Anthony Nguyen81 said:I don't report every single post of yours. I only flag the ones that clearly break the rules when it catches my eye. Despite how loosely you define things, there are far too many posts from you that violate our guidelines.
If you spot someone breaking the rules... you're doing the community a favor by pointing out their mistakes.
Then why aren't you being objective? Why don't you call out other users who agree with you when they break the rules? When insults were involved, that "honest moderator" impulse seemed to disappear. Look, Rachel Richardson, what we actually need is an impartial moderator and consistent standards. It isn't helpful when we all act as judge and jury based on our own personal biases.
Anthony Nguyen81 said:Be my guest. Rules exist for a reason. They should apply to everyone equally.
I don't think anyone benefits from weaponizing the report button just to harass people or waste a moderator's time. One ought to be realistic and actually think before reporting something based on some conspiracy theory.
The fact that I don't submit many reports isn't because you all are doing a great job—objectively, you aren't. It's simply because I'm not a complainer and I don't hold any grudges against anyone here. I'm saying this so there's no misunderstanding regarding how often certain users get flagged.
The issue is your conduct. You just circle the same topics. When asked for a source, you either dodge the question or drop a link to something you haven't even read. Follow the forum rules properly, and nobody will have a reason to complain about you.
As for everything else, if it helps, instead of reporting your posts for violating the PDF guidelines and various other forum rules, I’ll just send a PM to the moderator. Hopefully, that ensures the rules are actually respected.
So that's how we're playing this? Am I supposed to report every single thing you or your allies do as well? Should I remind the moderation team about how they agreed to report my every move until they finally reach their goal of erasing me from history? As far as you're concerned, it's clear to everyone else that your definition of trolling is incredibly broad. Are you planning on spamming the moderator with reports then?
Sandra Brown18 said:Of course, you’re entitled to your opinion. Just like everyone else on this thread. At least we can agree on one thing: everyone seems to think I'm on the opposing side. 😁
Hints of objectivity, perhaps. 😉 In reality, a handful of people here would be thrilled if they could just get me banned or harassed every time I post something they don't like—which is basically anything that challenges their narrative—while they continue to do whatever they please. That's why they're attacking me.
Sandra Brown18 said:Barack Obama also picked up 500 points because of some other deleted post. I mean, if someone disagrees with the main argument, they should back it up with different sources. You don't. You just keep circling back to the same points over and over.
Like I said, that’s just your take. It feels like you give others an easier pass, perhaps due to your own worldview. That’s pretty much the definition of being biased. You're the moderator, and whether I like it or not, I have to respect that. But if I feel there's an unfairness at play—and I do—then I need to say it. I'm not trying to be difficult here, so please don't take it that way.
Sandra Brown18 said:Jose Clark2, you consistently ignore the rules, specifically the requirement to cite sources. Objectivity isn't even worth discussing since you aren't the only one pushing back against those complaining users. However, when other users disagree with one another, they provide sources and follow the rules without complaint. They actually argue with substance. You don't.
My debates and my questioning of their claims are reasoned and often rooted in pure logic. If we all just act like parrots, repeating Fox or quoting others without any critical thought, then this isn't a discussion or a community. As for those few people filing complaints against me, the motive is obvious, and it largely stems from the issue of sources. It's surprising that someone meant to be a moderator—someone who should be objective and impartial—either doesn't see this or chooses to ignore it. You also recently handed 500 points to a user for being outright abusive, yet you bypassed amberwalker4, who deserved at least the same amount. But sure, I'm sure you'll claim you're just responding to reports rather than acting on your own authority.
Sandra Brown18 said:Guys, some of you have been breaking the rules, though nowhere near as much as Jose Clark2. Jose was getting warnings and bans, while I’ve had to clear out a lot of posts. Please bear with me; I’m a new moderator and there’s a lot to handle. Only amberwalker4 sent their report via PM. Everyone else used email, and since my inbox is acting up, I'm missing things. It's better to send reports through PM if you want a quick response.
I strongly object to this. If this is how you actually feel, your objectivity as a moderator is highly questionable based on past performance.
Greetings. A question for the internists or anyone with medical insight. Over the last year or two, I've noticed my red blood cell count creeping up. My latest labs showed an RBC of 6.24 million and a hematocrit of 0.525. I went through a full workup with a hematologist and everything else came back normal; erythropoietin was 16 (range 4-33). JAK2 mutation was negative. White cells and platelets are fine, so we're looking at isolated erythrocytosis. I don't smoke, and I certainly don't live in the Rockies. Interestingly, my MCV is at the lower limit (84.2) while my MCH is slightly low (26.8).
I'm feeling a bit lost here. Any thoughts on what the next step might be?
Nicole Chavez5 said:Following a recent pituitary surgery, I’ve been put on a corticosteroid regimen—three tablets daily—that looks to be a lifelong commitment. In the rush to finally get rid of the prolactinoma, I neglected to ask my doctors about the long-term fallout of the procedure itself. Now, I find myself in a frustrating position where hormones that were perfectly balanced before the operation are completely out of whack. Talking to others who rely on steroids for different conditions, I've learned—and can certainly feel on my own skin—just how much they suppress the immune system, spike blood pressure, and trigger a host of other side effects. But more than anything, there is the mental toll of managing daily pills. I was someone who never even reached for an aspirin because my health was flawless; now, my entire routine revolves around medication. Does anyone here know if there are any alternative treatments that could replace this steroid cocktail? Is there actually a way to step off this medication eventually?
What makes you think the steroids are for life? Was this your first pituitary surgery, or have you had one before?
Brian Barrett4 said:Right. So you think I should get
"a B-hCG and tumor marker panel, along with an abdominal ultrasound and a urologist consultation including a testicular ultrasound"?
I’ve also been taking zinc and magnesium daily for months, so my levels shouldn't be bottoming out. I only recently stopped.
I was mostly using them because I hit the gym regularly and they helped me sleep.
Exactly. Once you've had a break from any supplements that might affect your hormones, re-run the estradiol test. Start with the B-HCG and AFP markers, plus basic liver function tests—specifically ALT, AST, and GGT. If anything falls outside the normal range, then we look into more intensive testing.
That’s just to rule certain variables out; you can never be too careful. Once those are off the table, you start looking at other culprits like excessive aromatase activity or a zinc deficiency. Anyway, zinc is an easy supplement to add, and there are plenty of other ways to dial back aromatization—some even involve highly effective medications.
I’m referring to the baseline estradiol levels prior to starting that herbal supplement. Specifically, those initial readings.
The estradiol situation seems a bit off. Usually, elevated estradiol tends to suppress testosterone, which doesn't seem to be happening in your case. You should probably get that lab work redone. I'd also suggest getting a blood test for B-hCG and tumor markers, along with an abdominal ultrasound, a urology consult, and a testicular ultrasound.
What medication are you currently on? And what were your levels looking like before starting the estradiol? You can't always trust a single estradiol test result; I’d suggest getting it checked again, maybe at a different lab like Quest Diagnostics...
What’s your weight, exactly? Are you overweight or just carrying some extra body fat? Also, how old are you, what kind of health issues are you dealing with, and what was the reason for doing hormone testing in the first place?
Not quite so fast. Even if those testosterone levels clearly point to a deficiency based on what you’ve described, you still need a full workup from an endocrinologist. They'll likely want an MRI of the pituitary gland to rule out any underlying issues. You have to determine if there's a fixable cause disrupting your production—for instance, checking your prolactin levels or ruling out a pituitary adenoma. If everything comes back clear and there's still no explanation, then lifelong hormone replacement therapy is simply the reality.
Hello, if you haven't already, get some hormone panels done; specifically TSH, fT3, fT4, along with LH, FSH, Prolactin, and definitely Testosterone. Have you noticed any specific symptoms regarding this, such as a drop in libido or issues with erections?
How long does this state persist? How much fluid are you actually losing? You should track your 24-hour urine output—skip the first morning sample and include the last one from the following day. Also, get a referral for bloodwork. Check your glucose and electrolytes, along with a urinalysis to monitor specific gravity and kidney function. Hi there.