#3841 ·
They could be elevated because of her. But then again, they don't necessarily have to be. Honestly, Felix the Cat is a much better conversationalist on this topic.
Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST]
Started by vividsailor7 · · 👁 19 views · 3.9K replies
Participants
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#3842 ·
brightgull95 said:Look, lab results only get you so far. What you actually need is a killer clinician who lives and breathes migraines, paired with someone who truly gets fibromyalgia and/or CFS. That migraine coupled with the dizziness? It could totally be vestibular migraines—those two often travel together like an inseparable, annoying duo. Then there’s the fibromyalgia, which explains the vascular stuff (like those blue lips and nails) and that bone-deep chronic fatigue. Basically, you’re dealing with two distinct issues that require two specific specialists: a neurologist and a rheumatologist. You've done enough diagnostic stalling; it's time to actually move on to treatment. But finding two top-tier experts like that in this country? Yeah, that’s a whole different headache.
brightgull95 said:They could be up because of her. Or they might not be. Honestly, Felix the Cat is way better to talk to about this stuff anyway.
Alright, thanks.
#3843 ·
quietbison86 said:I had a kidney stone attack back in mid-March and ended up in the ER because of it—they found stone fragments in both kidneys.
Now I’ve been dealing with pain in my right kidney for almost a week—real renal colic stuff—and I'm just pounding Advil and Buscopan to get through it.
I got blood work and a urine test done; the urine looks fine, but my bloodwork shows elevated creatinine (101) and CRP (15).
So, there's definitely some inflammation going on, especially since I've been running a low-grade fever up to 100°F in the evenings.
Is it possible the stones are causing this, or what?
I’m going to repost this question for @brightgull95/">@@brightgull95, and if necessary, I can upload a screenshot of the whole lab report. Everything is normal except those two markers, plus my kidney filtration rate is at 65—which is technically "normal," but they say it's slightly decreased.
I’ve been feeling subfebrile this entire time: my temperature hits 100°F, though sometimes it doesn't, but today it held steady at 100°F along with these leg pains.
Since my white blood cell count is normal, the doctor won't give me antibiotics, obviously, and I have to wait about ten days to get my ultrasound for the kidneys and bladder.
The scan from March 19th showed visible stone fragments in both kidneys, but no dilation in the urinary tract (and my urine test came back clear in the lab).
Maybe what I have now is just a cold? I'm a little hoarse, my nose is slightly stuffed, and my throat feels irritated... but then again, maybe I caught that because my immune system is busy fighting inflammation? (Again, the doctor claims a CRP of 15 is nothing, 😵).
Is it actually possible to get a kidney infection from stones? Around the 1st, I felt pressure on my bladder and thought, "Okay, the stone moved, I passed it," but then after a few days of peace, boom—this nonstop pain in my right kidney and back starts, and it's driving me absolutely crazy. It feels exactly like renal colic because when the pain peaks, I can't even cross my legs or lift them onto the bed.
I should probably mention that at the end of April, I went through an incredibly stressful situation where I didn't eat all day, and I practically froze myself in that spring weather. I even had those sharp, stabbing pains in my head right in the middle of all that neck tension I've been struggling with lately.
#3844 ·
Hey everyone, I was wondering if someone could be a total lifesaver and help me make sense of this endoscopy report?
I know we’re all playing the waiting game until the biopsy results come back, but honestly, I'm feeling a little uneasy about this... 😢 The parts about pathological vascularization and those stomach polyps are really weighing on my mind.
The patient is pretty young, and there's a family history involved—my dad passed away from colon cancer when he was relatively young.
Esophagus shows a normal lumen and dilates well with air; the mucosa is intact, though there's an area of hyperemic mucosa stretching about 25-27 cm. Looking at the BLI, the pathological vascularization looks suspicious. There's also a polypoid lesion about 7 mm in size in that area; biopsies were taken in b1, and the tissue felt firm to the touch with the forceps. The cardia closes properly. The Z-line is serrated.
Subcardial mucosa appears normal, showing several polyps that morphologically look like FGP. The stomach is in a normal position and shape, dilating well with air. Mucosal folds are regular and converge normally; the mucosa is mostly fine except for a few polyps that look like FGP, so biopsies were taken from two polyps in b2. Peristalsis is present and moves all the way down to the pylorus. There's some patchy hyperemia in the antrumpyloric region, so biopsies were taken from the antrum and corpus in b3. The pylorus is normal and patent.
The duodenal bulb and postbulbar mucosa are normal, and the Valve of Vater isn't protruding.
Dx: Chronic gastritis, PGP, Esophageal polyp
I know we’re all playing the waiting game until the biopsy results come back, but honestly, I'm feeling a little uneasy about this... 😢 The parts about pathological vascularization and those stomach polyps are really weighing on my mind.
The patient is pretty young, and there's a family history involved—my dad passed away from colon cancer when he was relatively young.
Esophagus shows a normal lumen and dilates well with air; the mucosa is intact, though there's an area of hyperemic mucosa stretching about 25-27 cm. Looking at the BLI, the pathological vascularization looks suspicious. There's also a polypoid lesion about 7 mm in size in that area; biopsies were taken in b1, and the tissue felt firm to the touch with the forceps. The cardia closes properly. The Z-line is serrated.
Subcardial mucosa appears normal, showing several polyps that morphologically look like FGP. The stomach is in a normal position and shape, dilating well with air. Mucosal folds are regular and converge normally; the mucosa is mostly fine except for a few polyps that look like FGP, so biopsies were taken from two polyps in b2. Peristalsis is present and moves all the way down to the pylorus. There's some patchy hyperemia in the antrumpyloric region, so biopsies were taken from the antrum and corpus in b3. The pylorus is normal and patent.
The duodenal bulb and postbulbar mucosa are normal, and the Valve of Vater isn't protruding.
Dx: Chronic gastritis, PGP, Esophageal polyp
#3845 ·
I've been dealing with lumbar radiculopathy for about 15 years now—it all started when I tried to catch a heavy object mid-fall. Even though I managed to grab it, the sudden jerk sent this massive pain shooting through my lower back and straight down my right leg, which went totally numb. I couldn't even stand up.
Back then, the pain and numbness lingered for two or three months before finally starting to taper off. I did physical therapy and had an EMNG done on my legs, which showed moderate to moderate-severe bilateral radicular lesions at L5 and S1. An MRI at the time didn't show any herniations or protrusions. Up until 2015, I mostly avoided heavy lifting, though if I did push it, I’d get hit with a flare-up lasting a few days before it passed.
I repeated the tests in 2015 after a similar episode triggered by lifting something. I try to be careful, but my job makes it hard to avoid it sometimes.
The symptoms returned again, staying for a good 20 to 30 days—so, more EMNG and MRI work.
X-rays had previously shown scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis—basically, my spine is a bit of a structural mess. But hey, whatever.
Here are the findings from 2018–2019:
MRI Lumbar Spine:
Standard MRI slices through the lumbar spine show preserved height of the lumbar vertebral bodies. The physical lordosis of the lumbar segment is preserved.
The posterior IC line is also preserved. Disc signals are normal.
At the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, small dorsal herniations are visible, but they aren't compressing the neural foramina in those spots.
Facet joint morphology is preserved.
Spinal cord signal appears normal.
EMNG of the legs:
Patient presents with chronic lower back issues, with pain and numbness radiating into the right leg and occasionally the left.
Neurological exam: Patient can stand on toes and heels, performs squats normally, shows no motor deficits, and reflexes are symmetric and normal.
Electromyography testing of the lower extremities: quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles were tested bilaterally.
No pathological spontaneous activity was recorded during rest.
During activation, mild chronic neurogenic changes were noted at the L5 level bilaterally—stronger on the right—along with mild to moderate-severe changes at the S1 level bilaterally, also stronger on the right. Neurographic and reflex findings are normal.
The results support radiculopathic changes at the aforementioned levels.
A month ago, I pushed myself too hard at work for ten days straight and ended up in the ER. They gave me an injection and prescribed six more dexamethasone shots, Ibuprofen 800mg (3x daily), and Tramal 100 (3x daily). Without that combo, the pain is absolutely nauseating. This time, the symptoms were worse than ever—I couldn't find a single comfortable position except lying on my back with something under my knees. I didn't sleep at all for the first three nights. By the fourth night, thanks to the combination of Tramal 62 miles 3x daily and the 800mg Ibuprofen, I finally managed to drift off. But the moment I stand up during the day, the back pain hits and my right leg goes numb and stiff.
I'm feeling slightly better after three weeks, but the discomfort is constant, and I have to head back to work. I'm going in for a lumbar X-ray tomorrow, though I'm not expecting much to show up. My next MRI isn't scheduled for another year and three months...
Any ideas, advice, or suggestions?
Thanks.
Back then, the pain and numbness lingered for two or three months before finally starting to taper off. I did physical therapy and had an EMNG done on my legs, which showed moderate to moderate-severe bilateral radicular lesions at L5 and S1. An MRI at the time didn't show any herniations or protrusions. Up until 2015, I mostly avoided heavy lifting, though if I did push it, I’d get hit with a flare-up lasting a few days before it passed.
I repeated the tests in 2015 after a similar episode triggered by lifting something. I try to be careful, but my job makes it hard to avoid it sometimes.
The symptoms returned again, staying for a good 20 to 30 days—so, more EMNG and MRI work.
X-rays had previously shown scoliosis, lordosis, and kyphosis—basically, my spine is a bit of a structural mess. But hey, whatever.
Here are the findings from 2018–2019:
MRI Lumbar Spine:
Standard MRI slices through the lumbar spine show preserved height of the lumbar vertebral bodies. The physical lordosis of the lumbar segment is preserved.
The posterior IC line is also preserved. Disc signals are normal.
At the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, small dorsal herniations are visible, but they aren't compressing the neural foramina in those spots.
Facet joint morphology is preserved.
Spinal cord signal appears normal.
EMNG of the legs:
Patient presents with chronic lower back issues, with pain and numbness radiating into the right leg and occasionally the left.
Neurological exam: Patient can stand on toes and heels, performs squats normally, shows no motor deficits, and reflexes are symmetric and normal.
Electromyography testing of the lower extremities: quadriceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles were tested bilaterally.
No pathological spontaneous activity was recorded during rest.
During activation, mild chronic neurogenic changes were noted at the L5 level bilaterally—stronger on the right—along with mild to moderate-severe changes at the S1 level bilaterally, also stronger on the right. Neurographic and reflex findings are normal.
The results support radiculopathic changes at the aforementioned levels.
A month ago, I pushed myself too hard at work for ten days straight and ended up in the ER. They gave me an injection and prescribed six more dexamethasone shots, Ibuprofen 800mg (3x daily), and Tramal 100 (3x daily). Without that combo, the pain is absolutely nauseating. This time, the symptoms were worse than ever—I couldn't find a single comfortable position except lying on my back with something under my knees. I didn't sleep at all for the first three nights. By the fourth night, thanks to the combination of Tramal 62 miles 3x daily and the 800mg Ibuprofen, I finally managed to drift off. But the moment I stand up during the day, the back pain hits and my right leg goes numb and stiff.
I'm feeling slightly better after three weeks, but the discomfort is constant, and I have to head back to work. I'm going in for a lumbar X-ray tomorrow, though I'm not expecting much to show up. My next MRI isn't scheduled for another year and three months...
Any ideas, advice, or suggestions?
Thanks.
#3846 ·
quietbison86 said:I’ll restate the question here for @brightgull95—and if I need to upload a screenshot of the entire lab report, let me know. Everything looks fine except for those two specific parameters, plus my kidney function is at 65 (which is technically within range, though they say it's "mildly decreased").
I’m running a low-grade fever constantly: it hits 99.5°F, though not every single day, but today it stuck at 99.5°F. And then there's this pain in my legs.
Since my white blood cell count is normal, the doctor is naturally refusing to prescribe antibiotics. I won't have the ultrasound results for my kidneys and bladder for another 10 days or so.
My March 19th scan showed visible conglomerate reflections in both kidneys, but no dilation in the renal system (and my urine labs just came back clean).
What I'm dealing with right now might just be a common cold since I'm slightly hoarse, my nose is a bit stuffy, and my throat feels irritated. But it turns out I might have picked up a virus because of the underlying inflammation (though again, the doctor insists a CRP of 15 is nothing).😵
Is it actually possible to develop some kind of kidney infection from stones? Around the 1st, I felt pressure in my bladder and thought I had successfully passed a stone, but after a few days of relief, here we go again: this relentless pain in my right kidney and lower back. It’s driving me absolutely insane. It feels like a full-blown renal colic because when the pain peaks, I can't even cross my legs or lift them onto the bed.
I should probably mention that at the end of April, I went through an incredibly stressful situation. I didn't eat all day and basically froze in the afternoon despite the spring weather. I even had those sharp, stabbing pains in my head amidst the tension in my cervical spine, which is another issue I struggle with.
Yes, but in that scenario, the entire clinical picture would look much more severe than what you're describing. It seems far more likely that these are two completely separate issues: kidney stones and a mild virus that has absolutely nothing to do with the stones.
#3847 ·
brightgull95 said:True, but if that were the case, the whole clinical picture would look way more serious than what we’re seeing here. It’s honestly more likely that we're looking at two totally separate issues—kidney stones and some mild virus that has absolutely nothing to do with the stones.
thanks for getting back to me
so I guess you really can get a kidney infection 😢
I'm trying to flush these stones out right now, and honestly, it feels like things are moving in the right direction? My pain is shifting lower, more pressure on the bladder area... even my urine has looked "murky" these last two days, almost like there's this weird sediment floating in it.
My doctor didn't put me on antibiotics because my white blood cell count is normal, and the red blood cells in my urine are fine too. She did say my CRP is slightly elevated along with my creatinine, so she just sent me off for a renal and bladder ultrasound.
Then, right after that, I caught a mild cold—though I was already running a bit of a fever before the cold hit. Usually, when the pain flares up more intensely in the evening, I get these hot flashes and a slight temperature spike.
#3848 ·
Sure, it’s technically possible, but let's be real—that's definitely not what's happening in your case right now.
#3849 ·
Edward Long64 said:Context:
- Age 40-45.
- Tests were ordered due to a diagnosis of Granuloma annulare—a skin thickening on the back about 1 cm in diameter that hasn't gone away for months.
- Blood work was done because of suspected diabetes—results came back fine.
- Elevated TSH: 7.89 (0.38 - 5.33) -> subclinical hypothyroidism - currently not on medication.
Biopsy results:
"Material: 1. Back - right scapular region.
Pathohistological diagnosis: 1: -
Pathohistological description:
A 0.3 cm skin sample was received.
Histologically, there is an orthokeratotic, normally layered epidermis on the surface.
In the dermis, sparse mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates are found perivascularly. In the deeper parts of the dermis,
increased scar tissue is visible.
"
As a total layman, I’m asking for an interpretation. Could this be something serious? Also, could someone explain those bolded terms?
Thanks!
Bumping this thread, hoping to get some advice...
#3850 ·
brightgull95 said:Look, test results only get you so far. What you actually need is a top-tier clinician who really knows their stuff when it comes to migraines, plus someone who specializes in fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome. That migraine paired with the dizziness? Could totally be what they call vestibular migraines—basically, those two things often travel together. Then there's the fibromyalgia, which explains the vascular issues (like those blue lips and nails) and the constant exhaustion. You've basically got two separate issues that require two different specialists—a neurologist and a rheumatologist—because it's high time to move past just diagnosing and actually start treating this. But finding both of those experts here in the States? Yeah, that's a whole other headache.
Dr. Alpgaueur,
I really have to jump in on one thing you said, because it’s the crux of the whole mess: the idea that once we diagnose it, we should just move straight to treatment. And that's where everything falls apart for me...
Seriously, triptans sent my blood pressure through the roof. Beta-blockers made my heart rate tank. And both of those biological migraine injections? They gave me a massive rash. Eventually, I saw a clinical pharmacologist who basically told me those injections were off the table.
So now what? I was at work today dealing with this insane dizziness right when I had to give a presentation. I ended up just popping some Azalonum, which knocked me out. I finished the talk sitting down, sounding like a total drunk... Honestly, I don't even remember how I made it home. This spinning sensation is just brutal...
#3851 ·
Kimberly Morris said:Dr. Alpgaueur,
I really have to address one specific point you made—it’s actually the crux of the whole issue—where you mentioned the need to move from diagnosis to actual treatment as quickly as possible. And honestly? That is exactly where everything falls apart for me...
Here’s the deal: Triptans sent my blood pressure through the roof. Beta-blockers tanked my heart rate. And both of those migraine biologic injections? They gave me a massive rash. It got so bad that I ended up seeing a clinical pharmacologist who basically told me those injections were strictly off-limits.
So, what am I supposed to do?! Today at work, I was hit with such horrific vertigo right when I was supposed to be giving a lecture. In a moment of pure desperation, I popped some Azalonum, which just knocked me out. I ended up delivering the entire presentation while sitting down, babbling like a total drunk... I don't even remember how I managed to drive home... This spinning sensation is absolutely unbearable...
I don't know. I actually wrote earlier that I doubt there are even two doctors in the entire United States who could actually figure out which therapy would work for you.
#3852 ·
Does anyone know if elevated calprotectin can show up with colon cancer, or is it strictly an indicator of inflammation in the gut?
#3853 ·
Cancer can actually trigger localized inflammation in the colon, which is why you might see elevated calprotectin levels in a stool sample. It’s just one possibility. If there's even a shred of reasonable suspicion regarding cancer in a specific organ, you really have to run certain imaging tests to get a clear picture of what's happening.
#3854 ·
brightgull95 said:Cancer can trigger local inflammation in the colon, which leads to elevated calprotectin levels in stool samples. For instance, if there’s even a slight suspicion of cancer in a specific organ, you’d definitely need imaging tests to clear things up.
If the calprotectin level is low and there aren't any typical symptoms, does that rule out cancer?
#3855 ·
Looking for some insight on these blood work results:
White Blood Cell Count 12.8 H 3.4 - 9.7
Complete Blood Count Result Reference Interval
(K) Red Blood Cells 4.70 4.34 - 5.72
(K) Hemoglobin 149 g/L 138 - 175
(K) Hematocrit 0.420 L/L 0.415 - 0.530
(K) Mean Corpuscular Volume 89.4 fL 83.0 - 97.2
(K) MCH 31.7 pg 27.4 - 33.9
(K) Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin in
erythrocytes 355 H g/L 320 - 345
(K) RDW 12.9 % 9.0 - 15.0
Thanks in advance.
White Blood Cell Count 12.8 H 3.4 - 9.7
Complete Blood Count Result Reference Interval
(K) Red Blood Cells 4.70 4.34 - 5.72
(K) Hemoglobin 149 g/L 138 - 175
(K) Hematocrit 0.420 L/L 0.415 - 0.530
(K) Mean Corpuscular Volume 89.4 fL 83.0 - 97.2
(K) MCH 31.7 pg 27.4 - 33.9
(K) Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin in
erythrocytes 355 H g/L 320 - 345
(K) RDW 12.9 % 9.0 - 15.0
Thanks in advance.
#3856 ·
vividpuma2 said:But if the calprotectin levels are low and there aren't any typical symptoms, does that rule out cancer?
Absolutely not.
#3857 ·
For about two months now, my lower legs have been swollen, and the swelling just won't budge, even after a full night's rest.
I ended up at the ER, where they told me I have pitting edema in both shins.
They ran a whole battery of tests—heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, blood work, urinalysis—and everything came back normal, except for one thing: my ACE levels are elevated.
Based on those results, I was referred to a rheumatologist who strongly suspects I have sarcoidosis.
I’ve already had CT scans of my chest and abdomen, which looked fine, and an ultrasound of my lymph nodes in my neck, groin, and armpits.
The ultrasound did pick up one enlarged lymph node in my groin, so they performed a puncture, but that biopsy came back clear.
Now, the rheumatologist thinks that to officially confirm the sarcoidosis, we need to actually excise that lymph node from my groin, because they suspect there might be granulomatous inflammation present.
While all this testing was going on, I started feeling tingling in my fingers—mostly on my left hand, but sometimes the right too—specifically the first three fingers (thumb, index, and middle). My rheumatologist prescribed some meds like Aleve 600 and ibuprofen 600, but the tingling actually got worse.
I also had an echocardiogram, which was perfectly fine, but my cardiologist mentioned that the swelling might actually be an issue with lymphadenopathy rather than sarcoidosis. Now I'm stuck in a bit of a loop. Should I go through with the surgery to remove the lymph node and follow the sarcoidosis diagnosis? The rheumatologist is 99% sure it's sarcoidosis but can't prove it without a pathological analysis, yet the cardiologist is suggesting I look closer at the lymph issues instead.
Thanks in advance.
I ended up at the ER, where they told me I have pitting edema in both shins.
They ran a whole battery of tests—heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, blood work, urinalysis—and everything came back normal, except for one thing: my ACE levels are elevated.
Based on those results, I was referred to a rheumatologist who strongly suspects I have sarcoidosis.
I’ve already had CT scans of my chest and abdomen, which looked fine, and an ultrasound of my lymph nodes in my neck, groin, and armpits.
The ultrasound did pick up one enlarged lymph node in my groin, so they performed a puncture, but that biopsy came back clear.
Now, the rheumatologist thinks that to officially confirm the sarcoidosis, we need to actually excise that lymph node from my groin, because they suspect there might be granulomatous inflammation present.
While all this testing was going on, I started feeling tingling in my fingers—mostly on my left hand, but sometimes the right too—specifically the first three fingers (thumb, index, and middle). My rheumatologist prescribed some meds like Aleve 600 and ibuprofen 600, but the tingling actually got worse.
I also had an echocardiogram, which was perfectly fine, but my cardiologist mentioned that the swelling might actually be an issue with lymphadenopathy rather than sarcoidosis. Now I'm stuck in a bit of a loop. Should I go through with the surgery to remove the lymph node and follow the sarcoidosis diagnosis? The rheumatologist is 99% sure it's sarcoidosis but can't prove it without a pathological analysis, yet the cardiologist is suggesting I look closer at the lymph issues instead.
Thanks in advance.
#3858 ·
Honestly, you should go for both. You really need to get that lymph node biopsied just to finally settle the debate once and for all: do you actually have sarcoidosis or not? Look, ACE levels are definitely one piece of the puzzle when you're trying to diagnose sarcoidosis, but it’s far from the only factor, and it certainly isn't the deciding factor on its own. Once that's settled, you can actually start focusing on the lymphatic issue. We need to figure out what's actually causing those swollen shins.
#3859 ·
brightgull95;98396717 said:It’s best to go for both. You really need to have that lymph node biopsied so we can finally put the question of sarcoidosis to rest once and for all. Think of the ACE level as just one small piece of the puzzle; it’s part of the picture, but it isn't the whole story, nor is it a deciding factor on its own. Once that's settled, you can shift the focus toward the lymph nodes and figure out what might be causing that swelling in your lower legs.]
Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly,
Regarding the lymph issues—where do I even start? What kind of tests should I be asking for? Up until now, everything has been laser-focused solely on sarcoidosis,
And about this tingling sensation in my fingers... what do I do about that?
It’s keeping me up at night. It feels like there's actual fire in my fingertips. When I get up to walk around, it gets better, but the moment I lie back down, the tingling returns.
#3860 ·
James Peterson7 said:Thanks so much for getting back to me so fast.
Regarding the lymph nodes—where do I even start? What kind of tests should I actually be looking into? So far, everything has been laser-focused solely on the sarcoidosis.
And what about this tingling sensation in my fingers?
It’s keeping me up at night. I can't sleep because it feels like there's actual fire in my fingertips. Then, when I get up to walk around, the feeling in my legs improves, but as soon as I lie back down, the tingling starts right back up again.
Look, you need to take this question to the two doctors who have been treating you. It is absolutely impossible that they just gave you a verbal suggestion to "do this and that" without documenting specific recommendations somewhere. They had to have put something in writing regarding what needs to be done.
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