Posts by Carol Lopez23

restlessridge17 said:Thank you so much for that response. 🙂

I am somewhat perplexed as to why my HDL remains stuck at 0.8...

And regarding the MPV—are you suggesting that having a value of 11.2 when the upper limit is 10.4 isn't actually a cause for concern? I ask because, while browsing various health forums online, I noticed many people expressing significant anxiety over values in the 11.x range, which naturally led me to feel a bit uneasy myself.

In this specific context, an elevated MPV carries very little clinical weight. To be perfectly honest, I don't know anyone who tracks that metric closely, not even my colleagues in hematology. 😁

You’re doing just fine; the results look perfectly acceptable to me.

Jessica White95 said:Dear colleagues, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for providing such a thoughtful response.
My physician hasn't referred me for any additional diagnostic tests or screenings, which means I have absolutely no other results to review aside from a urinalysis that I won't be able to complete for a few days due to my cycle. To make matters even more unusual, he hasn't even performed a standard physical exam, such as listening to my lungs with a stethoscope. Our entire communication has been conducted strictly over the phone. It is completely baffling to me why I am being prescribed Klavocin, and when I pressed him for an explanation, his only reasoning was simply "because of the fever." If we are potentially looking at a case of pneumonia, is it possible for that to be detected through a standard blood panel?
Thank you once again for all your help. I shall be sure to reach out in a few days once my urinalysis results have come back. Best regards.

Diagnosing pneumonia isn't simply a matter of looking at a single blood test result; rather, it requires a careful correlation of several different clinical factors. I have observed that many family practitioners tend to prescribe Klavocin quite "preventatively," but a fever alone certainly cannot serve as the sole diagnostic indicator. My sincere advice would be to refrain from taking such medication unless it is truly necessary.

Olivia Gomez67 said:Thank you so much for that response! My protein levels came back at 75, which sits comfortably within the standard range of 66 to 81, and my complete blood count looks absolutely wonderful overall. I was wondering, is it possible that these results might be influenced by the fact that I tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days prior to this lab work?

The Cat provided a response earlier. To answer your question, yes, it is certainly possible; however, one really ought to take into account the points raised by our colleague. It might even be that the very reason you are scheduled to see a pulmonologist could provide the necessary context for this situation. 😉

Olivia Gomez67 said:Greetings, I am hoping for some clarification regarding my recent lab results, which were obtained during a routine checkup at an outpatient clinic. S)
Albumin 55.7% 55.8 - 66.1 (S) Albumin 41.8g/L 41.0 - 48.6 (S) Alpha 1 globulins 3.2% 2.9 - 4.9 (S) Alpha 1 globulins 2.4g/L 2.1 - 3.6 (S) Alpha 2 globulins 7.3% 7.1 - 11.8 (S) Alpha 2 globulins 5.5g/L 5.2 - 8.7 (S) Beta globulins 10.0% 8.4 - 13.1 (S) Beta globulins 7.5g/L 6.2 - 9.6 (S) Gamma globulins 23.8% 11.1 - 18.8 (S) Gamma globulins 17.9g/L 8.2 - 13.8
I would be most grateful if someone could explain this elevation in gamma globulins. Thank you.

What kind of outpatient facility was this, and what specific clinical indication led to the request for this protein electrophoresis?

Morgan Brown4 said:A question regarding Mercury:

To provide some context, I recently dealt with an injury and initially visited my local community clinic, but they suggested I head over to Mayo Clinic instead. When I arrived at Mayo Clinic, the staff mentioned things were incredibly backed up there and advised that I would be much better off visiting Mercury to avoid waiting for hours on end. So, I went to Mercury and completed everything necessary—the doctor simply instructed me to return tomorrow for a dressing change. However, when I later mentioned the visit to a friend, he claimed I shouldn't have gone there because they would charge me an exorbitant amount!
I attempted to locate a price list or some sort of fee schedule, but all I could find was information regarding fertility treatments and abortions (which, thank God, is not something I need), so I am feeling a bit apprehensive. Should I be bracing myself for a massive USA-style medical bill, or is my friend just exaggerating about this disorganized bunch? 😁

Do you carry health insurance? If you are covered, your friend's concerns are moot; the insurance will handle the costs. 😬
If you happen to have supplemental coverage as well, then even better, as you likely won't see a bill at all. In the event that you are uninsured, you might receive a relatively minor invoice since you didn't undergo an extensive battery of diagnostic tests.

Emily Ortiz27 said:May I pose a theoretical question stemming from a recent discussion, one where we haven't quite managed to find a definitive answer via Google...
Does the progression of Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma impact blood counts, or is it detectable only through a lymph node biopsy or bone marrow examination?

It certainly does influence blood work, both before and after the fact, much like how El Gato described it. However, it is vital to consider the age of the individual in question, examine their specific lab results, and understand the underlying reason why suspicion was raised in the first place. It is important to remember that Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas are not particularly similar entities when you look at their clinical presentation and subsequent treatment protocols. The "gold standard" for this type of hematological diagnosis remains the aspiration of enlarged lymph nodes or a bone marrow puncture—essentially leading to a bone biopsy later on. While laboratory findings can certainly act as a compass pointing toward further diagnostic steps, they are often quite non-specific on their own.

Robin Scott9 said:Greetings, I would first like to extend my sincere gratitude to Nicholas Myers for everything he contributes to this community; truly excellent work. 🙏

Could someone please help me interpret these blood test results? (Male, 28 years old, 6'2", 176 lbs) As you can see from the attached images, while the values aren't drastically outside the standard range, it feels somewhat peculiar because my doctor insists everything is perfectly fine, even though several markers are flagged with an H or L.

It is worth noting that my lymphocyte levels have been elevated during three or four separate blood draws over the last few years. My TSH fluctuates between 4 and 6, though my endocrinologist believes there is no need to start medication at this stage. Occasionally, my urine appears cloudy in the evening—almost as if I had spilled a bit of milk into it—and I experience a slight stinging sensation during urination (though the urine culture came back sterile). Additionally, my creatinine levels have hovered right at the upper limit during several measurements over the past two years. My glucose levels have historically been normal. Regarding other symptoms, I am dealing with eczema that is quite itchy, stinging, and peeling on my face. Thank you!

https://prnt.sc/vhhacm
https://prnt.sc/vhhaud

Looking at the Complete Blood Count, I would suggest that these fluctuations might be a consequence of the eczema, as it seems to point toward a chronic state where the skin inflammation could be mediated by those elevated white blood cell counts. It might also be wise to check your iron levels, though it isn't strictly necessary. 😁

jadetinker10 said:I have one more question. We are currently waiting to get an appointment with a hematologist—which we have to wait for first—so I am wondering if there are any additional tests that should be performed to help eliminate possibilities or clarify the exact cause? I also neglected to mention that he doesn't drink alcohol or smoke, which I realize is quite significant information regarding GGT levels. Furthermore, is the elevated bilirubin itself a primary concern, and how does it relate to everything else?

In a clinical scenario such as this, one cannot simply view an elevated bilirubin level in total isolation.
It would be prudent to repeat a complete blood count—specifically requesting a platelet count using citrate tubes—along with a peripheral smear to check for morphological changes in the cells, as well as an ESR test. Additionally, a full biochemical panel should be conducted, and certain markers ought to be repeated: a comprehensive liver function test including LDH, electrolytes with calcium, urea and creatinine, and urates; if feasible, one should also include protein levels, albumin, and a protein electrophoresis.

jadetinker10 said:Regarding the platelet count, the lab included a note stating they observed aggregation caused by the EDTA anticoagulant, so the test needs to be repeated. The liver and spleen are normal in size, and all other abdominal organs look perfectly fine; the liver shows some fatty changes, though the doctor mentioned it isn't particularly concerning. The only symptom present is swelling in the legs around the ankles. Everything else is completely normal. I should mention the patient is an 80-year-old male. He has no other illnesses, and his blood pressure, heart health, and everything else are steady. These tests were ordered because a routine checkup flagged a low platelet count, and since I was curious about the underlying cause, I pushed for more extensive testing. What I am wondering is that prior to these results, he saw a gastroenterologist who suggested myelodysplastic syndrome might be a possibility; can anything from these specific findings point toward that diagnosis? We also ran tests for B12 and folate, but those aren't back yet.

Theoretically, myelodysplasia could be a factor, but typically it is accompanied by anemia, which we don't see here. However, if suspicions continue to lean in that direction, a much broader diagnostic workup will certainly be required.
You noted that this individual was undergoing routine blood work monitoring, yet you mentioned he had virtually no symptoms aside from occasional ankle edema—which is quite non-specific and actually fairly common in an 80-year-old. This leads me to wonder what the primary clinical indication was for initiating these additional tests in the first place.

jadetinker10 said:Warm greetings to everyone; I was wondering if someone might be kind enough to help me interpret these lab results. They just arrived, and while we are currently waiting for an appointment with a hematologist, I am eager to see if anyone can provide some additional insight. Aside from what you see here, there is also an elevated GGT level and low platelet counts. On the previous test, the platelets were at 70, and the GGT was 250. The ultrasound came back normal.
https://imghub.io/i/CDbm
https://imghub.io/i/CE7S

I find myself wondering why the platelet count wasn't specified in the last report. If the findings seem inconclusive, it is often necessary to perform a citrate analysis, which essentially means repeating the complete blood count.
Was the size of the spleen noted during the previous ultrasound? Furthermore, is the patient experiencing any other symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats?
Has the patient consulted with their primary care physician, and did they happen to notice any enlargement of the liver or spleen during an exam?
These specific markers could potentially point toward liver damage or perhaps significant iron overload, such as hemochromatosis—and since one condition can certainly trigger the other, it would be wise to consider testing for an HFE gene mutation.

It is truly difficult to find anything worth critiquing when everything is actually kept in perfect order.

Drew Sanchez82 said:But what if an individual actually qualifies for that specific testing simply because one of their parents passed away from the disease?
Given that there is a fifty percent chance of inheriting such a condition, I firmly believe they ought to be granted access to the testing.

There is no need for concern. They would simply visit a relevant specialist who can then officially recommend the testing process.

Drew Sanchez82 said:And why shouldn't they?

The issue is that an individual simply cannot walk in and self-diagnose their own medical indications. If someone has a specific desire for a certain treatment, they ought to seek out private practice options instead.

Urinary amylase levels can be quite a fickle diagnostic tool, showing significant variability from one person to the next. 😁 In any event, looking at your husband's results, everything appears perfectly normal, and one could even argue that those minor kidney stones might partially account for the current readings. 😁 Of course, this assessment assumes there aren't any underlying health issues at play, as we don't have the full picture regarding his medical history or the prior status of his kidney and liver function.

granitegardener said:What is the standard procedure here regarding specialists under Medicare when they refer a patient for surgery? Does the specific doctor who referred you actually perform the operation, or is it simply whoever happens to be the surgeon on call in the operating room that day?
About ten years ago, I underwent an orthopedic procedure on my ankle, and the exact same physician performed the surgery (at the Brooklyn hospital). However, I am currently facing an ENT issue at the Rib clinic, and I neglected to ask whether my primary doctor will be the one handling the actual procedure.

Generally speaking, they tend to schedule their own patients for their own procedures.

Paul Evans39 said:Does the word "otherwise" suggest that one might actually be able to complete all three examinations this time around? Furthermore, once the check-ups are finished, do the physicians typically retain the referral forms, or am I permitted to keep them for my own records?

It suggests that, at present, many hospitals have suspended their standard outpatient clinic services. 😁

Paul Evans39 said:Hello everyone, I have a rather trivial question for the group. I have gone ahead and scheduled appointments at three different hospitals using a single referral just to see which one might have the shortest waiting list. My question is this: am I restricted to visiting only one of those locations with that single referral? I assume I cannot use it for all three, correct?

Typically, you can only use it for one.

Tyler Morales2 said:So I'm just supposed to give myself the shots too?

It is certainly possible for your primary physician to handle that for you, perhaps by having their nurse or a medical technician assist with the process.

Tyler Morales2 said:Alright, so can you actually get those injections anywhere around here, maybe through a private clinic?
In America, that's just standard procedure.

It is certainly possible. You simply purchase them. Provided you have a prescription, of course.

Did you happen to find it tucked away in the chair? 😕