Understanding Blood Test Results: Assessing Chest Pain and Heart Attack Risk
Symbolic significance of specimens 1. The laboratory results you provided show the following values: - White blood cell count: 10,000 cells/µL (normal range is typically 4,000 to 11,000 cells/µL) - Neutrophils: 76.1% (normal range is usually around 40-70%) - Lymphocytes: 15.3% ...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, the only test result showing is a slightly elevated CRP at 0.8 (normal <0.5), while all other results are normal. Based on your tests and symptoms, a diagnosis of myocardial infarction cannot be made. If you have concerns, it is recommended that you consult a cardiologi...[Read More] Understanding Blood Test Results: Assessing Chest Pain and Heart Attack Risk
Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: A Guide to Blood Test Results
Anemia issues Hello Doctor: This is my boyfriend's blood test report: WBC 4.57, RBC 5.95, HGB 10.5, Ht 36.4, MCV 61.2, MCH 17.6, MCHC 28.8, PLT 417. Does this indicate Mediterranean anemia?
Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: It could be either thalassemia or iron deficiency anemia, and further testing is needed to confirm. Thank you for your message![Read More] Understanding Mediterranean Anemia: A Guide to Blood Test Results
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 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:
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:
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 Chest Discomfort: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Chest tightness/chest pain Hello doctor, I have been experiencing chest tightness and chest pain for more than half a month, and sometimes I have difficulty breathing. On March 17, I went to the emergency room, and the doctor ordered blood tests which came back normal. I was advi...
Dr. Zeng Guosen Reply:
Hello, online user: There are many causes of chest pain, and it is recommended to see a pulmonologist for evaluation and examination. If the emergency blood test results are normal, should further in-depth tests be conducted? This should be determined after a consultation with a ...[Read More] Understanding Chest Discomfort: When to Seek Further Medical Evaluation
Can You Drink Unsweetened Soy Milk Daily with High Uric Acid?
Gout and Soy Milk Hello, Doctor Gao. I would like to ask if it is okay for me to drink a cup of unsweetened soy milk (about 250cc) for breakfast every day, considering my fasting blood test showed a uric acid level of 7.7 (with the upper limit of the normal range being 7.6). Than...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your question. Currently, high-purine foods from vegetables, including legumes or related products and mushrooms, do not have an impact on individuals with gout or hyperuricemia! If you have never had a history of joint pain, the effect of high-purine vegetab...[Read More] Can You Drink Unsweetened Soy Milk Daily with High Uric Acid?
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:
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
Chronic Kidney Disease (Membranous): Treatment, Management, and Concerns
Chronic Kidney Disease (Membranous) Is chronic glomerulonephritis (membranous) always destined to require dialysis in the end? If treatment and management are ongoing, what should be noted in daily life? Will conditions like cold, fever, blood tests for creatinine, and albuminuri...
Dr. Wang Weijie Reply:
Hello, for membranous nephropathy (chronic nephritis), it is recommended to identify the underlying causes, manage diet, proteinuria, and blood pressure. Dialysis may not be inevitable. It is advised to follow up at a nephrology clinic for further consultation. Wishing you peace ...[Read More] Chronic Kidney Disease (Membranous): Treatment, Management, and Concerns
Understanding Doctor's Decisions on Medication Adjustments for Lipid Levels
I would like to understand issues related to medication prescribed by doctors? Hello Doctor, I would like to ask about my condition. I have been taking lipid-lowering medication for some time, and my last blood test results were as follows: the dosage is 10 mg taken every two day...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: The decision regarding medication treatment is made by the physician based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition and health insurance regulations.[Read More] Understanding Doctor's Decisions on Medication Adjustments for Lipid Levels
Understanding Post-Meal Sleepiness: Is It Blood Sugar Related?
Blood sugar issues? Hello Doctor, I seem to have a tendency to feel very sleepy after meals since childhood. It's severe enough that I often feel drowsy during tutoring, classes, and study sessions, even after eating a small amount, like a bowl of rice or a portion of rice f...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: It is recommended that you visit a family medicine physician, and a blood test can help assess your blood glucose levels.[Read More] Understanding Post-Meal Sleepiness: Is It Blood Sugar Related?
Current Status of HIV Preventive Vaccines: What You Need to Know
HIV prevention vaccine Hello, Doctor. I would like to ask if there are any preventive vaccines for HIV currently being researched. My boyfriend is an HIV-positive patient, and I love him very much, but I also want to protect both him and myself. After all, the risk of infection i...
Dr. Liao Zhongxin Reply:
Dear readers: A: Regarding <Are there any self-paid preventive vaccines for HIV in the country now?> 1. Currently, there are no related vaccines available in the country. 2. Pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis medications can be consulted and treated at relevant medi...[Read More] Current Status of HIV Preventive Vaccines: What You Need to Know
Understanding Sudden Dizziness: Possible Heart Issues and Anemia
Sudden dizziness? Hello Doctor: On Tuesday, while I was taking a bus back to school from Taichung, I fainted at the station. Before fainting, I experienced symptoms such as cold sweats, tinnitus, nausea, blurred vision, and rapid heartbeat, after which I lost consciousness. Accor...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: 1. A lack of family history of heart disease does not mean that you are personally free from heart disease. 2. Whether you have anemia can be determined through a blood test; however, having anemia does not necessarily mean that your symptoms are solely due to anemia witho...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Dizziness: Possible Heart Issues and Anemia
Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: When to Seek Treatment
Elevated white blood cell count? During middle school, a blood test revealed elevated white blood cell counts. Now, in my senior year of high school, a physical examination showed a white blood cell count as high as 18,000. After a follow-up blood test, the count decreased to 10,...
Dr. Xiao Yongxun Reply:
1. Leukocytosis generally refers to a total white blood cell count exceeding 10,000/mm³. Most cases are due to inflammatory responses, while a smaller portion is caused by leukemia. 2. The clinical steps to diagnose leukocytosis begin with a blood test to examine peripheral blo...[Read More] Understanding Elevated White Blood Cell Count: When to Seek Treatment
Rising Platelet Counts: Should You Worry About Thrombocytosis?
The platelet count has been increasing over the past three years during health check-ups? Hello, I have collected data from my health check-ups after starting work and noticed that my platelet count has been increasing. Three years ago, during my first health check-up, my platele...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: It is recommended that you consult a hematologist.[Read More] Rising Platelet Counts: Should You Worry About Thrombocytosis?
Understanding Thyroid Nodules: Connections to Past Tumors and Health Issues
Tumors have been a constant concern for me? Hello, Doctor. Recently, my mother discovered she has a thyroid nodule and needs surgery. While arranging for her hospitalization after the New Year, the doctor mentioned that my neck seemed a bit abnormal and scheduled blood tests and ...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, I hope this message finds you well. The correlation between tumors from 2002 and 2011 and psychiatric medications should be very low; if necessary, you may want to consult your psychiatrist. Regarding thyroid issues, further investigation is needed to determine if there is...[Read More] Understanding Thyroid Nodules: Connections to Past Tumors and Health Issues
Managing Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Elderly Patients: A Guide
Urinary tract infection (UTI) Dear Dr. Wu, my grandmother is 92 years old and frequently suffers from urinary tract infections. She was previously hospitalized due to an infection that caused a fever, and the bacteria entered her bloodstream (bacteremia). After being hospitalized...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
Based on your inquiry, theoretically, the bacteremia caused by the urinary tract infection should have been resolved; otherwise, your grandmother would continue to have a fever. Regarding the urine test results from the second hospital indicating an infection index of 26-50, ther...[Read More] Managing Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Elderly Patients: A Guide
Understanding Low Potassium Levels: Causes and Management for Seniors
Inquiry about Potassium (K) Testing Hello Director Wu, my mother is 65 years old. In March 2014, she experienced a mild cerebral infarction due to atrial fibrillation, but she has recovered well and can live independently. In November of last year, a blood test showed her potassi...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
Hello, based on the information you provided, here are a few points for your reference: (1) Normal serum potassium levels range from 3.5 to 5 mg/dL. A level of 3.4 is considered mildly low, and the clinical risk associated with this is not high. Complications from severe hypoka...[Read More] Understanding Low Potassium Levels: Causes and Management for Seniors
Understanding BUN and Creatinine Levels for Kidney Function Assessment
Blood tests for kidney function indicators? If both BUN and creatinine levels in the blood test are within the normal range, does it indicate that kidney function is normal? Since the calculation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is in the first stage, does this have any re...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
To confirm normal kidney function, three tests must be normal: 1. Blood tests (BUN and Creatinine) 2. Urine tests (no hematuria, no proteinuria) 3. Ultrasound examination (no stones, no hydronephrosis...) Thank you for your inquiry, and the Nephrology Department of Changhua Hospi...[Read More] Understanding BUN and Creatinine Levels for Kidney Function Assessment
Understanding the Connection Between IBS and Stomach Discomfort
Stomach discomfort? Hello doctor, recently I've been experiencing bloating and discomfort in my stomach after meals, along with nausea, frequent burping, and occasional constipation or loose stools. After eating ginger duck around the 10th of last month, my stomach started t...
Dr. Li Zhiyao Reply:
Hello: Your symptoms worsen after consuming meat. It is recommended that you chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly, avoid talking while eating, and limit the intake of hard-to-digest foods. Relax and try not to be anxious. This advice is beneficial for both indigestion and irr...[Read More] Understanding the Connection Between IBS and Stomach Discomfort