Chronic Headaches: Seeking Relief and Solutions for Persistent Pain
Persistent headache I have been experiencing headaches for over a week, from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep, and the pain is increasing throughout the day. The pain is mostly concentrated in the left temple, radiating to my eyes and the back of my head. A few years ago,...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Evelyn: 1. Your condition may be classified as a tension-type headache, although there could be other causes as well. Common scenarios include migraines, cluster headaches, ophthalmic disorders, colds, and headaches induced by medications or foods. A physical examinatio...[Read More] Chronic Headaches: Seeking Relief and Solutions for Persistent Pain
Understanding Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels: Is 62 mg/dL Normal?
Blood sugar issues? What is the normal blood sugar level one hour after a meal? I measured mine and it was 62. Does this indicate a problem with my blood sugar?
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Ella: 1. In medical practice, for the convenience of treatment or discussion, the postprandial blood glucose level measured two hours after eating is commonly used as a standard. In healthy individuals, the postprandial plasma glucose level is below 140 mg/dL, while in ...[Read More] Understanding Post-Meal Blood Sugar Levels: Is 62 mg/dL Normal?
Understanding Blood Sugar Issues: When to Seek Medical Advice
Blood sugar issues? The hospital's blood test report shows an AC of 89 and an HbA1c of 5.3. Although these values are within the normal range and the lab technician mentioned that a single test may not be conclusive, during the Lunar New Year period, I experienced intermitte...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Alice: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dL after 8 hours of fasting, b. Plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, c. HbA1c (glycate...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Issues: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Low TSH Levels After Thyroidectomy: Causes and Implications
Hypothyroidism I underwent a total thyroidectomy about 4 years ago and have been taking thyroid hormones since then. My T3 and T4 levels are maintained within the normal range, but my TSH levels have consistently been very low. I would like to know the reason for this. Is it beca...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Ting: 1. This question should be directed to your attending physician, as it involves what specific thyroid disease you have, the reasons for total thyroidectomy, whether you are taking other medications, if there are any other endocrine issues, and if there are any oth...[Read More] Understanding Low TSH Levels After Thyroidectomy: Causes and Implications
When Should You Start Medication for Diabetes Management?
When should medication treatment for diabetes begin? I just received my blood test report, and my hemoglobin A1c is 7.1, and my fasting blood glucose is 118. I have hypertension and high cholesterol, both of which are controlled with medication. My hemoglobin A1c has been around ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Patient, 1. According to the American Diabetes Association's diagnostic criteria for diabetes: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL after fasting for at least 8 hours, b. Plasma glucose level ≥200 mg/dL during a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, c. HbA1c (glyca...[Read More] When Should You Start Medication for Diabetes Management?
Severe Headaches and Anemia: Understanding Your Symptoms
Headache and anemia? Recently, I've been experiencing sudden headaches at night along with anemia for about three days. The headaches are so intense that it feels like my head is about to explode. It seems to be affecting my eyes as well, as my eyeballs feel a bit painful. I...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Linda: 1. There are many causes of headaches, including migraines, tension-type headaches, cluster headaches, headaches related to head trauma, vascular headaches, non-vascular intracranial headaches, headaches caused by medications or foods, headaches related to non-he...[Read More] Severe Headaches and Anemia: Understanding Your Symptoms
Can Thyroid Cancer Patients Take Iodine Supplements After Treatment?
Can patients with thyroid cancer consume iodine-containing dietary supplements? Dear Dr. Hsiao, My mother needs to undergo iodine-131 treatment and a whole-body scan due to papillary thyroid cancer. After completing the iodine-131 whole-body scan, is it permissible to consume io...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Elaine: 1. Papillary carcinoma is the most common type of malignant thyroid tumor, typically occurring in individuals in their 20s and 30s, as well as in older adults. It may be associated with prior radiation exposure to the head and neck during childhood. This type of...[Read More] Can Thyroid Cancer Patients Take Iodine Supplements After Treatment?
Understanding Bruising and Bleeding: Could It Be Leukemia?
Bruising and bleeding during brushing? Hello, doctor. I have two or three unexplained bruises on my body and I've been experiencing bleeding while brushing my teeth, so I went for blood tests. My white blood cell count was normal, and I had two tests done about a month apart...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Chiu Rong-Ching: 1. Leukemia, also known as blood cancer, is characterized by the abnormal and uncontrolled proliferation of precursor cells of granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, or leukocytes, leading to a reduction in normal white blood cells. It includes acute lym...[Read More] Understanding Bruising and Bleeding: Could It Be Leukemia?
Understanding Dietary Sensitivities: Dizziness and Nausea After Sweet Foods
Dietary Issues Hello doctor, I would like to ask you something. Since elementary school, I have noticed that whenever I consume sweet foods or drinks, I start to feel dizzy and nauseous. This is very obvious, for example, when I drink beverages or eat chocolate. Even fruits that ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Tsai: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association, the following are summarized: a. Fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 126 mg/dl after at least 8 hours of fasting, b. Plasma glucose level ≥ 200 mg/dl during a 2-hour ...[Read More] Understanding Dietary Sensitivities: Dizziness and Nausea After Sweet Foods
Optimal Timing for Taking Metformin: Should It Be Taken with Meals?
The timing of metformin administration? Hello doctor, I heard that metformin should be taken with meals for better effectiveness. Is this true? Thank you for your response.
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Chen: 1. The action of Metformin is to activate the energy-regulating enzyme AMPK, which reduces hepatic glucose production; this consequently inhibits gluconeogenesis, as well as the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in the liver. At the same time, it increases ...[Read More] Optimal Timing for Taking Metformin: Should It Be Taken with Meals?
Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: What’s Normal?
Postprandial blood glucose Hello Doctor, I understand that postprandial blood glucose is usually measured two hours after a meal. However, sometimes I also check my blood glucose one hour after eating. I've noticed that sometimes my blood glucose one hour after eating is hig...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Miss Cheng: 1. If you eat white bread, drink high-sugar watermelon juice, and then have some popcorn, your blood sugar levels will rise rapidly, stimulating a large release of insulin, which can cause your blood sugar to drop quickly afterward. These foods not only have a h...[Read More] Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels: What’s Normal?
Understanding Pellet-Like Stool: When to Seek Medical Advice
Pellet-like stools Hello doctor, for the past two to three weeks, my bowel movements have been consistently pellet-like. However, everything else is normal; I don't have abdominal pain or constipation, and my bowel movements are smooth. It's just that the stools come ou...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Anonymous Sir: 1. If you have bowel movements more than three times a week without straining, and your stools are not hard (like pebbles) or causing any blockage at the anal opening, it should be fine. However, it is recommended that you increase your intake of vegetables ...[Read More] Understanding Pellet-Like Stool: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Incomplete Urination: Causes and Solutions
The small intestine is not clean? I often feel like I can't fully empty my bladder when I urinate. After finishing, there always seems to be some residual urine stuck in the urethra, and I have to shake a bit to completely finish.
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Jie: 1. If you do not experience frequent urination (more than 7 times a day under normal circumstances), nocturia, urgency, difficulty urinating, painful urination, burning sensation, hematuria, foul-smelling urine, or discomfort in the lower abdomen, your symptoms sh...[Read More] Understanding Incomplete Urination: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Glycated Hemoglobin: Key Questions for Diabetes Management
Glycated hemoglobin Hello Doctor, I would like to ask you about glycated hemoglobin. There is a family history of diabetes, and I have been vigilant and actively exercising and controlling my diet since December of last year. My height is 155 cm, and my weight has decreased from ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Chen: 1. The measurement of fasting plasma glucose in clinical practice refers to the plasma glucose level after fasting for more than 8 hours. The normal value is below 100 mg/dL; if it falls between 100 and 125 mg/dL, it is termed impaired fasting glycemia. For most i...[Read More] Understanding Glycated Hemoglobin: Key Questions for Diabetes Management
Understanding Hypothyroidism: Interpreting Your Lab Results and Treatment Options
Hypothyroidism - Supplement Consultation Hello Director Hsiao, thank you for your detailed response to my previous question. However, regarding the recent test results, FREE T4: 0.85 (reference range: 0.71-1.85) and TSH: 52.913 (reference range: 0.55-4.78), do these indicate that...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. JJ: 1. The results show Free T4 at 0.85 μg/dl (reference range: 0.71-1.85 μg/dl) and TSH at 52.913 μIU/ml (reference range: 0.55-4.78 μIU/ml), indicating a tendency towards hypothyroidism. Whether this condition is worsening or improving must be assessed based on the p...[Read More] Understanding Hypothyroidism: Interpreting Your Lab Results and Treatment Options
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Symptoms and Diagnosis Explained
Mediterranean anemia (also known as thalassemia) Hello doctor, I have thalassemia and often experience dizziness. I thought it was due to moderate thalassemia. I recently had a routine blood test, and the results came back quickly. The doctor said my blood is normal, with a hemog...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Mr. Wei, Thalassemia, or Mediterranean anemia, is classified into α-thalassemia (determined by four α genes on chromosome 16) and β-thalassemia (determined by two β genes on chromosome 11), both of which are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Problems arise only wh...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Symptoms and Diagnosis Explained
Understanding Hypothyroidism Management in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Hypothyroidism Consultation Hello Dr. Hsiao, my mother is 65 years old and has a history of atrial fibrillation. From March 2014 to July 2015, she was treated with Dronedarone (Multaq). During the treatment, she developed hypothyroidism, and her attending physician prescribed Lev...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear JJ, Based on the information you provided, the medications and units may be as follows: Cordarone® 200 mg (Amiodarone), Eltroxin® Tablets 100 mcg (synthetic Thyroxine), Rytmonorm® 150 mg Film-coated tablets. The lab results are as follows: T3: 0.8 ng/ml (reference range: 0....[Read More] Understanding Hypothyroidism Management in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Understanding Weight Loss: Tips for Students on Diet and Nutrition
Weight loss and slimming? Hello, doctor! 1. I am currently a student with a BMI of over 20, but compared to others of the same height, my thighs and buttocks are noticeably larger, while my waist is relatively slim. Could you explain why this is the case? Are there any methods ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Miss Lin: 1. For a 16-year-old female, maintaining a BMI (body mass index) between 18.5 and 23.9 kg/m² is considered good. It would be even better if the waist circumference is below 80 cm. As for a larger hip-to-thigh ratio, there could be many reasons, including genetic f...[Read More] Understanding Weight Loss: Tips for Students on Diet and Nutrition
Lower Left Abdominal Pain: Possible Causes and When to Seek Help
Lower left abdomen Could you please tell me if my lower left abdomen hurts when my stomach is relaxed and when I walk, but it doesn't hurt too much? I don't feel pain when sitting down during exertion. The discomfort started yesterday after exercising a couple of days a...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Anonymous Mr.: 1. You experienced pain in the lower left abdomen after exercising the day before yesterday, and the pain worsens with abdominal relaxation and walking. There are many potential causes to consider, including urinary tract stones, urinary tract infections, myo...[Read More] Lower Left Abdominal Pain: Possible Causes and When to Seek Help
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Key Blood Test Indicators Explained
Mediterranean anemia (also known as thalassemia) Hello Doctor: My blood test report shows a white blood cell count of 8.8, red blood cell count of 5.95, hemoglobin of 12.1, hematocrit of 38.9, mean corpuscular volume of 65.3, mean corpuscular hemoglobin of 20.3, mean corpuscular ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun reply Internal Medicine
Dear Ms. Cindy: Based on the information you provided, if the measurements are in the common units used in Taiwan, it is certainly reasonable to suspect the possibility of oceanic anemia. As for whether there are other potential causes, you will need to discuss this with your phy...[Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: Key Blood Test Indicators Explained