Pain Management :: DNA /genetic Test To Determine Medication?
Has anyone had a DNA test to determine the effectiveness of pain medication? I have chronic 24/7 migraines and take high doses of Dilaudid (16 mgs) every 3-4 hours. Even at this dosage the pain is only reduced to about a 6 on the pain scale. What were the findings from your test? Did it provide any useful information or was it a way for my pain management dr to pad his pockets? As it is I have to see him every 4 weeks and provide a urine sample every other month. After 4 years you would think he could rest assured that I am not taking more than prescribed. I'm just afraid he looks at me like a way to make more money. Any, I digress. Please let me know about the DNA testing.
View 6 RepliesAutoimmune Disorders :: Adrenal Stress Test
I was diagnosed Hashimotos this year.
Here are my adrenal stress test results:
Sample 1 - 3.4 (12-22)
Sample 2 - 6.1 (5.0-9.0)
Sample 3 - 4.8 (3.0-7.0)
Sample 4 - 3.2 (1.0-3.0)
DHEA:Cortisol Ratio - 2.62 (within range)
Latest thyroid function test results:
TSH - 2.50 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3 - 4.6 (3.9-6.7)
Free T4 - 15.7 (12-22)
Apparently my doctor says these are normal, yet when I am taking the Levothyroxine my Free T3 drops and my hypothyroid symptoms return. Am I missing something or am I the only one in the world with this problem? I presume the latter.
I am currently dairy and gluten free and my fatigue and constipation have cleared up since on the diet, however I retook my Levothyroxine and within 2 hours I was constipated. The only change I had made was retaking the Levothyroxine but I did increase my fluid intake, too. The reaction I had from the medication is making me doubt the benefits of it. Or could I be undermedicated at 125mcg? The nurse taking my blood last time said 125mcg is a lot for a little person like me to be taking!
So, in order to wipe the slate clean and start afresh with my care, I have since changed doctors and will be asking for the following at my first appointment:
Sex hormone profile - not just the testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin my endocrinologist carried out but I would like to include the ones she has *missed* - the oestrogen, estradiol and progesterone. I am sure there are others in there...
Full mineral/vitamin profile - but excluding the folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 which were done recently and including a full iron panel.
Repeat thyroid test - why oh why am I experiencing hypothyroid symptoms AFTER I take the Levothyroxine? When I reported this to my previous doctor they have told me they will end my script for Levothyroxine since they are under the impression I get no ill effects without the medication! Are they right?
Am I Pregnant? :: Positive On Pregnancy Test, Negative On Blood Test
i had my period last june 9 2014, then on june 27 and 28 i had a light spotting.den, i felt something's wrong with me..there's a feeling or slight symptoms of a pregnant woman..a boobs are tender to touch and painful..my body feel hot like i was having a light fever..than july 1 i take a pregnancy test and shows positive but faint line.. then, july 2 to 8 i got again spotting.. and goes away.. july 14 i took another pregnancy test shows again positive faint line.. i went to my ob july 18 just to know her what's happening on me. i had that light spotting again..and in transvaginal ultrasound shows that there was a thickening of the lining tells me that i am positive. 5 to 6 weeks, but i have a cyst considered benign.nothing to worry about she said. she gave me medicine duphaston good for 10 days, and i'm going to come back for a follow up appt. on july 28. again the spotting continues sometimes light bleeding, sometimes full on my liners. another medicine duphaston gud for 5 days she gave me because on the ultrasound she saw only thickening of the linings and the baby wasn't developing. then, this day august 1 i came back for the final appt, i took a blood test and shows negative. transvaginal ultrasound shows again the lining on my ovary.
View 1 RepliesBowel Disorder :: Bright Red Blood With BM
I'm new here but from what I've read I'm probably far from the first person to post about this. I'm just looking for other peoples advice/experience to help calm my nerves.
About me, I am male and 25 yo average weight/height.
For the past few months I've been having some bowel problems. Starting around October last year I began having on and off issues with some slight indigestion and small amounts of bright red blood when I had a BM. These issues would come and go. I had a small issue similar to this in 2014 and had a colonoscopy performed to check. The test didn't find anything out of the ordinary. In November of last year I had a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy performed due to the recent issues. This test came back saying that I had internal hemorrhoids but nothing else. I didn't do much to treat them and just sort of hoped they'd go away.
The mild issues continued until about late January/early February when I was hit with a week long bout of indigestion, excess gas etc. As these issues continued the bleeding ramped up until I was seeing bright red blood staining the toilet bowel each time I had a BM. It didn't seem like an immense amount of blood but it was enough to tint the water and toilet paper red. Due to these issues I went back to GI doctor around the second week of February. He did an examination with his hand and noted that I had internal hemmies and slight inflammation. He pointed this out as the most likely cause of the bleeding given the results of my previous tests. He recommended I start taking Konsyl fiber supplement and Preparation H suppositories.
After starting with the suppositories the indigestion and excess gas went away as well as the excess blood. My usual BM schedule resumed (1/day). Since then however I still see small streaks of what looks like bright red blood with each BM. Some days are not as bad as others but it seems like there is always a small amount of blood there. I've also had an intense itching sensation down there that would come and go every once in a while. Like I said before for the last 2 months I've been going at the same rate and the stool consistency is normal. I don't seem to have any excessive pain or weight loss.
My main question is for anyone who has had hemorrhoids. Can bleeding last this long? One thing I've noticed is that I seem to have fairly large/hard stools which I think may be causing trouble. I wouldn't call it constipation exactly just that the stools are large/dry and often require some light straining to expel. I also work a desk job and have a 2 hour daily driving commute. I've recently bought a seat cushion for my chair and car with hopes that it will help.
I'm sorry for the wall of text. I want to get past this but I am an extremely anxious person and this bleed issue is ruining me. I'm scheduled for a follow up with my GI in 2 weeks and am getting the sinking feeling that I'm in for another colonoscopy.
P.S. I've also had an abdomen CT scan in early 2015 due to a separate issue. No problems were found.
Bipolar Affective Disorder :: Lithium Blood Tests
Are there any doctors out there that know exactly what gets checked during a lithium blood test. Do they also look at your full blood count? I know the usual things like thyroid and kidneys but I am just wondering if the normal things get checked too.
View 1 RepliesHerpes :: How Accurate Is A Blood Test For Hsv?
I was recently found to have genital herpes in my vaginal and anal region. There are only two possible people i could have got it from, being my boyfriend and the guy before. My boyfriend has never had an outbreak, but we now know it can be transmitted even when undetected, and he's likely the transmitter. I would like to know if he is infected, so we can both prevent it spreading to him, and inform the other person that he needs to be tested.
So my questions are, how accurate is a blood test for hsv? And in what price range does the test cost to have done? Are there any other tests that don't require a person to have out breaks?
Herpes :: What Can Affect A Blood Test?
I recently decided to get a blood test done for HSV 1 and 2. No typical symptoms, but I was reading that some people never have any symptoms, so I wanted to get checked out. I have had about 10 total sexual partners, and only one that I really gave oral sex to. A few women I just kissed a bit down there, but I have always used a condom. I have noticed a slightly red fordyce on my scrotum, and some small zits around my mouth. I also take coconut oil as a general health supplement, one tablespoon a day and use it on my face before bed. I know that it can inhibit viruses including herpes, but I was wondering if it would affect a PCR or an Antibody test for the virus? I expect labs back Monday, and hopefully it comes back negative, if so I will still have to get retested in a few months since I have had recent partners.
View 7 RepliesHypertension - Necessary Blood Test Before Prescription?
I am 82 and my GP says my BP is far too high (179/90). Can anyone tell me whether it is necessary to have a blood test before treatment can be prescribed. I am a needle/blood phobic and in a state of pnic about this. MY GP has refused treatment unless I have a blood test.
View 54 RepliesHerpes :: Pcr Blood Or Urine Test - Which Is More Accurate?
went for std checks .I'm married but work away from home and I have been doubtful even though my relationship with my husband is fine . I guess I can't trust men especially that I spend long times away for work . pcr blood test for hsv1 and hsv2 were negative . but the urine test was positive for hsv 2 . is pcr more accurate or the urine in this case ? I have no symptoms . i recall having one spot years ago that was tiny and went away in few days . do I have hsv2 bases on these findings ?
View 6 RepliesCirrhosis Of The Liver :: Low BUN And Creatinine Blood Test?
Has anyone experienced low BUN and creatinine blood test? How is it common in people who have cirrhosis?
View 5 RepliesNormal Blood Test Results But Liver Problem?
Is it possible you can have normal liver function tests and a complete blood profile and everything comes back normal but still have liver problems?
View 1 RepliesPregnancy :: Glucose Test 188 And Blood Count Below Normal
So had the 1 hr glucose test today and mu glucose was 188 highest normal number is only 140 damn it. Then my rbc and hbt was below normal so im assuming im anemic.
View 3 RepliesHerpes :: HSV2 Symptoms But Blood Test Negative
I'm pretty sure I have HSV 2 (herpes) but I never got a culture, never had noticeable recurrent outbreaks, and have had a negative IgG blood test so I'm a little confused and want to know others opinions.
Almost exactly 2 weeks after unprotected intercourse I got:-
-3 hard red bumps/sores in a row in my pubic hair region (about the size of a pencil eraser)
-A few days later: extremely itchy vaginal area and thick, yellowish smelly discharge which lasted a couple days
-Possible "flat" sores on labia minora area (white circular discoloration, did NOT look like typical herpes sore clusters)
-The red sores on my pubic area seemed to crust over/come off (became flat, smooth, and whitish) after about a week then went away. I never noticed any fluid in them or oozing.
I never experienced any swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms, or clusters of white pimple-like sores. I have never noticed any re-current outbreaks. I have no history of HSV 1.
Two years after possible initial outbreak I finally got a blood test: HSV 1 & 2-Specific Ab, IgG; Venipuncture
HSV 1 IgG: <0.91 Negative
HSV 2 IgG: <0.91 Negative
(index: 0.00-0.90, Equivocal .91-1.09)
I know there are lots of cases of people not producing antibodies, so I'm wondering if it's worth getting a Western Blot? Do you think the only explanation for my symptoms is herpes?
Chiari Malformation :: Blood Pressure 236/51 On Stress Test
Today I had a ECG stress test on a treadmill and after only two and a half minutes my BP went from 140/67 to 236/51. Has anyone heard of it being so high and with such a difference in systolic over diastolic? The diastolic actually dropped while still exercising. I am told to get an echocardiogram stress test now to determine if it is extreme hypertension rather than CAD. Has anyone else had this? Could it be chiari related. I am thinking my problems are heart related rather than chiari related now, but lucky me, it could be both I suppose.
View 2 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica :: Fasting Blood Test - On Prednisone
I received a letter from a GP at my surgery requesting that I have a fasting blood test, glucose I assume. I am currently on 5 mg pred after just over 2 years. Is this necessary or useful do you think? I'm one of the 'lucky' ones who lose weight on pred and my BMI is extremely low. I have little appetite and eat 6 times a day to try to maintain where I am now! I have struggled to get down to 5 and am not sure my adrenals are doing very well. Very fatigued and not too comfortable at the moment.
View 41 RepliesDiabetes :: Fast Again - Inconclusive Glucose Blood Fasting Test ?
My Doctor gave me a call last week after having my bloods done because of feeling tired and she said my thyroid was borderline and need to go back in 6 weeks.
I've had a call today again from the GP surgery that my glucose blood fasting test was inconclusive and I will need to fast again in 6 weeks and have that done. What does it mean?
Hypothyroidism :: Thyroxine Can Give False Fasting Blood Test ?
I am on 150mcg Thyroxine and have a fasting blood test on Friday. I take thyroxine at night as it makes me feel better the next day - like my thyroid is already working/functioning as it should be. Lots of speculation about whether to take meds before a test - fasting or not and if it could give a false reading. Wish doctors could be consistent with their thyroid diagnosis, and have not published their findings on whether or not to take meds before a blood test.
View 1 RepliesMononucleosis :: Can Your Blood Test Come Back False Positive For Mono?
Are there diseases that can sort of "mask" as mono, yet be something else? Can something else other than EBV test you positive?
View 1 RepliesBlood Pressure :: Stress Test - Hyperkinetic LV And Hyperdynamic LV Systolic Function
I am a 31 year old female who was diagnosed with POTS in 2008 at that time I had a normal stress test and has always been able to tolerate my heart rate going up however over the last month I have become short of breath and have been developing chest pain with minimal activities such as showering. I had another stress test on Friday and I was only able to walk 3 1-2 minutes and became short of breath and developed chest pain also my heart rate was 98 at the start and got up to 164 then it took 2 hours to recover that's right 2 hours not 5-8 min and they had to give me iv fluids then I was sent on my way. The report showed hyperkinetic LV and hyperdynamic LV systolic function. All the dr said was it was essentially normal.
View 1 Replies