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Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST]

Started by Zachary Gomez · · 👁 30 views · 585 replies

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Steven Brown28 Steven Brown28 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jul 2012
#441 ·
Hi everyone. My stepdad (69) has been struggling with his health for quite a while now. It started primarily with a cough—he’s been dealing with this persistent cough for years—but recently, things have taken a really dark turn.
He was recently at the local community clinic for some lung scans, and this is what was listed on his medical report:

Dg 1: C34
Dg 2:
Dg 3:

That is exactly how it's written. From what I’ve gathered—after doing my own research and then checking with my own doctor—that diagnosis points to lung cancer.
The problem is, his doctor isn't telling him anything; she just keeps prescribing antibiotics. Every time he tries to ask for clarity, she stays silent and refuses to give him any real answers.
As far as I know, he has cancer based on those codes. Hypothetically, if I were to tell him, I feel like I’d be breaking him instantly. It wouldn't just be him; it would crush my grandmother too. For that reason, I don't want to be the one to deliver that news.😢
When I reached out to his doctor to ask why he isn't receiving proper treatment if C34 means cancer, she just shut me down over the phone, claiming her waiting room was too full to talk.

He had blood work done today, and here are the results:

K-Leukocytes - 14.0 (3.4-9.7)
K-Eosinophilic granulocytes - 1.6 (0-7)
K-Basophilic granulocytes - 0.5 ( 0-1)
K-Neutrophilic granulocytes - 70.8 (44-72)
K-Lymphocytes (rel.) - 20.9 (20-46)
K-Monocytes (rel.) - 6.2 (2-12)
S- CRP- 85.5 (<5.0)

Our whole family is at a complete loss. His doctor won't admit him to the hospital; she just runs these routine checks, orders tests that seem totally irrelevant, and hands him more antibiotics. He can barely swallow, breathe, or sleep. He used to weigh nearly 220 lbs, but now he’s down to about 130 lbs. He gets winded just walking to the bedroom.
What is a person supposed to do in this situation? He isn't being hospitalized, he isn't getting the treatment he actually needs, and he's just being sent back for follow-ups while his condition worsens every single day.
He has another appointment with the doctor tomorrow. Honestly, does anyone know what we should do? 🙂
vividsailor7 vividsailor7 Active Member
217 messages
joined Sep 2011
#442 ·
Lisa Turner46 said:I had my blood drawn, just like I do every year since I'm on birth control, so I go once a year for a standard CBC checkup. Actually, this is only my first year on them. Here are the results:
.............................
TIBC 41 ( 49 - 75)

Well, this could potentially fit the profile of hemochromatosis. That’s actually relatively straightforward to manage through phlebotomy, but you have to run a full workup first.
Transaminase levels, Hepatitis B and C screening, Iron, UIBC, ferritin, glucose, and genetic testing.

Steven Brown28 says:
Hey everyone. So, my mom's stepfather (69) has been sick for quite a while now. It's primarily a cough; he's been coughing for years, sometimes even daily. But lately, things have taken a turn for the worse.
He recently had some lung scans done at the local VA hospital, and they noted this on his report:

Dx 1: C34
Dx 2:
Dx 3:
......................

He had blood work done today, and here is what it looks like:

WBC - 14.0 (3.4-9.7)
Eosinophils - 1.6 (0-7)
Basophils - 0.5 ( 0-1)
Neutrophils - 70.8 (44-72)
Lymphocytes (%) - 20.9 (20-46)
Monocytes (%) - 6.2 (2-12)
CRP - 85.5 (b>
.................... 🙂



You haven't really provided much useful information here—specifically regarding the chest X-ray findings? Or so I assume. That’s the critical part, because right now, "C34" doesn't tell us anything specific.
What's the next step from Abbott Laboratories? What follow-up tests are planned? Any underlying conditions? Possible therapy?
As for the coughing, believe it or not, people cough every single day.
Your impressions don't mean much.
And, obviously, he really needs to quit smoking.
The blood work clearly points toward a bacterial infection.
Lisa Turner46 Lisa Turner46 Newcomer
5 messages
joined May 2012
#443 ·
Dr. Hrvoje, I appreciate your help.
Steven Brown28 Steven Brown28 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jul 2012
#444 ·
vividsailor7 said:It’s possible we could be looking at hemochromatosis, which is fairly straightforward to manage through phlebotomy, though you'd need to run some preliminary labs first like
transaminase levels, hepatitis B and C screening, iron, UIBC, ferritin, blood glucose, and genetic testing.

To be honest, what you've shared isn't particularly helpful—especially the chest X-ray results. That C34 finding doesn't tell us much right now.
Which follow-up tests from Abbott Laboratories are being done? Any other specific screenings? Are there existing comorbidities or current medications?
As for the cough, believe it or not, people cough every single day.
Your impressions don't really move the needle here.
And it would definitely be a good idea to quit smoking.
The blood work suggests a bacterial infection.

The chest X-ray just shows some scarring from previous bouts of pneumonia.
Regarding the cough, I know coughing is common, but he's coughing up about half a cup of blood every day. Even on 1g antibiotics (like Augmentin), his fever stays around 101-102°F, and the cough hasn't eased up one bit. He's not getting any better.
He was also diagnosed with angina long ago.

They've sent him for every test under the sun, from pneumonia screenings to checking for TB. They've looked at his liver, kidneys, and prostate, and everything came back fine. It feels like they're just spinning their wheels, running the same tests over and over without finding anything new. Now, they'll likely send him back for more TB testing because that's their main suspicion.

He used to smoke heavily—about three packs a day—but he actually quit 20 years ago.
vividsailor7 vividsailor7 Active Member
217 messages
joined Sep 2011
#445 ·
Amy Adams95 said:The chest X-ray report just mentions visible scarring from previous bouts of pneumonia.
As for the coughing, I realize a cough might be "normal" in some contexts, but he is coughing up half a cup of blood every single day. Even on 1g antibiotics (Augmentin 1g), his fever stays stuck at 100.4 to 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit, and the coughing hasn't let up one bit—his condition isn't improving at all.
He was also diagnosed with angina pectoris a long time ago.

They’ve sent him for tests for every possible ailment, ranging from pneumonia to suspected tuberculosis. They even checked his liver, kidneys, and prostate, and everything came back fine then. Nothing changes; they just run the same repetitive tests over and over without finding anything new. Now, they’ll likely send him for more TB testing because they still suspect it could be tuberculosis.

He used to smoke a long time ago (they told me he went through three packs a day), but he hasn't touched a cigarette in about 20 years.

That C34 code is probably just something the primary care physician noted; those doctors can write whatever they want on a referral.
Honestly, I am done dealing with this. You people just toss out data whenever you feel like it instead of actually answering the questions I have laid out—questions that, in my opinion, are extremely clear. I used to try harder to help, but why should I make myself a target and get dragged into this nonsense for no reason?
Besides, you claim the X-ray only shows scarring from a prior pneumonia, so where on earth are you getting this idea about lung tumors?
Steven Brown28 Steven Brown28 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Jul 2012
#446 ·
vividsailor7 said:That C34 code is likely just a referral from a general practitioner; they can write pretty much anything on those referrals.
I’m honestly stepping away from this discussion. It feels like people are just throwing out data whenever they feel like it rather than actually answering the questions I've laid out quite clearly. I used to try harder to engage, but there's no point in being the one left hanging or getting dragged into unnecessary arguments.
Besides, you're claiming the X-ray only shows scarring from a previous bout of pneumonia, so where exactly did these "cloudy lungs" come from?

Thanks for getting back to me.
I'll keep responding as long as I can, but if things aren't making sense to you, I apologize—it's just that I don't have his actual lab results right here since he tends to keep them private from all of us. It would be so much easier to give you a straight answer if I had them, which would probably clear things up for both of us too. I realize we're mostly just guessing at this point, but I'm at a loss for what else to do. Anyway, thanks regardless.
Jessica Fowler4 Jessica Fowler4 Active Member
51 messages
joined Jan 2013
#447 ·
Maria Fisher46 said:I mean, looking at this kind of result... I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it feels significant. I guess there's a lot to unpack here. It’s just one of those things that makes you stop and think, you know? Like, wow. Anyway, what do you guys think about this? I guess... I mean, it doesn't really lead anywhere, does it? It’s just sort of... hovering there without actually making a move. Maybe that's the point, though? I don't know. It feels like it's just stalling. So, about metabolic syndrome... I mean, it’s kind of a big deal, right? It’s not just one thing, it’s like this whole cluster of issues hitting you at once—blood pressure, blood sugar, waistline, cholesterol, all that stuff. It's scary, honestly. I was reading about it the other day, and it feels like everything is connected. Maybe it's the diet, or maybe it's just how life works now in the States, with everything being so fast-paced and processed. I guess it really comes down to how our bodies handle energy. It’s heavy stuff to think about, but we should probably pay more attention to it before it turns into something way worse. Just an observation, I suppose.

So, about metabolic syndrome... there are actually several ways to look at it, I guess. It’s not just one single thing, you know? It’s more like this cluster of issues that all hang out together—like high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and maybe some extra weight around the middle. It’s kind of like when several different warning lights pop up on your dashboard at once; it doesn't mean your engine is dead, but it definitely means you should probably pull over and check things out before something goes sideways. Maybe. I was reading about how doctors in the States approach it, and it seems like they really focus on lifestyle stuff first. Like, instead of just handing you a prescription immediately, they might talk about hitting the gym or watching what you eat. It’s complicated, though. Every body reacts differently, right? I mean, I'm no expert, obviously, but it feels like it's all interconnected. One thing leads to another, and suddenly you're dealing with a whole web of health concerns. It's a bit overwhelming if you think about it too much, I suppose. I mean, I guess... there really should be some sort of clearly defined criteria, right? Like, you can't just wing it. You need specific standards to actually go by. It feels like everything is just sort of up in the air sometimes, which is frustrating, I suppose. If we don't have those exact benchmarks set in stone, how are we even supposed to know if things are working? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but it feels important. Just... having those solid, definite rules to follow. It would make sense, wouldn't it? So, I was thinking about this earlier... like, what actually goes into getting an official diagnosis? It’s not just someone saying, "Hey, you seem a bit off today," right? I mean, I guess there’s a whole specific set of criteria that has to be met first. It’s kind of intense when you think about it. You have to check all these boxes—very specific symptoms, certain patterns of behavior, things that meet the standards set by the medical community here in the States, like the DSM. It’s not just one thing; it’s more like a collection of requirements that all have to line up perfectly. Maybe it's because they want to be sure, or maybe it's just how the system works. But yeah, there are definitely strict guidelines that a person has to satisfy before anything becomes official.

So, I was looking at the numbers again, and... I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking this, but one of them shows an A1C of over 5.6 mmol/l, not just over 5 mmol/l like everyone keeps saying. It's a bit different, I guess.

I mean, obviously... that isn't the only thing, and it’s definitely not the main deciding factor either, I guess.

So, just to make sure there isn't any confusion here, I really do completely agree with my esteemed colleague, Dr. Harvey, that the way those user findings are being interpreted... well, I guess you could say he's spot on. I don't know... I guess I'm just thinking out loud here, maybe? It’s hard to put a finger on it. Everything feels sort of... scattered? Like, you know when you're trying to focus on one thing but your brain just keeps jumping to something else entirely? That's kind of how I've been feeling lately. I mean, it's probably nothing major, just a bit of mental fog, I suppose. But still, it's weird. It's just strange. Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Sorry. kako slijedi:


Yeah, so... the other markers are lipids—which are also high. I guess that's part of it too. Maybe? It’s just one more thing on the list.

I mean, honestly? Those official clinical ranges feel like they’re just purely political to me, IMO... I don't know. A healthy person's actual, baseline fasting glucose level is usually around 70 mg/dL... maybe? It just feels different when you look at real people versus what the textbooks say.
So, I was thinking... assuming we aren't talking about extreme stuff like autoimmune issues, diabetes, or maybe pancreatic cancer, and if you don't have those specific hormonal things—like an adrenal tumor or whatever—then fasting glucose is basically just a direct way to measure how much your liver is resisting insulin. And honestly, that also says a lot about your liver fat levels, too. In my opinion, I guess... hepatic insulin resistance is really the heart of the whole "metabolic syndrome" thing. Like, everything else seems to stem from that one point. From that initial liver resistance and the fatty liver part, all the other symptoms and issues start to branch out. It’s like a chain reaction where obesity, atherosclerosis, various hormonal imbalances, and eventually diabetes all start rolling in, maybe in different combinations, but it all feels like it starts right there. Just a thought.

Look, don't be lazy about this. I’ve been going through the posts from this guy, and man, it’s a lot. He’s dealing with metabolic syndrome, his blood pressure is up, and he’s sitting at around 265 pounds. He’s on beta blockers too, which adds another layer to it all. On top of that, he keeps hitting these frequent hypoglycemic lows... it's actually kind of scary. I guess they were already starting to suspect he might be on insulin, or maybe just heading that way. It's a heavy situation, really.

Maybe... I don't know, maybe those ranges could just be, like, totally recalibrated? Or re-educated? I guess it’s worth considering if they should be adjusted entirely. Maybe. 🙂

Hey Mr. Syntr, you really ought to rethink your whole diet. I mean, maybe try switching things up? You should probably focus on animal fats—like pork or beef tallow—and dairy fats too. Like, all kinds of heavy cream or natural cheeses... honestly, the fattier the better. Eggs are great, obviously. And then you could add some tropical oils or olive oil into the mix. For proteins, stick to animal sources, and again, if you can get the fattier cuts, that's even better. Ideally, you'd aim for organs, like kidneys, liver, or even brain if you're feeling adventurous. As for veggies, just keep the carbs low, I guess. Maybe lots of salads, cauliflower, spinach, and stuff like that... anything you can eat raw, really. And maybe just a little bit of fruit, specifically berries or something from the forest. You can eat as much as you want, I suppose, though maybe don't go overboard on the protein side of things. It’s probably best if at least 60-70% of your total calories come from fats. Just a thought!

So, I guess you have to just completely cut out all stimulants. Like, everything. No coffee, no Coke, no tea, no chocolate... nothing. And sugar? Yeah, just stay away from sugar entirely. It means no juices either, and definitely no alcohol—just stick to water and maybe some sparkling water if you're feeling fancy. And then there's the carbs. You really have to avoid the big stuff, you know? Like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, corn, beans... all that kind of thing. I mean, you don't have to be super religious about plant oils, I suppose, but maybe just stick to olive oil or tropical ones like coconut oil—which is actually incredibly therapeutic, by the way; you can find the good stuff at places like Whole Foods—or maybe palm oil, or flaxseed if you can actually stomach it. But you absolutely, 100% have to eliminate all those hydrogenated fats and that other garbage, like margarine, or those processed cheese slices, or heaven forbid, "light" mayonnaise. Just... no.

So, I was thinking about this earlier, and it's kind of funny... but, I guess, if you look at it closely, this whole diet is actually gluten-free by its very nature. Like, it just happens that way. It’s built into the whole thing, I suppose.

I mean, I was thinking... maybe you should also look into adding some taurine supplements to the mix? Just to help out the liver, I guess. Like, maybe just a couple of grams a day? It might really help.

If you’re worried that this diet is going to totally wreck your blood work, look, you aren't the only one thinking that. I get it. But honestly? Even most doctors will probably tell you that doing this for just a week or two isn't actually going to mess up your labs that much. It's just... well, it takes a bit more time than that, I guess. On the flip side, I'm telling you—and maybe I'm wrong, but I really think—that most of those metabolic syndrome symptoms are going to start clearing up in just a few days. Like, the main thing? That hypoglycemia issue? You should see that vanish within like, two days tops. So, just give it a shot. Seriously. See if I'm right or not. It doesn't take long at all. If I am right, then just keep going with the diet and keep an eye on your blood work just so you can track how things are moving along. And please, please let me know what happens... I don't want to end up looking like a total nutcase here.

And you should probably get your thyroid levels checked out too. I mean, I suspect the thyroid often slows down during this whole process, and it’s just really hard to break out of that downward spiral when your metabolism is basically sitting at zero.

I should say again, though—I’m definitely not a doctor or anything. I’m just speaking from my own experience and what I've seen with people close to me... so yeah, that's all it is... but still, regarding doctors—if you're technically considered "healthy," then I guess there isn't really anyone for you to listen to. 🙂
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#448 ·
Jessica Fowler4,

You’re taking this to an extreme. As I previously stated, these results don't point to metabolic syndrome. Under current medical guidelines, a diagnosis requires more than just lab work; it necessitates a clinical exam where factors like waist circumference play a vital role.

That kind of data isn't something you can pull from a blood test alone.

Your comments are simply confusing Betty Hughes6 and everyone else following this thread. To be clear, the criteria for impaired fasting glucose isn't a fasting glucose level above 5.0 mmol/L—it's actually 5.6 mmol/L or higher. And even that threshold has been lowered compared to previous standards.

The triglycerides are elevated, certainly, and that needs addressing through diet and exercise.

We are here to interpret lab results, not debate medication protocols.

Let's please stay on track.

The user asked for an opinion on their labs. They received one: the results are normal, aside from slightly high triglycerides.

To reiterate, these specific results do not confirm metabolic syndrome—though the condition may exist, it can't be determined by these numbers alone without a physical assessment of BMI, blood pressure, and waist size—nor do they indicate impaired glucose tolerance.

It seems you've dug up old posts regarding a prior diagnosis and treatment plan and are now attempting to claim those details are explicitly shown in the user's most recent lab report.

No one has claimed this user is perfectly healthy without seeing their full history, medications, or undergoing a physical exam.

The statement was simple: the latest labs are normal, except for the elevated triglycerides.

I'm not sure why you're trying to misrepresent what was said and cast doubt on the interpretation of these findings.
vividsailor7 vividsailor7 Active Member
217 messages
joined Sep 2011
#449 ·
Maria Fisher46 said:Listen, Jessica Fowler4,
............................!

Regarding metabolic syndrome—specifically looking at what Betty Hughes6 mentioned—I’ve gone back through my own previous posts where I addressed this exact topic. But let’s be clear: it should have been obvious from reading the very first post. Even if someone hasn't posted much here, I don't have the luxury of time to comb through thousands of individual comments just to find a specific thread, especially when I've already covered similar ground recently. Honestly, I doubt any other doctor here would bother doing that either.
That being said, I’m assuming these lab results were taken while the patient was on metformin.
Regardless, my stance remains unchanged.
As for the diagnostic criteria, setting the fasting glucose threshold at 5.6 mmol/l for metabolic syndrome? In my opinion, that's just not realistic. It would be much more sensible to set it between 6 and 6.5 mmol/l.
For everything else, I'm in total agreement with my colleague.
Betty Hughes6 Betty Hughes6 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Mar 2012
#450 ·
Thanks anyway, everyone.
I am currently on Tylenol 3 x250ml, but I wasn't actually asking about metabolic syndrome. I was asking about my blood work in general because I’ve been feeling pretty off lately... excessive sweating, weakness, and things like that.
Jessica Fowler4 Jessica Fowler4 Active Member
51 messages
joined Jan 2013
#451 ·
Maria Fisher46 said:Dear Jessica Fowler4,

I think you’re taking this to an extreme again. Like I said before, these lab results alone don't necessarily point to metabolic syndrome. According to the current medical guidelines, you can't just look at the numbers; a diagnosis requires a clinical exam too, where things like waist circumference play a huge role.

That kind of data just isn't something you can read off a blood work report.

following the usual medical standards... well, I'm not a doctor, so I don't have those kinds of restrictions myself🙂

You're honestly just confusing the user Betty Hughes6 and everyone else reading this thread with these remarks. Look, the criteria for impaired fasting glucose was clearly stated, and it's not just a fasting glucose above 100 mg/dL—it's actually 100 mg/dL or higher. And hey, that threshold has already been lowered compared to how it used to be!

A few decades ago, there was basically just one line in the sand: you either had diabetes or you didn't. Then they introduced these middle-ground categories like 'prediabetes' and 'metabolic syndrome'... then they lowered that threshold... and they'll probably lower it again... I guess it's becoming more of a political thing. When you drop the threshold, a massive wave of people suddenly gets an official diagnosis... which means they all need treatment... and someone has to pay for that, and someone else stands to make a profit from it...

It's a completely different story when you go back and dig up old posts to find a previous diagnosis and treatment just to try and claim that everything is being spelled out in the user's most recent lab results!

I suspected metabolic syndrome based solely on those specific labs and the two symptoms he mentioned right at the start. That's why I went back to check his other posts, just to see if he'd mentioned any other symptoms of metabolic syndrome elsewhere. And sure enough, looking through his history, the guy weighs 260 pounds, has high blood pressure, and so on. I don't spend my time deep-diving into every single person's post who shares their labs... I just don't have that much free time.

I suppose I have a bit of an agenda regarding "metabolic syndrome" and how the medical establishment handles it, I guess, which is why I'm mostly here. But I really do try to be clear that I'm not a doctor. I have no intention of deceiving anyone, or tricking them, or trying to sell them anything. People should just think for themselves. There are tons of people in the same boat, and medicine might eventually give them a formal diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, or maybe they'll just leave them to struggle. Like this guy—just look at how long he's been suffering. You know how much it sucks when someone tells you your labs are "fine." The man spends half the day sweating, shaking, and unable to pull himself together... every single day. And he's supposed to work like that? But according to medical standards, his blood work is fine! And probably all his other tests too... I used to get like that at work... sweating through my shirt even in the winter and stuff... hypoglycemia... it's one of the main signs of metabolic syndrome.

Healthy people don't experience hypoglycemia. You shouldn't even need any other test to diagnose metabolic syndrome. In my opinion... maybe just what he already did—the insulin scan.
vividsailor7 vividsailor7 Active Member
217 messages
joined Sep 2011
#452 ·
Amy Adams95 said:Thanks for getting back to me.
Look, I’m telling you exactly what I told you before. If this isn't clear enough for you, then I don't know what to say. I’m sorry, but I don't have his lab results right here—the man keeps them hidden from all of us! It would be so much easier if I could just lay out everything for you; I’d probably get a more concrete answer, and you wouldn't be left in the dark either. I realize that without those numbers, we're all just guessing, but honestly, I’m at my wits' end! Anyway, thanks.

Well, if you don't even know the facts, then I have no idea what kind of answer you're looking for.
vividsailor7 vividsailor7 Active Member
217 messages
joined Sep 2011
#453 ·
Hypoglycemia isn't actually a symptom of metabolic syndrome.
Jessica Fowler4 Jessica Fowler4 Active Member
51 messages
joined Jan 2013
#454 ·
vividsailor7 said:Hypoglycemia isn't actually a symptom of metabolic syndrome.


Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, fatty liver—honestly, call it whatever you want, whether it's an official diagnostic marker or just a symptom or whatever, it's basically the core definition of "metabolic syndrome."

But I guess the way it's officially defined is pretty rigid. Maybe the real truth is that you just constantly have slightly elevated insulin and sugar levels—like, depending on how bad things have gotten, maybe even while fasting—and then that true hyperinsulinemia that defines metabolic syndrome really shows up after you eat. And then, you get that resulting hypoglycemia about two or three hours later.

So, just imagine this scenario... a person eats some toast with jam (which, if you ask me, is one of the absolute worst kinds of poison). They digest it. Glucose floods into the bloodstream in huge amounts. The pancreas senses that spike in glucose and pumps out insulin. But the liver is resistant to insulin—because it’s full of fat, which is what metabolic syndrome officially is—so it doesn't react properly. Instead of taking the sugar out of the blood to store it as glycogen, it does the exact opposite—it keeps producing sugar by breaking down proteins! It just adds more to the blood.
The pancreas still sees all that glucose despite the insulin it just released, so it cranks up the insulin dose even higher. Then the adipocytes—the fat cells—start feeling that increased dose of insulin as it circulates through the bloodstream. Because of that high insulin concentration, the fat cells grab the glucose from the blood and turn it straight into fat.
Since this whole process is kind of slow and sluggish when the liver isn't working right, the pancreas manages to dump out way too much insulin before it reaches a high enough concentration throughout the entire bloodstream (not just in the liver, which is its immediate neighbor) for those fat cells to finally soak up the excess glucose from the blood—that's the hyperinsulinemia part (you know, that feeling of being exhausted after eating, since insulin makes you sleepy). Eventually, the fat cells manage to take enough glucose to normalize the blood sugar level, but there’s still leftover insulin because the pancreas overdid it. Also, a fatty liver is noticeably worse at metabolizing insulin—meaning the liver and kidneys, which are supposed to clear the insulin from the blood once it's done its job, are slower at it. So, that extra lingering insulin drops the blood sugar too low, and that’s when hypoglycemia kicks in. The symptoms that hit you suddenly are intense hunger, weakness, shakiness, and confusion. The body then triggers the adrenal glands to try and save the day with adrenaline and other catecholamines. Adrenaline causes sweating, poor temperature control (cold hands and feet, but a hot torso), irritability, and stress. Adrenaline also numbs that initial massive hunger, so people say, "Oh, I just overate." Even though the liver isn't responding to insulin anymore, it *does* still respond to adrenaline—and what it does in response to adrenaline is create more glucose by breaking down proteins. In this stage, it's mostly proteins coming from breaking down muscle tissue! Man, to avoid these symptoms, people often don't even let it last long (even though letting it pass might actually be better for them), they just scramble for more food that fixes the symptoms almost instantly, and everything seems okay. This can go on for maybe 5 to 10 years before all the other mess starts happening. And then they joke about it like, "Oops, my sugar crashed," haha, hehe. Even though they haven't actually used the energy they ate—they just packed it away into fat and immediately ran out of the energy they just consumed—the person goes right back to eating, usually more carbs, because fats and proteins don't satisfy them very well. That’s why people are overweight. And weak, because all the energy they eat gets shoved straight into fat cells and locked away by hyperinsulinemia, leaving them hungry again. This cycle happens several times a day in metabolic syndrome, depending on what they eat. Now, what all those years of this behavior, these massive hormone and sugar fluctuations, and a half-functional liver will do to the rest of the organs... well, that depends on a bunch of different factors. Over time, even the adipocytes—the fat tissue—will become insulin resistant. Then the pancreas will pump out even more insulin, and shortly after that, the pancreas just burns out from overproducing it—that's Type 2 diabetes. The only cells that can't develop insulin resistance are the retinal cells, kidney cells, and nerve cells—the classic diabetic complications. Some fat cells can handle the insulin for a long time, essentially just filling up with fat, so a person might develop something else first, like atherosclerosis or heart issues... for some, that clogged-up liver might mess up bile production and digestion, leading to IBS. Gallstones can form, etc. Weakened digestion can cause all sorts of nutrient deficiencies with their own set of symptoms, and allow "bad" bacteria to bloom in the gut—again, IBS... and it all started from the liver's resistance to insulin and that first obvious symptom: frequent hypoglycemia. We already established that these abnormal hormone and sugar levels have mental consequences, and eventually, as all the glands start acting weird, someone might even be diagnosed with a mental illness. Probably the kidneys will slow down too... the adrenals will get overworked, and between the kidneys and the constant hypoglycemia, it could contribute to something like CFS in a certain way... etc.

Honestly, I feel like this is stuff they should be teaching kids in elementary school. You know? Just so they actually understand what’s happening inside their bodies when they eat. Instead, you have grandmas telling them, "Oh, your blood sugar is low, just eat some more sugar, it's fine"... but it really isn't fine. It's just not.

If you guys don't think this is how it works, please, tell me why. I mean, I suspect most people dealing with metabolic syndrome are going to recognize this pattern immediately—it's medically sound, regardless of what those official lab ranges or formal diagnoses might say... I haven't even gotten into how stress plays into the whole mess yet, but maybe I'll get to that later. I can definitely keep going on how this whole thing starts.
Betty Hughes6 Betty Hughes6 Newcomer
5 messages
joined Mar 2012
#455 ·
@Jessica Fowler4,

Great post. You hit the nail on the head—I’m living proof. I spent forever dealing with fatigue and hypoglycemia crashes. Doctors kept running the same useless tests and even sent me to a psychiatrist, which is exactly what you pointed out (thanks for catching that). When I first did my glucose tolerance test, the doctor brushed it off as fine, even though my C-peptide and insulin levels were through the roof. It wasn't until I saw a specialist at a private clinic recently that things clicked. She looked at those exact same results and saw the real problem, then put me on Metformin along with exercise and diet changes.
One thing I'm stuck on, though... she strictly banned carbs and fats—heavy meats, full-fat dairy, sodas—but you mentioned those are okay? I'd love to hear your take on that if you don't mind...
Honestly, I'm feeling pretty rough today because, let's face it, I haven't been following the rules. I have a massive weakness for sweets, salty snacks, jam with margarine, and soda...
I have cut back on fats a bit (my triglycerides and cholesterol used to be over 500), and my liver enzymes were high too, though they've leveled out now. It's clear you know your stuff regarding metabolic syndrome, so if the mods allow it, I'd appreciate any advice or insights you can share.
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#456 ·
Paul Ramirez59 said:...it seems you know quite a bit about syndrome X—or whatever the name is—so any articles or advice would be helpful... provided the moderators allow it...

I’d prefer if you started a new thread titled "Metabolic syndrome" over on the Health forum.

I considered moving these posts, but since the lab results are so intertwined with the discussion on metabolic syndrome—which isn't the focus here—I think it's best to leave them where they are. I'll ask you and Jessica Fowler4 to move the conversation to that new thread instead.

One of you should feel free to get it started. 🙂

Please, let's keep this topic elsewhere. We're off-topic now, and it's distracting others who are trying to ask questions about their own test results.

Thanks for understanding.
Kevin Gonzalez66 Kevin Gonzalez66 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Jan 2011
#457 ·
Paul Ramirez59 said:@Jessica Fowler4,

Man, this post you wrote is spot on—honestly, I’m basically a walking case study here. I’ve been struggling forever with this constant weakness and hypoglycemia, and it was a total circus; doctors kept sending me for endless tests, and they even suggested I see a psychiatrist, which is exactly what you pointed out (thanks for actually digging into that). So, get this: when I first did my glucose tolerance test, my doctor just shrugged it off and said everything looked fine, even though my C-peptide and insulin levels were through the roof. It wasn't until I finally went to a private clinic and saw this top-tier endocrinologist and diabetes specialist that she took one look at those same results and read them completely differently. She immediately put me on Metformin and told me I needed more exercise and a total diet overhaul.
But I’m a little lost on one thing... she strictly banned carbs AND fats—like fatty meats, high-fat dairy, sodas—but you’re saying I can actually eat those?? If you don't mind, I'd love for you to break that down for me...
I'll be the first to admit I'm feeling pretty crappy today because, yeah, I haven't exactly been following the rules... I have a massive sweet tooth, and I just can't quit the snacks, the margarine and jam, the sodas... it's bad.
I have managed to cut back on fats a bit (my triglycerides used to be over 5, along with my cholesterol), and my liver enzymes were also all over the place before, though they've settled down now. I can tell you really know your stuff regarding metabolic syndrome or whatever the hell it's called, so if the mods allow it, any advice or posts you share would be a lifesaver....

Look, the energy your body pulls from food can only come from three sources: fats, proteins, or carbs.
Which means, if you follow what your doctor said, you're essentially trying to fuel yourself exclusively with protein.

Once you start pumping in something like 1,000 calories worth of protein a day (which is roughly 250 grams), your body hits a wall where it can't process the ammonia into urea anymore, so it just starts storing it. That is incredibly stressful for your internal organs, especially your kidneys.
On top of that, an overkill of protein can lead to dehydration if you aren't slamming water, because your kidneys need way more fluid to turn that ammonia into urea.

Basically, excessive protein takes a massive toll on your kidneys. You only have to look at powerlifters or bodybuilders to see how common kidney issues are in that community, usually because they're crushing insane amounts of protein just to pack on muscle.
The average person needs about 2,000 to 2,500 calories a day, and if you tried to get all of that solely from protein, you'd probably wreck your kidneys and maybe a few other organs too.

Think about it—old-school Eskimos who got about 60 percent of their calories from fat and kept their carbs extremely low were in pretty damn good shape; they weren't dealing with heart disease or diabetes.
Sure, there are arguments that you need about 20 grams of carbs a day just to keep your brain functioning normally, but let's be real, 20 grams is a tiny amount.
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#458 ·
Kevin Gonzalez66, ignoring moderator guidelines isn't a good look. 😉

I believe I made myself clear when I stated we aren't discussing this here anymore; move it to a new thread.
Olivia Anderson27 Olivia Anderson27 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Jun 2010
#459 ·
I just had some bloodwork done since I'm on birth control—everything looks fine except for this:

INR 0.95 (2-3.5)

Google says this means my blood is thick, which is probably just an effect of the pill. I'm wondering, though—is this value actually too low?
Nicholas Myers Nicholas Myers Active Member
163 messages
joined Jan 2012
#460 ·
Olivia Anderson27 said:I had some blood work done because I'm on birth control. Everything looks fine except for this:

INR 0.95 (2-3.5)

Google suggests this means my blood is thick, likely due to the pills. Is this value actually too low?

Ma'am,

don't sweat this INR reading; for you, it is perfectly normal.

You're probably wondering how that's possible when the bracketed range says 2-3.5.

Here is the deal: that range in parentheses is intended for patients on anticoagulant therapy—or, in plain English, people on blood thinners.

Healthy individuals—those not taking such medication and without coagulation issues—typically have an INR around 1.0. The "normal" range for INR varies slightly depending on the lab, but it might sit somewhere between 0.9 and 1.2.

If this single INR value (0.95) is your only concern, sleep easy. 🙂

Best regards. 🙂

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