Posts by vividsailor7

crimsongull94 said:Hi everyone. I’m posting here because I honestly don't know where else to turn. It's about my father—he's 59 and just got discharged from the Internal Medicine ward with an urgent recommendation for an outpatient liver MRI.
Basically, he was hospitalized due to decompensated liver cirrhosis (alcohol-related, Hepatitis C positive). The gastroenterologist ordered a CT angio because his ascites made getting a decent Ultrasound nearly impossible. The CT angio shows: pleural effusion at the base of the lungs; esophagus thickened from varices; a small liver with wavy contours and a non-homogeneous, diffuse, mottled parenchyma. There's a hypovascular change of 0.5cm in the left lobe—maybe a cyst?—and an avascular lesion in segment 5 measuring 1.4 cm. Right next to that lesion, moving caudally, there's a focal lesion measuring 2.8cm, which is inhomogeneously hypervascular during the arterial phase and inhomogeneous in the venous phase, though one can be glimpsed in the delayed phase. The etiology is unclear; it could represent a primary tumor or a metastasis. No obvious pathological arterial vascularization is visible, and there isn't a complete wash-out in the later imaging phases. His spleen is enlarged, the splenoportal axis veins are patent, and the portal vein measures 1.4 cm. Near the portal vein and the atrophied pancreas, there are enlarged lymph nodes measuring 3-5 cm.

The discharge diagnosis—or part of it anyway—is HCC vs. observation; Hepatitis C; Cirrhosis, Child-Pugh Class B; bacterial peritonitis; and Grade III esophageal varices. etc...

So, they recommended an MRI as soon as possible. But get this: the major hospital in the middle of the city couldn't even schedule him for an MRI—the waitlist is massive!
Does anyone here have enough experience to advise us on how truly urgent this MRI is (days? weeks?) and what the likelihood is that we're looking at HCC? Can an MRI actually rule it out?

One crucial thing I didn't mention: his alpha-fetoprotein is 124 ug/l. They haven't determined the HCV titer yet. My father is on antibiotics and diuretics (hell much), but the ascites isn't really draining... plus, his legs are "slightly" edematous. Shortness of breath, frequent coughing, shallow breathing—this stuff has become his "new normal." How long does it take for diuretics and steroids to start working? Currently, his regimen is: Aldactone 100mg; Lasix 2 x40mg; Ramed 5mg; Norvasc 10 mg; Physiotens 0.4 mg; Propranolol 2X20 mg, and Controloc 40 mg. Thank you so much. 😳))

You can't just throw diagnoses at me and expect a sensible response.
I was being a bit vague regarding the HCC in my previous post, and for a specific answer, I still need the rest of the blood work and X-ray results.
AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, PROVIDE A BLOOD PRESSURE LOG!!!

Drew Edwards36 said:I’m 22 years old, and about two years ago, I had something that felt like a seizure... though I honestly don't know if it was epilepsy yet. Basically, I was feeling pretty off all afternoon, and later that evening, I went down to a local CVS to pick up some photos. That's when it happened. I walked up to the counter to ask if my prints were ready, and from that exact moment, everything just goes blank for maybe a minute or two. At least, that's what the girl working there told me. She said she tried to answer me and asked follow-up questions, but I didn't react at all—I don't even remember it. According to her, I just stood there with this completely vacant stare. Once the fog cleared, I repeated the exact same question about the photos, even though she had already answered me during those two minutes I was "out." I was positive I hadn't asked yet! Anyway, I just went home. I felt incredibly strange afterward—just this overwhelming, general weakness. I can't even put it into words. Since then, it's happened a few more times, and I've noticed a pattern: it always seems to happen during intense heat waves in the summer, even though I try my best to stay out of the sun. For context, I was a micro-preemie—born at only 3.7 lbs, 16 inches long, and spent my first month and a half in the NICU. I was on oxygen for 15 days and was given Phenobarbital for reasons I don't fully recall, but my discharge papers mentioned tremors, apnea attacks, and central nervous system irritation. When I was about 2.5 years old, I had febrile seizures that were classified as status epilepticus because they lasted nearly 45 minutes.
..which meant a two-week stay in pediatric neurology. They started me on Phenobarbital, but I had another seizure two months later, so they switched my meds to Apilepsin. I stayed on that until I was seven, and after that, I stopped going for follow-ups.
Now, I finally went back to a neurologist, and my EEG showed dysrhythmic changes... but he barely said anything. He was kind of an arrogant jerk. He just noted that I should get an MRI and some blood work done. Meanwhile, my primary care doctor thinks this might be complex partial epilepsy and insists I need a full neurological workup—an EEG after sleep deprivation, a polysomnography, the whole nine yards. Has anyone else dealt with similar symptoms? Or does anyone here have this specific type of epilepsy? Please, I need some advice.

I am 100% with the primary care doctor on this one.

urbandrifter4 said:Discharge diagnosis: C22.0 Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Diagnosis: C22.0 Hepatocellular carcinoma, inoperable.
C77.2 metastatic lymph nodes, bilateral.
I just received my diagnosis: C79.7 Metastatic carcinoma of the adrenal glands, bilateral. It’s a lot to process.
The diagnosis came back: C78.0 Metastatic lung cancer. It’s a heavy blow, and frankly, I’m still processing the sheer weight of it. This isn't just some minor health hiccup; we are looking at serious, aggressive malignancy that has moved beyond the primary site. It’s overwhelming, it's terrifying, and it's enough to make anyone want to scream at the sky.
C79.8 Metastatic lesion.
Hepatitis B (B18.1).
Cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C.
I10 Hypertension.
L08.9 Cellulitis of the lower leg, left side.
The doctor just handed me my new regimen, and honestly, it’s a lot to process. I'm looking at a strict liver-protecting diet combined with a heavy-duty cocktail of meds: Augmentin, Edemid, Aldactone, and Tarka. On top of all that, I've got chemotherapy on the horizon. It's a massive undertaking.
Bloodwork from two days ago—done specifically for chemo.
Here is the breakdown of my latest labs, and honestly, I’m looking at these numbers and feeling pretty fired up about them. It’s a lot to digest, but here is what we are dealing with: RBC is at 6.5, hemoglobin is sitting at 147, and hematocrit is 0.499. Then you have the MCV at 77.8, MCH at 22.9, and MCHC at 295. My platelets are hanging in there at 132, while the RDW is jumping up to 24.3. Lymphocytes are at 14, creatinine is at 230, potassium is 4.6, and CRP is 18.0.
I apologize if this comes across as a bit sloppy—my bad! But if anyone happens to have some insight based on what I've laid out here, I would truly appreciate it.

We’re looking at inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma—HCC. It’s the heavy hitter here, accounting for as much as 90% of cases. To make matters even worse, about 70% of those patients are also dealing with cirrhosis.
Look, you can get lost in all the technical classifications if you want—you’ve got the growth patterns like expansive, infiltrative, diffuse, or mixed, plus the histological types like poorly differentiated or pseudoglandular—but honestly? That doesn't matter for what we're talking about here. The cold, hard truth is that almost all liver tumors are chemoresistant. It's the same story with radiation, too. Why? Because you simply cannot push the dosage high enough without destroying the healthy liver tissue first. The tolerance levels just aren't there.
You missed one of the three primary etiological factors for the Hepatitis B virus—you didn't even mention alcoholism!
Radiation might play a minor role in palliative care, sure, but let’s not pretend it’s a magic bullet.
The surgery turned out to be a bit of a success, actually. Because we caught the tumor earlier than expected, the survival odds are looking much better. It’s a massive relief.
When it comes to chemotherapy, you can go with Doxorubicin. There have been plenty of cases where it’s actually indicated to bring about full remission.
To be honest, I don't even know what the patient's blood pressure reading is right now, but if you ask me? Get that Tarka out of the equation immediately. We’re only using Klavobel because of the cellulite issues, and let's face it—it's just a heavy-duty diuretic. There isn't any significant finding on the pelvic exam to justify it, and the primary physician already started them on Vitamin K anyway. Just get rid of it.
Look, I’m just speaking my mind here based on what I've been reading on this forum—I don't have a medical degree or access to the actual clinical charts—but if you ask me? Skip the chemo. It’s a no from me. At this stage, the focus really needs to shift toward palliative care instead.
I’m also strongly advising regular monitoring of PT/INR levels. You really need to keep a close eye on that because there's a legitimate risk of coagulation issues stemming from a deficiency in Vitamin K. On top of that, you should be consistently checking your Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Glucose, Creatinine, Urea, Blood Pressure, and Arterial Blood Sugar levels. Don't skip these.
It’s all coming down to the paraneoplastic syndromes—we're looking at erythrocytosis, hypercalcemia, and that whole mess of hepatico-renal issues involving the kidneys, not to mention the hepatopulmonary syndrome.
If anything still seems unclear, don't hesitate—just ask. I'm happy to clarify.

graniteridge5 said:Did I just completely screw over my mom by overwhelming her with all those immune-boosting teas and supplements? Honestly, if I did, I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself.
I’m looking for some advice on what actually works for a cough... my mom is struggling so much that she sometimes feels like she can't even catch her breath. I've been making her bay leaf tea with honey, but honestly? It feels like it's barely doing anything at all.

Regarding that cough—is it productive, or is it just a dry one?
Look, let's be real here: that dry cough is almost certainly just a lingering symptom of the underlying illness. Because of that, you really ought to consider using codeine phosphate or maybe some Pholcodin to get it under control.
If you’re dealing with a productive cough, honestly, don't just sit there. You need to get some kind of expectorant in your system to help clear that gunk out—something like Mucinex or Bisolex.

melloworca6 said:So, can a urine test come back totally clean even when there's actually something going on with the kidneys?

I'm asking because I've never done a 24-hour urine collection before. They always check my kidney function using just the standard urinalysis, and the results always look fine. I'm trying to figure out if that basic test is actually enough, or if I should be pushing for the 24-hour test instead.

If I recall your situation correctly, there was absolutely nothing wrong with your 24-hour proteinuria levels.

melloworca6 said:I’ve got a quick question. Can a standard urinalysis—you know, the kind where they take a sample during a routine checkup—actually catch if something is wrong with your kidneys? In other words, is it possible to get a perfectly clean report even when there's an underlying issue with the kidneys?

When it comes to urine, you might see things like casts, proteins, or the usual suspects like white or red blood cells.
As for a Complete Blood Count (CBC), if someone is dealing with advanced kidney disease, it might show up as normocytic normochromic anemia. However, an iron deficiency could also be lurking in the background.
So, yes, the results can absolutely look fine on paper.

Betty Sanchez58 said:Apologies to the moderators—I already posted this over on the Thyroid board, but I wanted to ask here too: what exactly is ionized calcium?
Mine came back low, so I'm trying to wrap my head around it. On the thyroid thread, I mentioned having symptoms like tingling in my hands, and sometimes when I wake up in the morning, it feels like my hands aren't even mine... they just feel completely numb.
I don't actually have a thyroid, but I had two parathyroid glands removed, yet nobody has ever checked my calcium levels because I never thought to bring it up.

Look, I honestly have no idea what "low" even implies in this context.
Regardless, you need a full workup: total Ca, Ca++, P, PTH, plus a 24-hour urine test for both Ca and P.

amberraven23 said:Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and just turned 18, so I wanted to drop by and say hi! 😁 Basically, I recently dealt with a small hemorrhoid. And, because I’m a genius, before I even thought about telling my parents I had some kind of medical issue, I decided to diagnose myself using my absolute best friend—THE INTERNET. After scouring the web, I convinced myself I had a perianal abscess. I was freaking out thinking I’d need surgery, reading all this horrific crap online, and spiraling into a total depression immediately... ADVICE: stop reading too much stuff online because half of it is straight-up garbage. Just go to a doctor; they actually know what they're doing and will give you a real diagnosis... So, after a week of agonizing pain, I finally bit the bullet and told my parents. We went to see a wonderful private specialist (who I also see because I have Crohn disease 😢), and he took one look and told me it was just a hemorrhoid. My parents were incredibly relieved, breathing a huge sigh of relief, but I was still pretty shaken up because of everything I'd read... He prescribed FACT cream and FACT suppositories (I ABSOLUTELY HATE SUPPOSITORIES!!! -.- ). I used two and told him there was no way in hell I was doing more than that. Instead, I just applied the FACT cream and sat in cold water for five minutes whenever I bathed (cold water really helps bring down the swelling). I did that for about 4 or 5 days, then stopped, and realized the hemorrhoid had receded. I'm happy and satisfied... 😁 That FACT cream actually works! (Y)
Hemorrhoids happen because people aren't active enough—basically sitting for too long—or because of a bad diet that makes stools hard, or from straining during bowel movements, or even just sitting on the toilet for way too long due to pressure imbalances and stuff like that. Moving more, eating a healthy and varied diet (I eat everything, but obviously make sure to have at least one piece of fruit every day), and staying hydrated are all great for this... Anyway, I hope that helps you... Personally, that cream really worked for me and doctors prescribe it to everyone, so just try it; you've got nothing to lose 🙂 Keep in mind that my hemorrhoid was external, but there are internal ones too (for those, the suppositories are good because they work from the inside—if you can stomach them, that is). Good luck and take care! 🙂

I agree with you, though I should add a small disclaimer: in your case, we're talking about perianal issues stemming from Crohn disease, which is a bit different from most of the other cases discussed on this thread.

urbandrifter4 said:Sending my best wishes to everyone, though I truly regret that we even have to be discussing a topic like this.
It’s with a heavy heart that I share that my husband’s father has been diagnosed with liver cancer. I’m reaching out here hoping someone with enough patience might be willing to help clarify things for us; we are completely overwhelmed right now and having a hell of a time getting any straight answers.
He’s being treated in the nephrology department at a hospital outside of New York City where he first received his diagnosis—first cirrhosis, then Hepatitis C, and now the liver tumor. This hospital doesn't actually have its own oncologist on staff; the specialist travels in from New York City. Because of that, none of our family was present during the consultations between the patient and the oncologist. We haven't even been able to get in touch with the doctor to hear what was actually said. When we tried to explain that the patient is in a semi-conscious state and barely remembers the conversation, they just brushed us off, refusing to listen. The attending physician gave us nothing but vague, useless information, hiding behind the excuse that since he isn't an oncologist, he can't provide details. He told us the tumor has progressed to a stage where surgery isn't an option anymore; it has metastasized to the spleen and other organs (we aren't sure which ones yet). Chemotherapy has been prescribed, and he starts his first session this Monday.
We haven't even received his discharge papers yet because apparently, they aren't ready.
A massive issue we're facing is fluid retention. He’s on certain pills that, in our opinion, aren't doing a damn thing. His GP told us to just monitor his reactions—sometimes giving him the full dose, sometimes half—but in the few days he's been home, there has been absolutely zero improvement. His skin is cracking, and he seems more bloated with water every single day. Is it normal for the medication to have zero effect, or should we perhaps be looking into different tablets?
His immune system is failing him more and more every day; he looks visibly weaker. I understand these are the natural consequences of everything happening, but when we asked for advice on how to boost his immunity, the doctor's response was simply to take Silymarin supplements to support liver function and eat more fruits and vegetables. That's it! "Nothing else is needed!" I see people here mentioning all sorts of supplements to strengthen the immune system, so do we really have to scavenge the internet ourselves just to find information because doctors refuse to even offer suggestions?
In the discharge instructions he received, a "liver-protective diet" was suggested (it might not be called exactly that, you guys know the drill), so if anyone could elaborate on what that actually entails, I'd appreciate it. According to our doctor, it's a diet where you can eat almost anything as long as it isn't extremely fatty or involves alcohol.
The last explanation we got from the doctor was that if we have further questions, we should ask the oncologist administering the chemo. Until then, I am pleading with anyone who has knowledge about this disease or knows where else we should turn. Do we have the right to seek a second opinion in New York City? Are there any other possible treatment avenues left? I would be incredibly grateful for any help. Feel free to PM me.

So, he isn't in the hospital right now?
You need to list the diagnosis and the therapy, along with whatever lab results they ran. The most important ones are Potassium, Sodium, Glucose, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, CBC, and anything else.

Kate Patel59 said:Female, 38 years old, BMI 34.6.
I’ve already been hit with a diagnosis of hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
I’ve been looking into the Siofor regimen—specifically taking 500mg twice a day—and I have some thoughts. It’s one thing to read about it on a medical site, but it's another thing entirely when you're actually dealing with the fallout of the treatment.
1,500 calorie diets? Honestly, I don't know where people get the nerve to suggest this kind of restriction. It’s absolute madness. You’re basically asking your body to run on fumes, and frankly, I think it's a recipe for disaster. I see people posting about these "miracle" low-calorie plans all over the internet, acting like they've discovered some secret shortcut to fitness. Newsflash: you can't sustain this without feeling like a complete zombie. One day you're fine, and the next, you're staring at a wall because your brain doesn't have enough fuel to function. It’s unsustainable, it’s punishing, and quite frankly, it’s insulting to anyone actually trying to build real, lasting health. If you want to lose weight, do it properly. Don't starve yourself just to hit a number on a spreadsheet. It's not worth the burnout.

My Endocrinologist ordered these tests for my follow-up appointment.

An HbA1c of 5.9? Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: you are officially sitting on the fence. You aren't quite in the "full-blown diabetic" territory yet, but you have definitely wandered past the healthy baseline and landed squarely in prediabetes. It’s a wake-up call. A loud, obnoxious, flashing neon sign telling you that your blood sugar management needs an immediate overhaul. You can't just ignore this number and hope it goes away. If I were you, I wouldn't be sitting around waiting for a miracle; I'd be looking at my diet, my activity levels, and my lifestyle choices immediately. It’s time to take control before that number climbs any higher.

TSH is sitting at 2.17 (normal range: 0.27-4.2).
T3 levels at 1.5 (with a range of 1.3–3.1).
T4 at 65? That’s just... wow. I don't even know where to start with this one. It feels like we're constantly dancing around these numbers, trying to make sense of them, only to be met with more questions instead of answers! (66-181)

ACTH? Seriously? We’re really going there? I feel like I’m constantly seeing people throw around acronyms without any clue how deep the rabbit hole actually goes. You can't just toss "ACTH" into a conversation like it's some casual bit of trivia. This is core endocrinology! We are talking about the master controller here—the messenger from the pituitary that tells your adrenal glands to get to work. If your ACTH levels are off, everything else follows suit. It’s not just a number on a lab report; it’s the driver of the whole engine. When this thing starts acting up, you aren't just looking at a minor glitch; you're looking at potential Addison's or Cushing's territory. It's high stakes. People need to stop treating these hormonal markers like they're just checking the weather. Get it right or don't talk about it!
8 hours. A reading of 14.10. And the reference range? 9.6 to 49.7. Talk about a massive gap.
17h 4,2

Cortisol. Let's talk about it. Everyone wants to run to Google the second they feel a little stressed, thinking their hormones are completely out of whack, but nobody actually understands the sheer complexity of this stuff. It’s not just some "stress hormone" you can fix with a handful of herbal tea or a yoga class. It is a fundamental, heavy-hitting regulator that dictates how your entire body functions—from your metabolism to your immune response. When things go sideways, they go sideways fast. You aren't just feeling "tired"; you're dealing with a systemic disruption. It’s frustrating how often people dismiss these symptoms as just being "burnt out" when there is a legitimate physiological battle happening under the surface. We need to stop trivializing endocrine health. If your cortisol levels are spiking or crashing, you aren't just having a bad day—your chemistry is actively working against you.
8h 613 (260-720)
I am still waiting on an update from the lab regarding those results. It’s been nearly 24 hours and the silence is absolutely deafening. Honestly, the lack of communication at this facility is nothing short of incompetent. You'd think with all the technology they have, getting a simple report wouldn't be such a monumental struggle. I'm sitting here staring at my phone like a fool while they drag their feet. Unbelievable. 405 (50-350)

I just got my results back, and I’ve been staring at them for an hour. My 24-hour urine cortisol came in at 85.9, which falls within the standard range of 38 to 208. Total urine volume was 710 ml. Honestly, looking at these numbers feels like a bit of a toss-up, and I'm feeling pretty restless about it. What do you all think?

Growth hormone at 1.58 (
IGF-1 is sitting at 21.4. The standard range is listed from 13.9 to 40.5.

To top it all off, the endocrinologist I was seeing privately just stopped practicing. So now? I’m left high and dry with absolutely no one to show these lab results to. Just great. 🤷

Honestly, I’ve been noticing this myself—the volume of urine seems unusually low. It’s actually pretty strange, if you ask me.
The lab results look fine on the surface, but we’ve got a major problem here: there's no reference range provided for the midday ACTH levels. Plus, the picture is way too incomplete to make any real sense of this. I need more data! Where are the details on purple striae? Is there moon face? What about hypertension? We also need fasting and post-meal glucose levels, along with the transaminase numbers. You can't just throw half a puzzle at me and expect a diagnosis.

Joseph Hall4 said:Listen, I’ve got something to say.

I have a question regarding elevated total Bilirubin levels and being on Accutane for acne.

Male, 22 years old.

BIOCHEMISTRY
So, my cholesterol came back at 4.58. Honestly? I’m fuming. I feel like I did everything by the book, and yet here we are looking at numbers that aren't exactly where I want them to be. It’s frustrating as hell when you're trying to stay on top of your health and the results still leave you feeling like you're failing some invisible test. Is anyone else dealing with this kind of nonsense right now?
My triglycerides are sitting at 1.19.
Total Bilirubin levels. 22.80
AST 16. That’s it. Just a number on a lab report. Simple, right? Wrong. For anyone who actually pays attention to their bloodwork, seeing these individual markers pop up can feel like staring at a cryptic code you can't crack. It's frustrating when you're looking for clear answers and all you get is a single data point floating there in the void.
My ALT is at 16.
My GGT came back at 21.
ALP 63. Just stating the facts.

To be honest, I’m starting to have serious doubts—just like my endocrinologist—about whether this is actually Gilbert's syndrome. My Bilirubin levels are constantly hovering right around 21 to 23, and they never once break 24.

I have a question for you all from your perspective: what kind of potential side effects or impacts can we actually expect from Accutane? And more broadly, could someone explain the actual significance of this syndrome?

Thanks.

Get those lab results organized.

wiredmarlin29 said:I need some help here. Please, I’m asking for assistance.
I’m heading in for bloodwork tomorrow—they're demanding my latest lab results.
I need to get my Urea and Creatinine levels checked before I head in for that knee MRI.
First question: why on earth are they asking for that much just for a magnet?
Second question: I finished drinking at 7 PM.
Just one shot of whiskey. Is it going to show up on the tests?
I just got my bloodwork back, and they actually ran an alcohol test.
I’m heading in for bloodwork tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM.
Thanks in advance!

If you're getting an MRI, they’re going to demand kidney function tests first. Don't sweat what you've eaten lately—it has absolutely zero impact on those specific results.

Karen Martin75 said:Let's try another brainless question;

If I had my exam done at the Emergency Room mentioned above and the report says

"after completing therapy, undergo follow-up checkup in the USA by the attending physician"

where am I supposed to go for the follow-up? To my primary care doctor? Or to the Sisterhood of Mercy? 🤔

You go to your primary care doctor,
and on all reports from HP, we write "undergo follow-up in the USA"—at least I do. From what I've seen on reports from HP or my internist—and even my urologist—my colleagues do the exact same thing.
It's just a precaution in case a patient forgets something—something trivial, obviously—and since primary care doctors have somehow turned into mere bureaucrats who don't use their brains, it prevents any potential lawsuits or whatever else might pop up.

crimsonhawk5 said:I’m running a fever between 98.6 and 100.4, feeling totally wiped out, nauseous, and getting this weird tingling sensation in my hands. I’ve also been dealing with frequent trips to both the bathroom and the toilet, plus some dizzy spells.
Regarding concerns about an autoimmune issue, my infectious disease specialist noted a diagnosis of chronic colitis.
My internist wrote down: status febrile tracheitis, colitis under observation, and possible celiac disease.
Then the immunologist noted: subfebrile status under observation.

As for the test results, everything looks normal except for the abdominal ultrasound, which showed significant gas buildup in the colon. Also, my tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTg-IgG) came back at 58 U/ml (where anything over 20 is considered positive). A full colonoscopy didn't show any abnormalities. I'm not on any medication right now. Thanks in advance!

Things have improved significantly, but you absolutely need to schedule a GI consult for an EGD and a deep duodenoscopy with biopsies.
Get those done—or repeated—before you go in for bloodwork like a CBC, CRP, transaminases, Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, CK, LDH, EMA, IgA, and gliadin IgG antibodies.
There is more than enough reason here to strongly suspect celiac disease.

silvercanyon7 said:Hey everyone,

Maybe someone else has already posted about this, but I honestly don't have the bandwidth to scroll through every single thread, so I’m just going to ask you all directly:
My dad has a neuroendocrine tumor. He's been through chemo and ten days of radiation. In about two or three days, he starts rehab—the main focus is physical therapy so he can actually stand on his own two feet again. For the last ten days or so, he's been relying on a walker.
While he was in the hospital, he lost quite a bit of weight. Now, we're working hard to strengthen his body and get more calories into him. Thankfully, his appetite is good; he’s feeling better now and the pain has subsided. He says the radiation actually made him feel like he's back in the land of the living.

Does anyone have suggestions regarding nutrition? I feel like I should know so much about diet, but when it comes to healthy people who are active, I'm fine—but when it's something like *this*, I feel like a total amateur.
I want him to gain weight as quickly as possible because I know he needs that energy for his rehab and his training sessions.

Everything happened so incredibly fast here in the States (he got the diagnosis back in June). I'm riding these massive waves of emotion myself, but I have to stay strong for him. I'm just grateful we're in this together, fighting this fight side-by-side.

Once I'm a little more mentally stable (I'm currently seven and a half months pregnant, so let's be honest, the hormones are definitely playing a part in how I'm feeling), I'll try to write something more detailed.

I wish all of you, and myself, nothing but the absolute best. What we are going through is profoundly unfair, but we can't lose hope. We have to give everything we've got to push through these crises and these heavy moments.

Which specific NET are we talking about? Pancreas? Other parts of the GI tract?
Because there are about a dozen different types, like gastrinoma, VIPoma, insulinoma, somatostatinoma, or glucagonoma.

mellowviper24 said:So, here is my complete blood work (values marked in bold are above the reference range):
ERYTHROCYTES (RBC) 4.69 ref. 3.86 to 5.08
HEMOGLOBIN (Hb) 133 g/L ref. 119 to 157
HEMATOCRIT (Hct) 0.394 L/L ref. 0.356 to 0.47
MCV 84.0 fL ref. 83 to 97.2
MCH 28.4 pg ref. 27.4 to 33.9
MCHC 338 g/L ref. 320 to 345
RDW 13.0 % ref. 9 to 15
MPV 7.3 fL ref. 6.8 to 10.4
PLATELETS (Plt) 341 10^9/L ref. 158 to 424
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (WBC) 10.20 H 10^9/L ref. 3.4 to 9.7
NEUTROPHIL GRANULOCYTES (%) 54.7 % ref. 44 to 72
LYMPHOCYTES (%) 29.4 % ref. 20 to 46
MONOCYTES (%) 9.8 % ref. 2 to 12
EOSINOPHILS (%) 3.6 % ref. up to 7
BASOPHIL GRANULOCYTES (%) 2.5 H % ref. up to 1
Neutrophil granulocytes (abs) 5.50 10^9/L 2.06 ref. up to 6.49
Lymphocytes (abs) 3.00 10^9/L ref. 1.19 to 3.35
Monocytes (abs) 1.00 H 10^9/L ref. 0.12 to 0.84
Eosinophils (abs) 0.40 10^9/L ref. up to 0.43
Basophil granulocytes (abs) 0.30 H 10^9/L ref. up to 0.06
IRON (Fe) 12 μmol/L ref. 8-30

I am 36 years old and I get blood work done twice a year just for routine checks.
For the past week, I’ve been feeling exhausted and sleepy. I have asthma, and my current treatment includes Advair and Tafcin.
As for other medications, I take Zoloft for an anxiety disorder.
I haven't had allergies before, but over the last two weeks, I've had a runny nose, frequent sneezing, and sinus pain.
Regarding the elevated white blood cell count, I should mention that my results have usually been closer to the upper limit in the past (mostly around 7-8, sometimes even 9).
Pregnancy is ruled out.
Should I be worried about the elevated WBC, monocytes, and basophils?

Thanks in advance for any help!

There is no reason to panic. You probably just need to have your lungs listened to and make sure you're using your Advair correctly.
pp In case of an asthma exacerbation, you might need to start ABT.

coastalpanther87 said:Hi there,

I was wondering if someone could explain this thyroid ultrasound while we wait on the rest of my labs.
35-year-old male.
Left lobe 31x36x67mm
Right lobe 10x16x44mm
The left lobe is entirely taken up by an inhomogeneous nodule, which shows some cystic degeneration and extends toward the retrosternal area.
The right lobe shows a homogeneous echo distribution.

Thanks in advance,

You really need to get your thyroid hormone levels checked and likely get a biopsy of that mass, at least according to what an Endocrinology specialist would suggest.

Lawrence Rodriguez11 said:Hello,

I'm running tests for a standard surgery to deal with kidney stones in my renal pelvis. Some of these results are outside the normal range, and I don't quite understand the urine culture findings.
Besides bilateral kidney stones, I suffer from diffuse goiter due to hypothyroidism and take Synthroid 100mcg.

Urine culture result: more gram-positive bacteria >1000 < 10000 CFU/ML

Urinalysis microscopic sediment: leukocytes 8-10 (ref 0-2)
erythrocytes >50 (ref 0-2)
mucus 1+ (neg)

Bloodwork: chlorides 110 (ref 97-108)
CRP 5.4 (ref
So, I'm wondering if these results will affect the surgery.

The blood work looks fine, but you should probably redo the USA and urine sediment after ensuring proper hygiene.

redpilot37 said:Should I be worried if my iron is at 30 (ref. 9-30), and my white blood cell count is nearly at the upper limit, though still technically normal at 9.3 (ref. 3.4-9.7)? Would it be a good idea to check my iron again? Thanks. 🙂

redpilot37 said:I had headaches and prolonged diarrhea, but both my stool bacteriology and parasitology came back clear. Thanks. 🙂

The lab results look fine,
just stick to a diet for Th/colitis.

crimsonhawk5 said:I'm 28 years old, weighing about 120 lbs, and I don't have any history of chronic illness. For the last 8 months, I've been dealing with a sudden wave of health issues. It started with low-grade fevers—usually hovering around 99-100°F, though it fluctuates. Sometimes it stays right around 99.7°F all day for two weeks straight, then settles into a range of 99.0-99.5°F for a week, and so on. I’m also feeling this intense, heavy fatigue, and I've had persistent pain in my left shoulder blade along with really stiff, aching neck muscles. My digestion has been a mess since the fevers started; I deal with frequent diarrhea, occasional constipation, and just a general need to use the bathroom much more often than usual. My stomach also feels bloated and tight sometimes. An abdominal ultrasound showed some intestinal gas, which led my doctors (my internist, a gastroenterologist, and an infectious disease specialist) to suspect ulcerative colitis. However, a full colonoscopy came back completely normal. As for other tests, I've already done amoeba screening, stool cultures, occult blood tests, chest X-rays, a CBC, ESR, CRP, TSH, T3, T4, a full gynecological exam, urine cultures, and urinalysis—everything there was perfectly fine. Since my infectious disease markers were normal, my internist suggested looking into autoimmune issues, so she ordered C3, C4, RF, ANA, ENA, ANCA, anti-dsDNA, a full celiac panel, immunoelectrophoresis, and protein electrophoresis. Out of all those, the only thing that came back high was the tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTg-IgG) at 58 U/ml (where anything over 20 is positive). Because of work, I had to travel, so I wasn't able to follow up on further testing immediately. Since then, I've started feeling nauseous after eating, sometimes even throwing up after a meal. Also, being out in the sun seems to make everything worse. About two months ago, I noticed tingling in my left hand and fingers, and my veins would swell up quite a bit—sometimes enough to cause pain and itching. Now, that happens occasionally in my right hand too. Throughout all of this, I've also had urinary issues; I'm going incredibly frequently, maybe 15 to 20 times a day, sometimes more. Sometimes I have to strain hard to go, and even after I think I'm done, I still experience dripping. When I'm in the sun or exerting myself, I get dizzy and nauseous. The intensity of these symptoms fluctuates without any obvious pattern. Because this is making it impossible to work or do basic things, I finally saw an immunologist. They recommended I get an IEF, light chain testing, a urine culture, a cervical swab, and see a urologist, a hematologist, and check Ig levels, PPD, IgE, and cryoglobulins. Based on my results, they mentioned the possibility of a bone marrow biopsy. What could be going on in my case? Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance for any help!

A lot of rambling for very little substance. Here's the rule: state the problem in five sentences. List the most important diagnoses or suspicions using standard medical abbreviations like "dx," "obs," "i.o.," or "susp." And please, don't claim you don't have them when you clearly do.
Post the results
and the potential therapy.

dustycrane75 said:Doctors, listen up.

Could someone please help me make sense of these lab results?
Microbiology report / Sample type: Cervical swab / Test performed: Aerobic bacterial culture.
Physiological flora.

I think you might have cut off there! You only sent "i". What was it you were trying to say? I'm ready when you are.

I just got my lab results back—specifically the microbiology report from my urine sample—and we’re looking at the aerobic bacterial culture. Here's the breakdown.
Bacterial count: 10 CFU/ml (on the second one).
The concept of physiological flora—the very foundation of our biological ecosystem—is something people constantly overlook, and frankly, it drives me insane. We talk about health like it’s just some checklist of vitamins and minerals, but we completely ignore the massive, complex community of microorganisms living within us that actually makes life possible. It isn't just "there"; it is an active, breathing part of our physiology. If you aren't respecting that internal balance, you're fighting a losing battle.

I’ve always had sterile results in the past, so I have to admit, I’m feeling a little anxious about this one. Just as a heads-up—I did use a vaginal probiotic two or three days before the test.

Thanks in advance!
A

Get these results organized.

Samuel Ortiz30 said:I just got my thyroid hormone labs back today, and I’ve been on therapy for a while now.
TSH at 0.03? Are you kidding me? That is absolutely bottomed out. We aren't even talking about "low" anymore; we are deep in the basement. If you're feeling like your heart is doing a drum solo in your chest or you can't stop sweating, there's your answer. This isn't just a minor fluctuation—it's a massive red flag that your thyroid is running wild. Get to an endocrinologist immediately. Don't sit around waiting for it to fix itself; it won't.
T3-0.9
I don't know what you're trying to get at with this one, but let's be clear: if we're talking about T4-62, we need to stop dancing around the issue and look at the actual data. I've seen enough people misinterpret these specific markers to last a lifetime. You can't just glance at a lab report and think you have the full picture. It requires precision, focus, and—most importantly—an understanding of how these levels interact within the broader metabolic framework. Stop guessing. Get the facts straight.

Take a look at the very first post.

Karen Williams59 said:I had a liver transplant eight years ago, and honestly, I haven’t had any issues since then... In those first two years, my liver enzymes were running a bit high, but for a long time now, everything has been within the normal range. The only thing is my GGT stays slightly above the limit, but my doctors aren't even worried about it....
Now, there's one question that’s been eating at me for a while. I heard once that a transplanted organ has an expiration date—let's call it that... and I don't know if that's actually true. Can one organ, in this case a liver, really serve me until I'm old, or am I looking at another transplant down the road? I'm only 28 right now...

Anything is possible. The truth is, there isn't a second option, and you simply can't predict what will happen.

swiftbear86 said:The pharmacy staff actually did everything exactly right here.

I was scrolling through an old thread recently, and it got me thinking. I wanted to bump this topic up to see if everyone could jump in and share their own experiences. I have a few questions for you all:

a) Do you have a "go-to" pharmacy? What keeps you going back—is it the expertise, how friendly they are, or just because it's right around the corner?
b) Are you generally happy with the service and how knowledgeable the pharmacists are?
c) Can you actually tell a difference in the skill level of the staff?
d) What’s your ideal pharmacy experience? Do you want someone who really listens and smiles, or do you prefer they just give you a quick, direct recommendation for one specific product?
e) What are your biggest pet peeves when you walk into a pharmacy?
f) On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your usual pharmacy, and what’s the reason for that score?

If you're feeling ambitious, take a look at these articles and let me know what you think:

a-Yeah, mostly because of how nice they are, how much they know, and just pure habit.
b-Yes.
c-No.
d-They need to listen. Obviously, I don't want to sit there for two hours listening to a lecture on God-knows-what. Just give me clear, concise advice and offer up maybe three options.
e-Honestly? The crowds. Most people seem to have the exact same mindset, which leads to lines. Plus, some pharmacies—even though the staff is incredibly kind and smart—are just painfully slow.
f- A 9, for the reasons I mentioned above.

dustycrane75 said:Hey everyone,

I'm 29 years old and currently going through a battery of tests after some failed attempts to conceive. Among other things, I had my homocysteine levels checked.

Basically, my result came back at 6.9 umol/L (ref range 4-12 umol/L)

I see that it's well within the normal range, but here’s what’s actually bothering me:

I had no idea this test needed to be done on an empty stomach—I actually had a cup of Acidophilus yogurt about an hour before they drew my blood, and now I'm spiraling wondering how much that messed with the results. I know homocysteine is linked to folate and B12 levels in the body, and that yogurt definitely has those... though I don't know by how much. Could that have skewed my current level significantly?

Probably a stupid question, but thanks in advance for any insight,

A.

That looks like a perfectly normal result to me.

Lisa Myers said:If you don't mind me asking, how old are you and what exactly is your diagnosis?

I'm just entering my early forties.
Essential Hypertension diagnosis,
Hyperlipidemia,
and an old Hyperlipidemia Hyperuricemia diagnosis from nearly 20 years ago.
Currently on Ramipril, Amonex, Bisoprolol, Allopurinol, and Rosiglitazone.