Blood test, Family Medicine FAQ - Page 24

Regarding my father's foot pain? My father is 61 years old and has a habit of exercising in the morning, either by walking or doing calisthenics. However, he often experiences swelling and pain in his ankles or the tops of his feet. After resting for a few days, his conditio...

Regarding the physical issues following a mother's surgery? Hello Doctor: Since my mother underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right knee two years ago, her health has changed significantly. For example, the palms of her hands have become inexplicably hardened, resembling d...

Is it necessary to refrain from drinking water before a blood test? (Forwarded from the Director's mailbox) I have a question. For routine blood tests measuring cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose, I heard that one must refrain from drinking water the night before....

Stung by a jellyfish while drifting at sea..? Hello Dr. Liao, Last year, after the typhoon, I participated in a beach cleanup on an offshore island and noticed some syringes among the marine debris. Afterward, I discovered some puncture wounds on my hand. I am concerned about t...

Salt intake Hello: In the past two years, whenever I consume foods high in salt, I experience a stinging sensation in my skin, excessive sweating, and significant discomfort. The more salty the food, the stronger the sensation, but there is no swelling. I also feel easily fatigue...

Fever of unknown origin and headache? Doctor: Recently, my friend has been experiencing unexplained fevers and headaches. The first time I took him to a large hospital's emergency department, the doctor only performed a rapid test and, after seeing the results, stated that i...

Headache with vomiting? Hello, a friend of mine has been experiencing headaches that lead to vomiting for about four to five years, occurring approximately three to four times a year. However, this year the situation has worsened, with episodes happening twice a month. Previous t...

Please ask your question? Hello! To test for G6PD deficiency (favism), is it sufficient to perform a regular blood test? Additionally, how much does this test typically cost out-of-pocket, and which department should I consult? Thank you!

About cholesterol? Hello, doctor. I am currently undergoing treatment for hyperthyroidism and am in the medication reduction phase. My physical condition has mostly returned to normal. However, due to the medication, I have gained about two to three kilograms compared to before t...

Abnormal red blood cell count & peritonitis I recently received my health check report, and my red blood cell values are abnormal. My red blood cell count (RBC count) is 5.34 (H), with a reference range of 3.9-5 x 10^6/µL. My mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is 66.8 (L), with a ...

Oral herpes simplex virus Hello Dr. Tsai, My eldest son is 12 years old. He received the varicella vaccine late in childhood, has had shingles, experienced issues with the trigeminal nerve, and almost developed cellulitis from dental cavities that required root canal treatment. ...

Liver function Hello, doctor. I recently had a blood test and found that my ALT (SGPT) level is 71, while the normal range is up to 41, so it's only slightly elevated. I would like to ask if this is considered liver dysfunction. Thank you for taking the time to answer!

Red blood cells Hello Doctor: I recently received my health check report, which indicates that my red blood cell count is 5.27 (reference range for females is 4.0–5.2) — indicating an increase in red blood cell count. Is my red blood cell count really abnormal? What could be the ...

Health check-up issues Hello, I would like to inquire about the general health check-up for new employees at a company. The items are as follows: 1. Should I schedule an appointment with a family medicine physician? 2. Is it necessary to make a reservation in advance, or can I ...

Hepatitis B and abdominal ultrasound? Hello, doctor: I received the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine two years ago, but I did not receive the subsequent two doses. Does being able to receive the vaccine indicate that my hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is negative (meanin...

Mediterranean anemia (also known as thalassemia) Hello Doctor, I recently underwent an electrophoresis test and would like to ask about my results. My mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is normal, but my hemoglobin A1 and F levels are abnormal. Does this mean I have thalassemia? Here ...

Hyperthyroidism, frozen shoulder, and a sensation of pressure in the neck? Hello, I am fifty-five years old. I had hyperthyroidism at the ages of twenty-four and thirty-two, and it has recurred this year. I have been seeing a specialist at a large hospital and have been on medica...

Unknown gas Hello: Today, while passing by a certain location, I noticed a worker spraying some kind of gas that had a paint-like odor. Although I passed quickly, my eyes and skin were still exposed to this gas, and I inhaled a small amount of it. Currently, my eyes and skin feel...

Bilateral leg edema and abdominal pain? My mother is 60 years old. About half a month ago, she discovered severe edema in her right leg (the left leg also has some edema, but it is milder). Additionally, she has been experiencing abdominal pain. After blood tests, all indicators ...

Is there a risk of HIV infection from mistakenly wearing someone else's underwear? Hello doctor, during my military training for swimming, I accidentally wore someone else's unwashed underwear or swim trunks a few times due to a tight schedule (everyone's underwear...