarding some vein inflammation...

Hello,

Based on these results, there's a possibility of a urinary tract infection; several markers point in that direction. I'm not sure if you’ve been experiencing any discomfort while urinating or if a doctor has already prescribed an antibiotic course for it.

Additionally, the urine analysis shows elevations in both bilirubin 9 and, it appears, glucose as well. Please double-check the specific values listed against the standard reference ranges provided by the lab.

The typical reference range for glucose in urine is usually under 0.8 mmol/l, but yours is sitting at 2.2 mmol/l. That’s a notable uptick. It would be wise to repeat the urinalysis—which you should do regardless—and also get a fasting blood glucose test along with a panel for total bilirubin, AST, ALT, GGT, and ALP, especially if the bilirubin levels remain elevated in the follow-up.

Have you checked out this thread? It focuses on seborrhea and seborrheic dermatitis—conditions involving dandruff, which is actually linked to the Pityrosporum ovale yeast.

From what I can see, the last post there was from April 2012, so you're clearly looking at the wrong discussion. 😉

A lot of people on that thread complained about trying practically EVERYTHING only to still deal with the issue, leading to debates over various products and shared experiences. I’d suggest giving it a read (specifically the more recent posts toward the end).

vividsailor7 said:It’s all there in two words: Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Dr. Harvey, I suspect this isn't just a simple case of Hashimoto's given this finding (in bold):

Olivia Scott86 said:Ten lymph nodes were recovered from the right paratracheal dissection, one containing malignant tissue. In the right Level III region, eight primary nodes were found, with one showing malignancy.

What specific type of tumor are we looking at here—perhaps papillary carcinoma, redbutterfly—and what does the follow-up treatment protocol look like?

Edit: I see you've moved over to the "Thyroid" subforum. It would be best to move this conversation there.

Since you’ve kicked off this thread, it would be helpful if you could provide a bit of context. Most of us here—myself included—haven't encountered this specific approach before. A brief overview of what this method actually entails and how it’s implemented would go a long way in giving everyone a baseline understanding. If you wouldn't mind sharing a few details, it would be much appreciated. 😉

crimsonbison82 said:Who can I contact—a moderator, or someone regarding specific posts? I would be immensely grateful. Thanks!

To whom it may concern,

The Health section guidelines state the following:

"Posts and open threads are not deleted upon user request, except in exceptional circumstances involving highly justified reasons (for instance, the disclosure of private information such as full names, phone numbers, etc.).

We advise all our members to think carefully before posting; consider whether you might later regret sharing certain details publicly.

Subsequent requests to remove posts due to second thoughts or a desire to hide personal life details or medical conditions will not be granted."

The Health moderators have reviewed your request. We have reached a collective and final decision: unfortunately, we cannot grant it. Your post regarding "Epilepsy," which has already received responses, must remain.

Your only option at this stage is to create a new profile.

We haven't honored similar requests in the past, which is precisely why we added this clause to the guidelines. Furthermore, I should clarify that refusing deletion requests isn't unique to the Health section—despite the private messages accusing us of being the only ones who won't delete posts while other American forums supposedly do so without issue. You can read more about that note here.

Since it is clear you are dissatisfied with this outcome, the only remaining course is to wait for the site administration to weigh in on your request.

Best regards. 🙂

Sincerely,
Maria Fisher46