Posts by Sandra Rivera37

vividsailor7 said:I agree that you can refuse diagnostic procedures, but without them, there is no accurate diagnosis, and consequently, no effective treatment.
That’s the point everyone seems to miss.
You have the right to say no, but don't expect the doctor who suggested those tests to provide a diagnosis or treatment afterward.
Especially in the case mentioned above.

I completely agree.🙂

I've already gone through with the immunology and hematology panels; I'm just waiting on the results now. The only thing I learned immediately was from my abdominal ultrasound, which showed my spleen looks shaped like a crescent moon—it's enlarged by about 2 cm. I doubt anyone can tell me exactly why my spleen has such an unusual shape.😁

You don't have to blindly follow every single order from your doctors. 🙂 You're allowed to make your own decisions. Sometimes, pure fear or a lack of information forces us to comply with every medical recommendation, even when those choices lead to unpleasant outcomes. Besides, doctors rarely agree with one another anyway.

Listen to your gut; you know your own body better than anyone else.

Good luck. 😉

Everyone except me gets an answer 😢
I'm trying to make sense of this low platelet aggregation. My doctor offered zero explanation—his only suggestion was that the lab might have just messed up the test. I'm scheduled for RF, ANF, ANCA, an abdominal ultrasound, c3, c4, CIC, and DKS (stat), plus a dermatology consult. They think it could be skin-related, though I doubt it since I dealt with similar issues as a kid. My mom is digging through old medical records now to see if we can find my childhood diagnosis.

here I am 🙂

So, I had my CBC redone

RBC: 4.0 (3.86-5.08)
Hgb: 127
Hematocrit: 0.366 (0.356-0.47)
MCV: 91.2
MCHC: 347 (320-345)
RDW: 12.9 (9-13.8)

WBC

L: 4.4 (3.4-9.7)
Neutrophils: 2.40
% : 55.2
Lymphocytes: 1.50
Lymph %: 34.0
Monocytes: 0.30
Mono %: 8.0
Eosinophils: 0.10
Eos %: 1.9
Basophils: 0.00
Baso %: 0.9

Platelets: 212
MPV: 7.3

Coagulation panel too

Fibrinogen: 2.2 (1.8-3.5)
PT: 80 (SHOULD BE UNDER 70)
INR: 1.11

ADP platelet aggregation: 52 (63.9-85.9)
Epinephrine platelet aggregation: 53 (58.5-93.4)
Collagen platelet aggregation: 64 (58.8-93.2)

My specific issues are detailed on page 138 (or maybe 137)

thanks 🙂

Kate Collins67 said:Petechiae—those tiny little red spots—can definitely show up as part of Hepatitis C. Honestly, this CBC doesn't tell us much about the actual status of the Hepatitis C itself. At most, it just provides some indirect evidence that we aren't looking at severe, chronic liver damage yet.

Regardless of the Hepatitis C status, if you’re seeing petechiae, get them to run a platelet aggregation test.

Thanks. 🙂

My primary care physician checked my results. He thinks my liver should be fine, but he’s referring me to a hematologist just to be safe. We'll see what happens next. 🙂

Thanks again. 😉

Thanks for the quick reply 🙂 I got a tattoo about 12 years ago. I know it was a risky move at the time.

CBC:

(vK) leukocyte 11.3 5.6 x109 /L 3.4 9.7
(vK) RBC 4.50 x1012/L 3.86 5.08
(vK) Hemoglobin (Hb) 126 g/L 119 157
(vK) Hematocrit (Hct) 0.383 L/L 0.356 0.470
(vK) MCV 85.1 fL 83.0 97.2
(vK) MCH 28.0 pg 27.4 33.9
(vK) MCHC 329 g/L 320 345
(vK) RDW 11.2 % 9.0 15.0
(vK) Platelets (Plt) 213 x109 /L 158 424
(vK) MPV 6.7 L fL 6.8 10.4
Differential
(vK) Neutrophils 3.44 x109 /L 2.06 6.49
(vK) Lymphocytes 1.37 x109 /L 1.19 3.35
(vK) Monocytes 0.52 x109 /L 0.12 0.84
(vK) Eosinophils 0.20 x109 /L 0.00 0.43
(vK) Basophils 0.07 H x109 /L 0.00 0.06
(vK) Neutrophils 61.5 rel % 44 72
(vK) Lymphocytes 24.5 rel % 20 46
(vK) Monocytes 9.2 rel % 2 12
(vK) Eosinophils 3.6 rel % 0 7
(vK) Basophils 1.3 H rel % 0 1

I redid the tests today. Everything is explained in detail on page 138 (or 137).

I ran some markers for Hepatitis C

I'm wondering about my results: ANTI HCV came back positive, but the HCV quantitative test was negative. What does that actually mean? (My liver enzymes are normal, and my liver ultrasound looks great.)

vividsailor7 said:And then we’ll act shocked and outraged when everyone starts talking about antibiotic resistance.🙂🙂🙄☕
Truly concerning and frankly terrifying, but unfortunately, this isn't an outlier. It's becoming the standard practice.

signature 😉

I was prescribed antibiotics for an earache. Naturally, I didn't take them, and the pain just went away on its own.🙂

vividsailor7 said:Go see an immunologist or a rheumatologist.

thanks 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

Maria Fisher46 said:Ma'am,

I didn't see anything in your previous posts mentioning a change or the presence of a liver lesion.

You mentioned having spider angiomas. While they can be a sign of chronic liver disease, they also show up in perfectly healthy people, during pregnancy, or due to thyroid issues, hormone use, birth control, and so on.

Since Dr. Hrvoje is participating in this thread—and he's a board-certified gastroenterologist—you should probably just type out the full ultrasound report. He can then give you his professional take and tell you what to do next.

I don't use birth control, I don't drink, and I've been pregnant twice, but I'm seeing new spiders appearing now.

ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND:

Liver appears homogeneous and normal in size with a standard echostructure. No pathologies detected. Portal vein: 12-13 mm.
Bile ducts show no dilation.
Gallbladder has a narrow lumen and thickened walls (postprandial state) but shows no visible pathology or abnormal contents.
Pancreas is normal in size and echostructure.
Spleen is slightly enlarged (10-20mm), measuring approximately 142mm in longitudinal diameter, with homogeneous parenchyma.
Kidneys are normal in position, shape, and size. No signs of kidney stones or hydronephrosis. No enlarged lymph nodes or free fluid detected in the abdomen or pelvis.

Results:

T3 - 1.47
T4 - 106.7
TSH - 1.37

IRON: 27!
UIBC: 40
TIBC: 67

I know everything looks fine. I have never had iron levels this good.🙂

(When I was eating meat, my iron was down to 2... now that my diet is mostly vegan, I'm at 27!)

Thanks to everyone for your time and answers.🙂

Honestly, I have no idea how to find the cause of my issues. Every single test comes back perfect.🙂 🙂 🙂

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear David Brown5,

Based on your medical history, I would strongly recommend consulting an internist. Take photos of those changes you mentioned and show them during your appointment.

An eye exam might rule out certain types of headaches—specifically ocular ones, though those are less common than other causes—but migraines, tension headaches, sinus issues, and most other varieties fall outside an ophthalmologist's scope. Consequently, an eye exam won't necessarily uncover the root cause of your headaches.

It is entirely possible for someone to have normal transaminase levels (liver enzymes) despite having viral hepatitis. In fact, nearly a third of patients with chronic Hepatitis C and confirmed liver damage still show normal serum aminotransferase values.

Best regards. 🙂

Great! Thanks so much for the response. I had an abdominal ultrasound done; my liver looks excellent, but my spleen is enlarged by about 10-20mm. My doctor says it's negligible.

Anyway, I'm going to get my iron levels and thyroid hormones checked next.
My primary care physician is stumped.

I saw a specialist privately, and they suspect an immune issue, especially given the Raynaud's syndrome 🙂 and the psoriasis I've developed.

If the ophthalmologist finds nothing, I'll see a neurologist. I'm hoping all these symptoms stem from a single issue so I can resolve this quickly. 🙂

(I really don't want to bounce from doctor to doctor.)

Nicholas, please, are those proven liver changes detected via ultrasound or through other methods? Thanks.

melloworca6 said:Here are some links for you: http://www.healthline.com/raynaud-disease, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raynaud%27s_phenomenon

I explained it in layman's terms earlier (and I might not be perfectly accurate), but essentially, it causes blood vessel spasms. This restricts blood flow, which leads to oxygen deprivation in the fingers—making them turn blue first and then white.

It may not even be related to those bruises of yours, but since you already have Raynaud's, you shouldn't just ignore these symptoms.

I suspect it’s linked to my rheumatoid arthritis. I don't recall the exact lab results, but I know my mother told me it's genetic. My RA is fine right now; it's been okay for the last few years, nothing major. It used to be brutal, though—during puberty, I could barely move my fingers.

I sent an inquiry to a private hematologist. I'm just waiting to hear back, assuming they aren't on vacation right now.🙂

I wasn't aware that Ray affects blood vessels; I’m actually quite uninformed on that subject. I'll look into getting a referral for a hematologist or just book a private appointment. Thanks for the advice. 🙂

melloworca6 said:So, you're dealing with Raynaud's too? Unfortunately, I am as well. Have you consulted an immunologist yet? They can usually determine if this is a standalone issue or just one symptom of a larger underlying condition.

I don't know. I think your general approach is a bit unprofessional. If you’re dealing with Ray and things like this are happening regardless of the clinical findings, you should be sent to a specialist. They need to dig deeper and provide actual guidance if further action is required.

I saw an immunologist quite a while ago, and honestly, they did more for me than any other doctor I’ve been referred to. They put me on some immune-boosting injections and certain drops, then gave me strict orders not to catch more than two colds a year—apparently, that triggers inflammation in the joints, if my memory serves me right.

I’ve always held my OB-GYN in high regard, though I haven't actually sat in her office for at least five years. Honestly, everything would probably be fine if I just nodded along and agreed with every single thing she says. My only concern is finding out the actual cause. If it's harmless, great. If it isn't, I want it fixed. I have two small kids at home; I can't afford to deal with health issues right now.🙂

My doctor ordered hepatitis A and B markers for me. I also have some spider nevi to check out, though they've been there forever. If my liver function tests came back normal, I don't see why I need to run these additional markers. Is it actually possible to have hepatitis even if the initial labs look fine? I’m also seeing an ophthalmologist in two weeks for a deep dive into these headaches. Maybe the eye exam will shed some light on things; from what I understand, you can read a lot into the eyes.

What caused your R. syndrome?

I have Raynaud syndrome. During the winter months, my joints swell up and ache, and my hands get extremely cold and turn a purplish hue. This past winter, my knee swelled up too, which was incredibly painful. I'm assuming we're dealing with some kind of inflammatory process here. :P

Maria Fisher46 said:Ma'am,

Did this bruising tendency start recently, or has it been an ongoing issue? Is there any history of easy bruising in your family? Are you experiencing any other bleeding—nosebleeds, bleeding gums—or joint swelling? Are you currently taking any medications?

Where do these bruises typically appear? Do you see them on your torso, neck, or face? Any other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, thin skin, or purple stretch marks? Also, how are your menstrual cycles—are they normal or unusually heavy?

Roughly how large are these bruises? Larger than a quarter? Are they firm to the touch, or can you feel a lump?

Do they appear spontaneously, or are they just disproportionately large compared to the impact or injury?

Are you using anything like Andol, aspirin, or similar products frequently?

What other tests have you had done? You mentioned a coagulation panel.

Generally speaking, spontaneous bleeding falls into three categories: vessel wall issues, platelet count or function disorders, or clotting factor deficiencies.

The first two usually cause bruising on the skin or mucous membranes. Clotting factor issues often lead to deeper bleeding, frequently involving joints and internal organs.

In younger women, spontaneous bruising—mostly on the legs—can occur without any actual platelet or clotting issues. This is often due to fragile capillaries in the skin, known as purpura simplex. However, I cannot give a definitive answer without a clinical exam.

I noticed more bruising than usual last year, but I wouldn't have worried if it weren't for these tiny red spots (petechiae) appearing on my chest and legs. Right now, I also have three slightly larger purple spots, though they are smaller than a quarter—just a bit bigger than the red dots. They aren't hard to the touch. Over the last month, I’ve had two nosebleeds, which is unusual for me. No one in my family bruises easily. I have joint pain, but I attributed that to existing inflammation (though my joints aren't swollen or red right now). I don't have purple stretch marks, and I'm not sure about my skin thickness. 🤷
I am feeling increased fatigue, headaches, and nausea. My weight is stable at 130 lbs (5'7").
My periods are regular; the last two were normal, though the ones before that were heavy.

The bruises appear spontaneously.

I am not taking any medications.

My last coagulation panel was normal. It wasn't even close to the borderline values.

Do you have a recommendation for where I should go for an evaluation?

Thanks for the response. 🙂

Eh, the doctor just waved me off because my labs look fine. She claims that MPV doesn't mean a thing if everything else is within range.
She isn't giving much weight to those specific levels as long as my platelets and PV are normal.

melloworca6 said:Maybe you should just ask for a referral to a hematologist. 🤷

I suppose I had to.

I recall seeing a woman on an earlier thread with lab results similar to mine. Someone replied to her saying that if she isn't dealing with bruising or petechiae, the results are fine—even though her MPV was also low. I'm curious about what that might actually signify. 🙂

vividsailor7 said:The results look normal.

thanks 🙂

The spontaneous bruising and blood spots are what's actually bothering me, even though my labs say everything is fine. Then there's the headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Every time I try to ask my doctor a question, she gives me less and less information. Does anyone know what could be causing these bruises? Or at least, who should I talk to for actual help?