Posts by Sam Hall15

Moving forward, anyone posting even the slightest hint of inappropriate content will face strict disciplinary action. Therefore, please ensure all contributions remain strictly constructive and limited to meaningful discussion
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Those kinds of thoughts start weighing on all of us immediately, but we tend to avoid bringing them up because people jump on it too quickly, and there are still more likely possibilities than that one...

A finding like this could point to several different things, so it’s difficult to say with any certainty what we might be looking at just yet. Once you have the rest of your results back, please send over the blood work first—specifically the differential and liver function tests—and then we might be able to provide more clarity.

The diastolic pressure is borderline, but it’s really not quite at the level where medication is necessary. It would be better to focus on cutting back on salt intake and animal fats—especially eggs—while starting a regular exercise routine. If there's a need to lose some weight, that should be addressed as well. For now, drugs aren't required...

Typically, you would visit a dermatologist to have a wound culture taken, which allows them to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Localized treatment is also essential; if the ulcer is stable, specialized hydrocolloid dressings—specifically 3M—can be applied and changed every few days depending on the wound's progress, all while maintaining regular follow-ups with your specialist. Simultaneously, you must address the underlying cause, which in this case is varicose veins; once the ulcer has healed, these can often be treated through surgical intervention.

hm... you seem to be misinformed on this point. If an enema is being used to treat poisoning, it absolutely must be handled in a hospital setting. Attempting this at home isn't advisable because determining the proper indication is tricky; there are many medical conditions where an enema should actually be avoided, even if it might initially seem like the right solution...

John Parker6, there's really no reason to be overly anxious. Your mom's cholesterol levels are just slightly elevated, and for most people, a solid diet is all that's required. Of course, if she were considered a high-risk patient, medication would definitely be necessary, but the mere fact that her mother passed away from a stroke doesn't automatically put her in that category. Does she happen to have high blood pressure?

Hannah Phillips50 said:Hi everyone... I had blood work done back in month 6 and these were my results:
cholesterol - 6.3 (3.0-5.0)
alkaline phosphatase - 53 (54-153)
AST - 53 (8-30)
ALT - 20 (10-36)
GGT - 8 (9-35)

My doctor mentioned that the elevated AST isn't an issue... she didn't say anything about the low GGT or alkaline phosphatase, other than suggesting I cut back on dietary fats due to the cholesterol... and to check my levels every three months. I just had more blood work done and here are the numbers:

alkaline phosphatase - 45 (54-153)
AST - 52 (8-30)
ALT - 19 (10-36)
GGT - 11 (9-35)
GLUCOSE - 2.9 (4.4-6.4)
Now I'm worried again about that high AST and the low alkaline phosphatase (which has dropped even further since month 6). Regarding the glucose, they told me it was likely low because I hadn't eaten much. Can anyone help? My OBGYN actually expressed surprise that my doctor hasn't referred me for liver testing yet... is this something serious?

Given that your AST remains consistently elevated, it might be wise to consult a gastroenterologist or at least an internist first, then follow up with a specialist if needed. While these specific elevations aren't extremely high, getting a professional opinion would provide peace of mind. Some possibilities could include NASH or fatty liver issues...

Clinical hospitals are defined by having a specific number of specialized clinics. These clinics are departments where a certain percentage of staff hold advanced academic degrees, which grants the department—and by extension, the hospital—the authority to provide university-level training to students. A department typically becomes a clinic upon recommendation from the medical school, with final approval granted by the Department. A major teaching hospital, such as the Mayo Clinic, is one where more than half of the departments function as clinics, whereas a standard hospital might only feature basic units like Internal Medicine and the Surgical Clinic.

That’s just standard practice...

I responded via DM

Myoclonic jerks might be possible
If this only happens right before you drift off, especially if you're exhausted, it’s likely nothing to worry about. However, if it becomes a regular occurrence, you should definitely get a mineral panel done and check in with a neurologist for an EMG; I doubt they'll need to order neuroimaging...

It is possible that we are actually looking at reactive lymphadenopathy here...😁

Laura Lopez29 said:Hi everyone, and thanks to all for the replies; good advice and kind words certainly go a long way.
Basically, during a routine thyroid checkup, a friend nudged me into getting a full panel done, and by pure chance, I found out some things aren't quite right. I had been on birth control for three years and stopped about three months ago because we decided to start trying for a baby. For the past few years, I’ve dealt with frequent bouts of strep throat—twice a year—and only penicillin injections seemed to do the trick; could that have anything to do with these results? Also, I just remembered my OBGYN prescribed Diflucan about a month and a half ago.
Anyway, I'll just list the values that fall outside the reference range.

MCHC 363 H g/l
NEUTROF.SEG.GRANULOCITI 1.64 L
basophils 0.07 H
neutrophil seg.granulocytes 36.7 L rel%
lymphocytes 49.9 H rel%

note: NEUTROPENIA

AST 31
ALT 41
GGT 30
alkaline phosphatase 47
glucose 6.1

I should mention that before the blood draw, I had a Gatorade, a coffee, and a banana because I didn't realize I'd be doing these specific tests; I thought I was just checking my thyroid.

I saw my doctor, who gave me a referral for a metabolic panel, bilirubin, cholesterol, AST, ALT, and GGT in three weeks. Now I'm starting to panic because she gave me this strange look... though maybe she didn't, who knows. Honestly, as much as the internet is a great tool, it can also mentally destroy worriers like me.
Last night, I immediately started searching everything about liver diseases, and of course, it's all filled with mentions of hepatitis. Ugh, I didn't sleep at all; how am I going to make it through these next three weeks?

What is the total white blood cell count? And please, take another look at those neutrophils—if they are at 1.6, you should see a hematologist as soon as possible.

I would initially consider kidney issues, though it is impossible to be certain based on such limited information. He certainly needs to be encouraged to see a doctor...

It could be renal colic, an infection in the upper urinary tract, or even issues with stool impaction at the hepatic flexure 😁, among countless other possibilities... Does the pain radiate, or are there any specific triggers or accompanying symptoms?

Has carcinoid been ruled out?

Based on the description, this sounds like reactive lymphadenopathy, most likely triggered by herpes. Since you're pregnant, it wouldn't hurt to check in with your doctor just to be safe. In the meantime, try to avoid large crowds and focus on getting plenty of vitamins...

It could be pronounced reactive lymphadenopathy, enlarged lymph nodes, an abscess, or perhaps inflammation of the submandibular gland... Are you experiencing any other symptoms? A high fever? Difficulty swallowing? Weakness, vomiting, or diarrhea?

An elevated GGT level can sometimes indicate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which involves more pronounced fatty changes in the liver.
Potassium levels need to be kept strictly within the normal range. However, if you aren't experiencing any symptoms like weakness or tingling, it probably isn't anything too serious and your body will likely compensate on its own. That said, if you happen to be taking diuretics, you definitely need to replenish your potassium—maybe grab a few bananas. Also, if you're active in sports, potassium can easily drop due to intense physical activity, so just be mindful of adjusting your nutrition based on your body's specific needs.