Understanding Kidney Health: Addressing Concerns About Urine Changes
Kidney problems Hello Doctor: In mid-April, I started experiencing acne on my face, so I visited a dermatologist and took medication and applied topical treatments for about two months. Later, I noticed that my urine had bubbles, so I went to a nephrologist for a urine test and b...
Dr. Lin Wuxuan Reply:
Hello: Based on the partial report you provided, I believe your kidneys are generally in good condition. However, if you could provide complete blood and urine test reports, it would be more helpful in assessing your health status. Generally speaking, foamy urine often raises con...[Read More] Understanding Kidney Health: Addressing Concerns About Urine Changes
Understanding Low C-Peptide Levels: Implications for Diabetes and Weight Management
Low C-Peptide Dear Dr. Lin, Thank you for your prompt response. I apologize for needing to ask a few more questions: 1) Is there a difference in fasting C-Peptide levels between 8 hours and 12 hours? 2) Is a low C-Peptide level associated with a lower likelihood of regaining ...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
1. C-peptide: It is generally recommended to have blood drawn after fasting for about 8 hours, but prolonged fasting is not advised as it may affect the test results. 2. Generally, C-peptide is not commonly used to assess the likelihood of weight regain. 3. Based on your current ...[Read More] Understanding Low C-Peptide Levels: Implications for Diabetes and Weight Management
Understanding HIV Testing: Rapid Tests vs. Blood Draws Explained
HIV rapid test and blood draw? Hello, doctor. I had unprotected sexual intercourse at the beginning of September last year. Although I know there is a low risk of transmission, I still felt very anxious and had trouble sleeping. Around late December, I went to a health center for...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: If you are still concerned, you may consider having another check-up around six months later; if everything is still normal at that time, you can feel reassured. Thank you![Read More] Understanding HIV Testing: Rapid Tests vs. Blood Draws Explained
Managing Blood Sugar Levels: Concerns and Solutions for Anxiety-Driven Results
How to improve blood sugar levels? Last Friday, I suddenly experienced itching all over my body, and I was worried it might be diabetes. I felt very low and anxious for three consecutive days—Friday, Saturday, and Sunday—resulting in insufficient sleep. On Monday, I went to the h...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Cc: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: a. A fasting plasma glucose level of ≥126 mg/dl after fasting for more than 8 hours, b. A 2-hour plasma glucose level of ≥200 mg/dl during an oral glucose toleranc...[Read More] Managing Blood Sugar Levels: Concerns and Solutions for Anxiety-Driven Results
Chronic Illness: Recurring Colds and High Chickenpox Antibody Levels
Repeated colds for three years and varicella antibody levels? Since 2015, I have been experiencing recurrent colds, chronic acute sinusitis, tonsillar enlargement/abscess, mycoplasma pneumonia, asthma, influenza, and dizziness. On average, I visit the doctor about three times a m...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: Regarding the questions, here are the responses. Q1: I would like to ask the physician... Is the varicella antibody index a point of concern? A: Reference material: http://www.ucl.com.tw/webshop/shop/ServiceQueryInfo.asp?GoodsID=D0109032&GoodstypeID=D0&Midd...[Read More] Chronic Illness: Recurring Colds and High Chickenpox Antibody Levels
Should You Continue Anti-Inflammatory Meds for Joint Pain? When to Get Blood Tests
Should I continue taking anti-inflammatory medication? How much should the joint pain improve before I go to the hospital for blood tests? This past Monday, I visited an orthopedic doctor due to pain in the joint of my big toe near the foot. The doctor suspected it might be gout ...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Xiao Hong: 1. The pain in the joint of your big toe near the foot can commonly be diagnosed as gout, bunions, toenail ingrowth, toe fracture, calluses, cellulitis, or paronychia, among others. 2. Since you mentioned a history of hallux valgus, it is particularly impor...[Read More] Should You Continue Anti-Inflammatory Meds for Joint Pain? When to Get Blood Tests
Understanding IgG and IgG4 Abnormalities: Lifelong Medication and Health Implications
IgG: 1750 and IgG4: 208? Hello Doctor, I apologize for bothering you, but I have some questions. Recently, after several days of staying up late, I have been feeling very fatigued, experiencing dry mouth and reduced saliva. Therefore, I visited an oral surgeon, but they did not ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. I will address your questions as follows: 1. You may have IgG4-related disease, which has symptoms similar to Sjögren's syndrome. It may require long-term medication, but there might be possibilities for dose reduction or discontinuation. ...[Read More] Understanding IgG and IgG4 Abnormalities: Lifelong Medication and Health Implications
Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Health check shows elevated uric acid and cholesterol levels? Hello Doctor: I recently had a health check, and my uric acid level is 7.1, which is above the normal range. Isn't the normal value for women supposed to be less than 6.6? I currently do not have any symptoms of g...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. Kiki: 1. Elevated uric acid levels primarily refer to high concentrations of uric acid in the blood. When uric acid precipitates in joint tissues (such as the big toe joint, the back of the foot, or finger joints), it can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to go...[Read More] Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Health check shows elevated uric acid and cholesterol levels? Hello Doctor: I recently had a health check-up, and my uric acid level is 7.1, which is above the normal range. Isn't the normal value for women supposed to be less than 6.6? I currently do not have any symptoms o...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Ms. KiKi: 1. Elevated uric acid levels primarily refer to high concentrations of uric acid in the blood. If uric acid precipitates in joint tissues (such as the big toe joint, the back of the foot, or finger joints), it can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to gout....[Read More] Managing High Uric Acid and Cholesterol Levels: Dietary Tips and Concerns
Understanding Decreased Kidney Function: When to Adjust Diet and Exercise
Decreased renal function? Hello Dr. Wang, At the end of last year, my health check showed the following kidney function values: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 18.0 mg/dL, creatinine 1.2 mg/dL, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 78 mL/min. Since mid-year, I have started exercising a...
Dr. Wang Weijie Reply:
Hello, due to your high-protein diet and long-term exercise habits, it is likely that your muscle mass has increased, which may result in elevated levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in your bloodstream compared to the average person. This can lead to a decrease in the e...[Read More] Understanding Decreased Kidney Function: When to Adjust Diet and Exercise
Does Drinking Sugary Beverage Before Fasting Blood Test Affect Results?
Drank a sip of sugary beverage before blood draw? Fasting for 8 hours before a blood draw is typically required for accurate results, especially for tests related to blood glucose levels. Drinking a small amount of sugary beverage at 7 AM before a 9 AM blood draw may affect the r...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Lee: 1. According to the diagnostic criteria for diabetes set by the American Diabetes Association: 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 ...[Read More] Does Drinking Sugary Beverage Before Fasting Blood Test Affect Results?
Is Your Blood Sugar Test Accurate? Understanding Post-Meal Readings
Same-day follow-up appointment? Hello, doctor. Continuing from my previous question, that night I felt anxious and restless. After having dinner, about two hours later, I went to one of the clinics to self-pay for a blood glucose test. The nurse cleaned my finger with alcohol and...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Mr. Cheng: 1. Blood consists of approximately 55% blood cells and 45% plasma. During circulation, some plasma can seep into the interstitial spaces, mixing with the secretions of tissue cells to form interstitial fluid. Therefore, the concern you have regarding the dilution...[Read More] Is Your Blood Sugar Test Accurate? Understanding Post-Meal Readings
Understanding Glycated Hemoglobin: Managing Blood Sugar Levels Effectively
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Hello Doctor: In January, I discovered that my fasting blood sugar was 140. After one week of dietary control, I went to the hospital for a blood test, and the result showed a fasting level of 119 and an HbA1c of 7.2. The doctor gave me two months to m...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
Dear Miss Lin: 1. There are many factors that can influence elevated fasting blood glucose levels, including overeating at the previous meal, accidental consumption of caloric foods during fasting, infections or illnesses, excessive stress, the use of certain medications or herb...[Read More] Understanding Glycated Hemoglobin: Managing Blood Sugar Levels Effectively
Is It Safe to Skip Blood Tests for Stage 3 Kidney Disease?
Testing issues Dear Doctor Wu: A family member has stage 3 kidney disease and has been monitored for the past year with a serum creatinine level of 1.4, while other values are slightly elevated but stable. During the recent follow-up visit, the doctor mentioned that next time onl...
Dr. Wu Hongjie Reply:
In principle, patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease should be monitored every three months. For stages 4 and 5, especially stage 5, it may be considered to monitor once a month. Regarding the monitoring items, the chronic kidney disease improvement plan includes specific p...[Read More] Is It Safe to Skip Blood Tests for Stage 3 Kidney Disease?
Understanding Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Misdiagnosis and Treatment Insights
Antiphospholipid Syndrome About five years ago, I was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome (ANA positive, anticardiolipin antibody positive, elevated inflammatory markers, and significant abnormalities in cerebral blood flow on one side). Since then, I have been continuously ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Here are the responses: 1. The use of medication will not affect the test results. 2. The results of antiphospholipid antibody tests can fluctuate, and if tested at different hospitals or laboratories, interpretation should be done with caution....[Read More] Understanding Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Misdiagnosis and Treatment Insights
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:
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 Blood Sugar Management: Key Indicators and Medication Options
Blood sugar issues Dear Dr. Hsiao, I have been concerned about my blood sugar levels since my health check in 2004, when my fasting blood glucose was 100. I only started medication in 2015, but my weight has decreased from my usual 38 kg to the current 34 kg. For the past ten ye...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
1. For a 65-year-old diabetic patient, a fasting blood glucose level of 155 mg/dL, a postprandial blood glucose level of 169 mg/dL two hours after eating, and a hemoglobin A1c level of 6.6% indicate relatively good control. Each of these values carries individual significance, an...[Read More] Understanding Blood Sugar Management: Key Indicators and Medication Options
Understanding Abnormal Anti-Thrombin III Levels After Abortion: What You Need to Know
Abnormalities in blood test immune markers? Hello Doctor, I underwent a surgical abortion on November 6th (the embryo's heartbeat stopped at eight weeks), and on November 7th, I had blood drawn for immune testing. The abnormal result highlighted in red is: anti-thrombin III,...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, user: The issue regarding anti-thrombin III generally falls within the field of hematology in clinical practice. To ensure a complete and accurate response to your question, I recommend consulting a hematology specialist. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding Abnormal Anti-Thrombin III Levels After Abortion: What You Need to Know
Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Testing: Timing and Methods Explained
Postprandial blood glucose measurement at two hours? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask you whether the measurement of postprandial blood glucose starts from the moment the first bite of food is swallowed or after the entire meal is finished. Is it two hours? Also, when testing w...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
1. According to medical definitions, the plasma glucose level measured two hours after a meal refers to the blood sugar level taken two hours after the start of eating. Generally, this is when blood sugar levels peak, which is also relevant for clinical comparisons. This is what ...[Read More] Understanding Postprandial Blood Sugar Testing: Timing and Methods Explained
Concerns About Infection Risks After Blood Draw: What You Need to Know
The phlebotomist touches the puncture site? Hello Doctor, today during the employee health check, I had a blood draw. During the process, the nurse touched the insertion site with her left index finger (while the needle was still in place), and she also used her left index finger...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. Since I did not witness the actual procedure, I cannot make a definitive judgment. However, I will report your concern to the hospital so that the responsible department can investigate whether there was indeed a situation where gloves were not ...[Read More] Concerns About Infection Risks After Blood Draw: What You Need to Know