Seeking Answers: Navigating Chronic Pain and Unexplained Symptoms
Hello, doctor? Hello Doctor, about four months ago, I started experiencing a feeling of discomfort and pain in my upper abdomen, and sometimes my stomach would suddenly spasm. I visited a gastroenterologist and underwent an endoscopy, which revealed only mild gastritis. I also ha...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your inquiry. I noticed that you have experienced symptoms of dysphagia along with multiple areas of muscle pain, which may be related to rheumatology. If you have seen many specialists without a clear diagnosis, I recommend that you visit a rheumatologist fo...[Read More] Seeking Answers: Navigating Chronic Pain and Unexplained Symptoms
Managing Thyroid Hormone Levels: From Hypothyroidism to Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism to Hyperthyroidism Hello Doctor, I was diagnosed with anti-microsomal antibodies at a titer of 1:1600 in 2009, and my T4 and TSH levels were normal, indicating Hashimoto's thyroiditis (hypothyroidism). From 2009 to June 2021, I took Eltroxin 50 mcg daily, but ...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: Since everyone's situation is different, some people resume medication after stopping or reduce the dosage. It depends on individual circumstances for adjustments. Regarding the other issue, it requires an in-person evaluation to provide a response, so I cannot addres...[Read More] Managing Thyroid Hormone Levels: From Hypothyroidism to Hyperthyroidism
Understanding Fasting Blood Sugar Levels: What’s Normal?
Blood sugar issues? Hello Dr. Lin: I would like to ask a few questions. Is it accurate to measure blood glucose levels after fasting for more than 15 hours in a normal person? My son, who is slightly overweight but does not have diabetes, is currently practicing intermittent fast...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: Fasting blood glucose refers to the first blood glucose measurement taken immediately after waking up, with at least an 8-hour interval since the last meal. A normal fasting blood glucose level should be less than 100 mg/dL.[Read More] Understanding Fasting Blood Sugar Levels: What’s Normal?
Struggling with Hypothyroidism: Seeking Effective Treatment Solutions
Hypothyroidism Treatment Issues Hello Doctor, I am a patient with hypothyroidism. I have been undergoing treatment for about three years and have been taking thyroid hormone, but there has been little improvement in my lab values or physical condition. Dietary changes and exercis...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: Generally speaking, patients with hypothyroidism who regularly take their medication to keep thyroid hormone levels within the normal range are less likely to experience symptoms of hypothyroidism. Based on your description, it is recommended to first consult with an endoc...[Read More] Struggling with Hypothyroidism: Seeking Effective Treatment Solutions
Dietary Recommendations for Managing Elevated Creatinine and Low Kidney Function After Liver Transplant
Diet for Liver Disease (Elevated Creatinine + Low Glomerular Filtration Rate) After liver transplantation, I have been attending regular follow-up appointments. Each time, my lab results show low red blood cell count (2.4), low hemoglobin (11), elevated creatinine (1.3), and low ...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
According to your description, a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 43 is indeed low; however, we should not focus on a single data point but rather on the trend. It is important to determine whether 43 is lower than previous values or if it remains stable within a range (for ex...[Read More] Dietary Recommendations for Managing Elevated Creatinine and Low Kidney Function After Liver Transplant
Understanding Your Glucose Tolerance Test Results: Are You Prediabetic?
Fasting blood glucose is 105 mg/dL, and the oral glucose tolerance test (75g) results are: fasting blood glucose 92 mg/dL, 2-hour blood glucose 89 mg/dL? On March 25, my fasting blood glucose was 105. On April 10, I went to a large hospital for an oral glucose tolerance test (75g...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
An oral glucose tolerance test is normal; however, if one is in a high-risk group, such as being overweight or having a family history of diabetes, it is recommended to follow up annually.[Read More] Understanding Your Glucose Tolerance Test Results: Are You Prediabetic?
Understanding Loose Stools: When to Seek Medical Advice
Loose stools? In the past two weeks, my stools have been looser; they are formed but break apart when flushed. This used to happen occasionally, but this time it has lasted longer. There are no other symptoms. Dr. Hsieh, do I need to seek medical attention or undergo any tests? T...
Dr. Xie Rongyuan Reply:
Hello: These symptoms may be related to the food you consume or your own emotional state. Additionally, functional gastrointestinal disorders can also present in this manner. It is important to monitor any weight loss; if you experience this, you may need to visit a hospital for ...[Read More] Understanding Loose Stools: When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Concerns
Regarding the diagnosis and medication use for rheumatoid arthritis? Dear Director Gao, I apologize for the length of my inquiry and hope you can take the time to clarify my doubts. Thank you! About a year and a half ago, blood tests revealed that my rheumatoid factor (RF) was...
Dr. Gao Jiankai Reply:
Hello, thank you for your questions. Here are my consolidated responses: 1. Can anti-CCP antibodies be present intermittently? (There was a significant difference in test results just five days apart.) Could differences in testing methods cause varying results? Are there differe...[Read More] Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Concerns
Impact of Nighttime Sports Drinks on Kidney Health and Diabetes Risk
Kidney problems, diabetes? Hello Dr. Lin, I would like to ask you a few questions. For the past two years, I have been drinking half a bottle (about 300cc) of sports drinks, such as Fun or Pocari Sweat, every night before bed. Recently, I have been feeling unwell frequently. 1....
Dr. Lin Wufu Reply:
Hello: 1. There is no research confirming whether drinking sugary beverages at night or during the day makes a difference, but consuming them before bedtime may lead to weight gain more easily, and being overweight increases the risk of diabetes. 2. It is unlikely, but if there i...[Read More] Impact of Nighttime Sports Drinks on Kidney Health and Diabetes Risk
Managing Kidney Health: Concerns About Sports Drinks and Weight Loss
Kidney issues, diabetes, and constitutional problems? Hello Dr. Lee, I would like to ask you: 1. For the past two years, I have been drinking sports drinks mixed with some water from morning till night. I have developed a habit of drinking sports drinks, and drinking plain water ...
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
Drinking plain water may cause nausea; it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist. Long-term consumption of sugary beverages can increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. If there has been a significant recent weight loss, i...[Read More] Managing Kidney Health: Concerns About Sports Drinks and Weight Loss
Understanding Prediabetes: Causes, Management, and Lifestyle Changes
Prediabetes Hello, doctor. My height is 173 cm and my weight is 42.2 kg. In March, my weight was 45.2 kg. Due to weight loss, I underwent blood glucose and thyroid tests. The results showed fasting blood glucose of 96 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c of 5.7%, eAG of 117 mg/dL, free T4 of 1....
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: The normal range for fasting blood glucose levels is typically 70 to 100 mg/dL, and the normal range for hemoglobin A1c is 4 to 6%. I'm not sure what your laboratory's standard range is. For prediabetes, dietary changes and exercise can be effective in managing t...[Read More] Understanding Prediabetes: Causes, Management, and Lifestyle Changes
Overcoming Weight Loss Plateaus: Understanding Insulin Resistance
19 years of long-term distress..? I have always wanted to lose weight and have been working on it for a long time. I found a lot of information online. My weight is 131.5 kg, and my height is 182 cm, which is really heavy. I have tried going to the gym and measured my body compos...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: Based on your situation, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination to rule out any abnormal conditions in your body. Then, you can proceed with the next steps.[Read More] Overcoming Weight Loss Plateaus: Understanding Insulin Resistance
Understanding Cholesterol and Triglyceride Changes in Health Checkups
Health check report: Elevated cholesterol levels, but decreased triglycerides? Hello, doctor. Three years ago, my health check report showed a height of 156 cm and weight of 48.3 kg, with total cholesterol at 202 mg/dL, HDL at 85 mg/dL, LDL at 107 mg/dL, and triglycerides at 50 m...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: The main factors affecting triglycerides include a high-fat, high-calorie diet, overweight and increased waist circumference, diabetes, alcohol consumption, and the use of female hormones. The sources of cholesterol come partly from synthesis and metabolism in the liver an...[Read More] Understanding Cholesterol and Triglyceride Changes in Health Checkups
Understanding Foot Edema: Causes, Concerns, and Solutions
Foot edema Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing swelling in my feet for the past six months. Sometimes my feet feel sore before bed or upon waking up. However, I had a blood test in February, and all basic parameters, including liver and kidney functions, were normal. The only ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 91.7 is within the normal physiological range and should not be directly related to edema. Based on your description, it is likely due to poor vascular elasticity, which can lead to inadequate blood circulation and subsequent edema. Va...[Read More] Understanding Foot Edema: Causes, Concerns, and Solutions
Understanding Body Temperature: When to Worry and COVID-19 Concerns
Temperature Inquiry Due to the pandemic, there is heightened sensitivity to temperature readings. Recently, my ear temperature has been fluctuating around 37.1 to 37.5 degrees Celsius, and sometimes it even reaches 37.8 degrees when the thermometer is inserted deeper into the ear...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, indeed, each person's baseline body temperature is different, and thermometers can have discrepancies. It is recommended to use a thermometer from a hospital or a public health facility for measurement. If it reads around 37 degrees Celsius, this may be your baseline ...[Read More] Understanding Body Temperature: When to Worry and COVID-19 Concerns
Understanding Blood Pressure and HbA1c Levels: Key Insights for Patients
Issues related to blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin? 1. My father is 71 years old. During his health check-up, his hemoglobin A1c level was 6.1. The criteria for passing at the clinic is below 6. The physician there mentioned that levels below 6.7 do not qualify as diabetes....
Dr. Li Jian Reply:
A hemoglobin A1c level of 6.5 or higher can diagnose diabetes. If the hemoglobin A1c continues to rise, early intervention with glucose-lowering medications may be considered to prevent the onset of diabetes; however, these medications may require out-of-pocket expenses. For low ...[Read More] Understanding Blood Pressure and HbA1c Levels: Key Insights for Patients
Understanding Sudden High Blood Pressure and Kidney Hydronephrosis
Sudden onset of elevated blood pressure and hydronephrosis? Hello Doctor: I am 31 years old and have a regular habit of donating blood. My blood pressure has never exceeded the normal range until mid-April this year when my company conducted a health check, and my blood pressure ...
Dr. Wu Jiyu Reply:
First, let's define what hypertension is. If you only have hypertension, your target is to maintain blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg. However, if you have comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes, the target should be below 130/80 mmHg. Based on your current ...[Read More] Understanding Sudden High Blood Pressure and Kidney Hydronephrosis
Understanding Tongue Pain: The Role of B12 Deficiency and Parasites
Tongue pain and issues related to vitamin B12 deficiency and parasitic infections (long text)? Hello Doctor, I mainly want to ask about parasites and gastrointestinal issues. Here are my personal details: At the age of 12, I contracted pneumonia and took antibiotics for a month ...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
1. Theoretically, eosinophil levels may rise during a parasitic infection; however, this is not absolute, as many individuals with parasitic infections may have normal test results. 2. Indeed, when testing stool for ova, unless the parasite is shedding eggs at the time of testi...[Read More] Understanding Tongue Pain: The Role of B12 Deficiency and Parasites
Concerns About Wakamoto: Safety and Effects on Health
Dietary Concerns I have suffered from irritable bowel syndrome since a young age, and my weight has always been around 50 kg. I am 178 cm tall. After a minor surgery for a sebaceous cyst last year, I took antibiotics, which worsened my condition and also led to an anal fissure. L...
Dr. Hong Yuanbin Reply:
Hello, beer yeast is essentially a type of yeast that does not contain alcohol, so it does not harm the pancreas. Wakamoto is a probiotic component, similar to many probiotic products available on the market, used for gut health. As long as there are no underlying immune deficien...[Read More] Concerns About Wakamoto: Safety and Effects on Health
Ants in the Bathroom: Could It Indicate Diabetes Symptoms?
There are ants in the bathroom? Hello doctor, my mother has a family history of diabetes. There are many ants outside my house and on the upper floor due to the flower beds. I remember that when I was in elementary school, there were always ants in the bathroom (possibly because ...
Dr. Lin Jianliang Reply:
Hello: It is advised not to use urine to attract ants as a method to determine if one has diabetes. The other symptoms you mentioned are also not reliable indicators of diabetes. It is recommended to get tested at a hospital.[Read More] Ants in the Bathroom: Could It Indicate Diabetes Symptoms?