Since I shared all my fears with you all and received such incredible support, I wanted to circle back and give you an update on how things are going. That large polyp they removed turned out to be early-stage cancer. Honestly, both mentally and physically, I feel so much lighter and better already. I got the results today, and it’s actually quite strange—I feel almost happy about it! For the longest time, I just knew deep down that something wasn't right, but what really unsettled me was how the doctors didn't seem to take my concerns very seriously at first. I still have a few more tests lined up since they haven't cleared the entire colon yet. Once those are done, I'll have a clearer picture of what the road ahead looks like, but for now, everything is being handled, and that brings me so much peace. Sending my best to everyone, and thank you all once again!
Oh my goodness, I completely lost my train of thought there! I was actually talking about low platelet counts, but yours are elevated. Please forgive me! My concentration just seems to be slipping today. But it really does hold true that doctors tend to breeze right through these things, especially if they view such a minor deviation as being practically insignificant.
A slight deviation in platelet counts is something doctors usually won't even blink at, though I have to admit I'm not particularly familiar with the specifics regarding that fibrinogen issue you mentioned. Is there a connection there? That’s definitely something you should have your physician interpret for you. I know several people who have dealt with platelet issues before, and I really want to reassure you that there is absolutely no reason to let anxiety take over. The reality is that even if the levels were to drop more significantly, there are very effective ways to treat it. The main goal is simply to identify the underlying cause so we can prevent them from dropping unnoticed, which is important because sudden drops can lead to internal bleeding. Are you currently taking any medications? My son actually experienced a near-total depletion of his platelets as a reaction to a specific drug he was prescribed. Also, have you happened to notice any unusual bruising on your body lately, even if you haven't bumped into anything?
I find myself in a situation quite similar to swiftbison25's, which is why I understood the point immediately. It isn't that she's refusing to take medication, but rather that nothing has actually been prescribed to her yet. I have been monitoring my own health for several years now since being diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid condition, though my hormone levels almost always fall within the "normal range." Because of that, I find myself hoping that during the next checkup, they won't be just "within the normal range" anymore. My reasoning is simple: I deal with a whole host of issues that are most likely the result of my thyroid not functioning optimally, such as fluid retention, constant fatigue, a lack of motivation, bouts of depression, occasional tremors, heart palpitations, and trouble focusing... Adobe, besides making sure you get thorough testing done regarding your thyroid and iron levels, you might definitely want to look into some supplements to help boost your circulation. There are plenty of herbal options out there—and honestly, a glass of red wine wouldn't hurt either—that can provide some support regardless of what the underlying cause might be! Please do let us know how your test results turn out!
Thanks so much for all the encouragement! And actually, I'm not quite that old—I've just hit 50. I know that medical science is making incredible strides every single day, so I’m staying optimistic, though I have to admit this waiting game is pretty tough to handle. My grandmother didn't even get any real treatment, unfortunately, because by the time her illness was finally caught, it was already too late. Her specialist hadn't recommended any proactive screenings, and I haven't even followed up with my own doctor yet. Thanks again to everyone here!
When you find yourself in that spot where your blood sugar levels just aren't hitting the mark, regardless of which reading you look at, it really calls for a bit of an investigation. It doesn't necessarily point to a chronic medical issue, but rather could just be a temporary reaction to something you ate or did, though it is always wise to stay informed about what's happening.
Patrick Brown3, I should start by saying I’m certainly no medical expert, but those elevated ketone levels are definitely something worth looking into. When you combine that with high glucose, it often suggests the body is tapping into fat stores because there aren't enough carbohydrates available or it simply can't process them properly. I actually followed the Atkinson diet once, and you see a very similar pattern there, though in that case, it's completely intentional since you're aiming for a state of ketosis. If your eating habits have been totally normal lately, however, this might point toward an issue with how your body handles carbs, perhaps involving insulin production. Has anyone in your family dealt with diabetes? Also, did you happen to eat very little in the couple of days leading up to your blood work?
I’m checking in here for the very first time, and honestly, I just finished reading the last page of this thread, and it’s left me quite emotional. It really brought back memories of my father passing away—though he wasn't fighting cancer—and it just touches on all those deep-seated fears we carry inside. I wanted to reach out to anyone who has navigated colorectal cancer (since the first post I stumbled upon was specifically about that) to ask what your early symptoms were like, what kind of testing you went through, and anything else you think is important to know. I hope I’m not overstepping by posting here before I have an official diagnosis, but I’ve dealt with health issues for years that my doctors simply brushed off. Because both my grandmother and great-grandmother passed away from colorectal cancer, that specific fear has always lived in the back of my mind. Recently, my doctors finally started taking my symptoms seriously—especially after I spent several days seeing visible blood in my stool—so they scheduled a colonoscopy. I’ve already had the procedure, though it didn't go smoothly at all. The pain was so intense that they could only examine part of my colon. They did find one large polyp and five tiny ones; they removed them all, and now I'm just waiting on the pathology results. This morning, exactly one week after the colonoscopy, I woke up with a sudden, urgent need to use the bathroom. It was mostly diarrhea, and there was more blood than anything else. I realize I’ve rambled on quite a bit! It would mean the world to me to hear from people who have walked this path and have some experience to share. My nerves are just completely shot right now.
I’ve been dealing with some thyroid issues lately, though I am keeping a close eye on everything and my hormone levels have stayed within the normal range for the time being. I don't think there is any reason to worry about tuberculosis either, since I had a persistent cough last year and went in for chest X-rays, and everything came back perfectly fine.
Thanks for getting back to me, but I actually haven't had a period in several years now. Plus, those elevated temperatures used to linger for a couple of weeks at a time. Here is a recent example of what I've been experiencing. Last night my temperature dropped down to just slightly below 97°, but today throughout the day—and I could really feel it—I was hovering around 98.6° to 99°. I realize that for some people that might just be their baseline, but I don't think that's the case for me because I can truly feel that feverish sensation.
Kimberly Wood72, I don't have much experience with this specific situation, but I honestly don't think there is any reason to panic. If a baby's white blood cell count is elevated, it usually just indicates some kind of inflammation, so those little discontented moans aren't really surprising. The fact that the baby feels a bit chilly isn't particularly worrying either, since babies can lose heat quite easily given that their little bodies haven't fully mastered temperature regulation yet. I remember when I had my own baby and she let out one of those short, sharp cries, and I found myself wondering what could possibly be wrong, only to find out everything was perfectly fine! It slips my mind sometimes, but infections in newborns are actually quite common. In many ways, it’s actually a good thing that these symptoms surface while the baby is still under hospital supervision, because they can get medical attention immediately without the parents having to stress over whether to call a doctor or rush to the ER. I am quite certain that everything is going to turn out just fine for the little one, but please do offer some comfort to the mother, as her hormones are likely flying high right now and it definitely makes these moments feel much more intense!
What exactly counts as a normal body temperature? There are times, particularly when the evening rolls around, where my temperature sits right around 96.8°F, and I’ve even seen it dip a bit lower than that before. On the flip side, for several years now, I’ve dealt with periods where my temperature stays slightly elevated—around 99°F—for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks at a time. During those stretches, I definitely don't feel my best, yet doctors have never been able to pin down a specific underlying cause. Has anyone else here gone through something similar?
You aren't going to end up hitting 200 pounds if you just stay mindful of what you're doing! For instance, I’ve managed to keep my weight almost exactly where it was back in high school, though my eating habits have changed quite a bit since then.
While feeling constantly exhausted and noticing sudden weight gain can certainly point toward thyroid issues, it is also possible that it's something much more benign. It seems to me that for many people, the metabolism tends to slow down in quite noticeable shifts right around age thirty, and then again once they hit their forties... It might just be that simple—your metabolism slows down and then eventually settles into a new baseline. I know I've rambled a bit here, but I truly hope my point comes across clearly!
Pepper, thanks so much for all the info! I’m aware that ALT levels have a direct connection to liver health. I actually dealt with elevated iron levels myself back in the day, though my doctor didn't think much of it at the time. They explained to me that those numbers can spike quite easily if you've had something particularly iron-rich the day before—like drinking a glass of red wine or having some blackberry juice, for instance. This most recent blood work was actually prompted by an upcoming appointment with a gastroenterologist, so I am genuinely curious to see what their take will be! Regardless, I really appreciate you walking me through everything!
I have to admit I’m feeling a little discouraged because it seems like there are far more questions being asked here than actual answers being provided. I was really hoping we might have some on-call doctors hanging around to give us quick insights so we wouldn't have to deal with the frustration of navigating grumpy clinic staff. Regardless, I’m going to go ahead and pose my question anyway! Even Silly wanted to dig into this for her mother—specifically, what does it actually imply when someone has elevated iron levels? As for my own recent lab work, my iron came back at 32.1 (with a standard range of 8-30), and I also noticed my AST is slightly off at 31 (instead of 8-30) along with my basophils at 1.2 (where 0-1 is normal). My urinalysis showed leukocyte counts of 3-6 (standard is 0-2), erythrocytes at 1-2 (0-2), and squamous epithelial cells at 15-17 (normal is 0-1). I’ve included the reference ranges in parentheses right there next to the numbers. If anyone happens to have any insight or an idea of what these numbers might suggest, please do let me know!
Honestly, reading through these posts, while I truly feel for everyone involved, I can’t help but think about all those fitness influencers who would give just about anything to be able to skip meals or maintain your current weight effortlessly. I really believe that a lack of appetite is a significant hurdle and is definitely something that should be managed in close consultation with a doctor. While all the suggestions regarding how to rediscover an interest in food or specific dietary choices are certainly helpful, I also think there is plenty of room for discussing appetite stimulants or various vitamin supplements. In my experience, B vitamins can be quite effective at boosting appetite for many people. It might also be beneficial to plan out a full menu a day in advance and have everything prepped so you can focus on eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. That being said, I really must emphasize—please go seek professional medical advice!
Good afternoon everyone! I’m actually looking for the same information as Maša. I am aware that dental work in Canada is significantly more affordable, but I would really love to get everything coordinated before I make the trip over there. Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck researching this online, as I only managed to track down one single clinic in Shiklos. If anyone happens to know how to get in touch with the specific specialists we're looking for—ideally those located in cities near Indianapolis—I would truly appreciate it if you could point me in the right direction! Thank you all so much in advance!