Posts by Sam Hall15

This concerns vertebral vascular insufficiency... management involves treating atherosclerotic changes through lipid-lowering therapy, antiplatelet medication, dietary adjustments, and exercise programs supervised by a neurologist and a physiatrist, particularly the latter.

Staying properly hydrated
...

You should definitely take a stroll down to the local park first...

First off, you're looking at digestive issues—everything from nausea and vomiting to diarrhea... but if it’s been a few days since the "incident" and those symptoms haven't cleared up, the chances of an infection are slim, and you're likely in the clear

Do you honestly expect us to type out the details of a physical shoulder exam in here?
I mean, posting implies you have access to the internet... but fine, I'll be helpful, www.google.com

I agree with Brandon Newman95 that monitoring is essential if we are strictly discussing an autoimmune condition without any flare-ups... regular hormone checks and occasional antibody testing should be sufficient...
Regarding water quality, unless you have a genuine suspicion, I would simply take a sample to a local lab for analysis. As for self-testing, there is really no point unless symptoms arise or a clinical test reveals something significant, such as bacterial presence or heavy metal levels...

Exactly. By dumping tasks onto specialists that should really be handled at the primary care level, we’re essentially clogging up the entire American healthcare system. I believe the fix lies in better training for our family practitioners and creating stronger incentives for them to stay engaged. If we implement rigorous licensing renewals and mandatory annual CME requirements, people will stay sharp... those who can't keep up can simply move on... and once that happens, patients who actually need specialist care will find it much easier to get an appointment when they need it most.

Sarko, could you please clarify which values fall outside the normal range?

Irina, you might want to check those thyroid antibodies. It’s hard to tell if you've reached a euthyroid state or if this is just a transition toward hypothyroidism... only time will tell. Regardless, try not to worry too much, but please get those tests done and stay in close contact with your doctor to monitor everything properly.

C-reactive protein is what we call an acute phase reactant. Along with several other markers, any kind of inflammation can theoretically spike your CRP levels. Returning to my original point, a physician trained in medicine and patient care should be able to clearly distinguish whether a high CRP is due to an infection or something else... back to basics. To properly confirm a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, you really need a complete blood count, along with iron, TIBC, and ferritin levels.

Well, the only true picture is the one you get from your blood work. That’s your reality at any given moment, whether it's been altered by medication or not. It’s also a fact that diet impacts your results, so we really need to stick to the plan for these next two weeks...

Excessive swallowing could stem from a weak lower esophageal sphincter, GERD, or perhaps anxiety... it might also be triggered by certain foods or drinks you're consuming

I second this...

I'll be looking out for your PM...
On another note, a quick word for all the women out there 😁 regarding anemia. I often hear or see people trying to manage it through their OB-GYN, but you really should be working with your primary care physician or a family doctor—or even a hematologist if things get more serious. While an OB-GYN can certainly play a role in the process, they shouldn't be the ones overseeing the entire treatment plan, even though that's frequently what happens in practice...

Brandon Newman95—I don't agree that it's better to unnecessarily scare patients; I never take that approach. There are many reasons for this, and ultimately, a proper approach involves explaining the situation clearly so the patient understands. If they are fully aware of the facts, the decision should be left to them, as everyone is responsible for their own well-being...

Frank Brooks34- these results suggest there might be some mild liver damage, possibly NASH, and that pain could stem from an enlarged liver—which aligns with a NASH diagnosis—or it could be related to the gallbladder, most likely due to gallstones, as Hannah Williams5 mentioned... your next step should be seeing a gastroenterologist for an abdominal ultrasound to clear everything up...

If a doctor relies too heavily on lab results, they’re already failing; treating them as absolute truth makes them even worse. A truly competent physician uses data as a tool to check on a patient, not as a crutch. If you want someone thorough, look for a doctor who actually spends time talking to you and performing a physical exam rather than just ordering a battery of expensive tests... In this case, not a single value was outside the normal range—not even the Bank of America levels or the other blood counts—which clearly suggests the physician here lacks sufficient expertise...

First off, he doesn't have excess iron; his results are actually quite normal. Furthermore, never should a doctor treat a lab report rather than the patient themselves. A single value falling outside the reference range without being tied to a patient's clinical status generally isn't worth further investigation—I emphasize "generally," as that doesn't apply to every type of test. And of course, wasting money by sending patients for unnecessary testing is a waste... I don't see any ambiguity there...

With those higher insulin levels, you're naturally more prone to weight gain, so you really have to watch what you eat. I'd suggest sticking strictly to your diet and adding some physical activity into the mix—ideally some aerobic training. Don't give up easily, because there are plenty of people who successfully stabilize their hormone levels just by managing their body weight... good luck!

Insulin resistance can indeed trigger all of those issues, and increased hair growth might stem from PCOS, which itself can be caused by insulin resistance...