The Good, The Bad, The Ugly; Blood Work

Brendon.Dean

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Messages
136
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @Brendon.Dean, As a long term patient, not as professional advice or opinion:
Please see your doctor NOW is my request to you.
Your Gp is trained to do more than order blood tests, She should be able to interpret them (and often the pathology report is accompanied by an comment such as (purely an example not an interpretation of your results- low thyroid function, thyroid antibody tests recommended). And your GP should have the nous to pick the phone and ring the doctor reporting the blood test results if unsure about that other tests might need to be done as follow-up).
I would not expect other members of the health team to know these things as it is not fully within their training.
With further tests and even perhaps on the strength of current tests certain treatment and referrals to ? specialists/ for other tests can be forthcoming. That is your GP's job. If she is not up to it, you may need to find a better one NOW.
A basic urine test can at least confirm that you may be losing albumin in your urine (no blood test needed). Your GP can advise on further tests/referral and your endocrinologist might need to be stapled to his/her desk for more than 15 minutes to do his/her bit in sorting things out, too. Look up the usual level for albumin in the blood - if you have reported your result correctly then < 5 mg/ml is low in any one's language. The significance of that is what the doctor is there to interpret as well as the CK result.
Are you taking any other medications, just in case they might to affecting your blood work?
## You need attention now not in two week's, one month's time. Find a GP who will act NOW and not delay and palm you off.

The soonest I can see my family doctor is Thursday. I'm wait listed to see my endocrinologist sooner than my appointment date next year... Unfortunately when health care is free like it is over here it comes with a price of quality and efficiency. I can't snap my fingers and get all the referrals and appointments I need, it all takes time over here sadly. My best chance is to educate myself on what tests I need, tell my doctor to test that, ask for referrals for the clinics I researched and go from there.
 

kitedoc

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The soonest I can see my family doctor is Thursday. I'm wait listed to see my endocrinologist sooner than my appointment date next year... Unfortunately when health care is free like it is over here it comes with a price of quality and efficiency. I can't snap my fingers and get all the referrals and appointments I need, it all takes time over here sadly. My best chance is to educate myself on what tests I need, tell my doctor to test that, ask for referrals for the clinics I researched and go from there.
Hi @Brendon.Dean, Your endocrinologist may be the appropriate specialist for some but not all of the troubles your blood tests reveal.
I agree with @Contralto in requiring your GP to fax all the results to your endocrinologist but really your GP should have sufficient training to know which specialists you need to see and which is most urgent.
She could also fax your results to these other specialists as well to help speed up the process.
This is no laughing matter. You need to have a definite plan from her about what is happening and to ensure further tests are ordered if need be BUT also that specialist referrals are made and as suggested - faxing of results to help establish priority.
 
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Brendon.Dean

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Ask the doc who took the test to fax the results to your endocrinologist. there are various reasons for hypothyroidism, which you are describing symptomatically. You haven't had the test for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, so you don't know if you have an autoimmune thyroid condition. You haven't had the Parathyroid test. There are a lot of reasons for results like yours so letting your endocrinologist know about your results will lead to the most appropriate tests. As for taking Armour Thyroid, I sure wouldn't self medicate.

Do you have muscle pain? Do you drink?

Your Alanine is only slightly elevated.

What kind of eye doctor have you seen? Have you seen an opthamologist? A retina specialist? If you have only seen an optometrist, get moving and get the expertise you need.

I will bring up those tests this morning at my appointment.

Muscle pain yes, but hard to say if it's from injury and tightness.

I quit drinking 5 months ago and this year I drink very little cause it made me sick. Last year I drank in excess many days, 6-12 tall boys (beer) anywhere from 4-7 days a week consistently. Every morning I woke up nauseous and wanting to throw up when I was drinking. Gastroscopy showed like some minor scaring or something in my throat from smoking and they wanted to give me all this medication which I denied because I'm against it.

I saw an "ophthalmologist with medical retina". He said my eyes look perfect and the symptoms should dissipate with blood sugars staying within the normal range.
 

Brendon.Dean

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi @Brendon.Dean, Your endocrinologist may be the appropriate specialist for some but not all of the troubles your blood tests reveal.
I agree with @Contralto in requiring your GP to fax all the results to your endocrinologist but really your GP should have sufficient training to know which specialists you need to see and which is most urgent.
She could also fax your results to these other specialists as well to help speed up the process.
This is no laughing matter. You need to have a definite plan from her about what is happening and to ensure further tests are ordered if need be BUT also that specialist referrals are made and as suggested - faxing of results to help establish priority.

My endocrinologist should have reviews my results on Tuesday but my health care team hasn't contacted me.

I went to emergency because I couldn't cope any more and felt very ill.. I was dismissed before even getting to begin saying what was wrong. I was given 30 seconds to describe symptoms and before finished I was told this is for people who I "the doctor" thinks is dying right now and to are not. Very frustrating.
 

Brendon.Dean

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
@Brendon.Dean keep us informed on what your Doc tells you today

They said they have no idea what is going on with me. They're rechecking my TSH, free t3, free t4, c reactive protein, and sedimentata rate.

They said my blood work is normal and my thyroids numbers aren't out of whack enough to warrant medication.

They also said in June my thyroid numbers were the same but I didn't know that and don't know why my endocrinologist didn't mention it then.

I am getting a referral to see Jason Fung. He has a 2 year wait list but I might be able to get in sooner.

I'm ******. I feel no different today and have no new information about my situation.
 
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DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
Messages
14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
They said they have no idea what is going on with me. They're rechecking my TSH, free t3, free t4, c reactive protein, and sedimentata rate.

They said my blood work is normal and my thyroids numbers aren't out of whack enough to warrant medication.

They also said in June my thyroid numbers were the same but I didn't know that and don't know why my endocrinologist didn't mention it then.

I am getting a referral to see Jason Fung. He has a 2 year wait list but I might be able to get in sooner.

I'm ******. I feel no different today and have no new information about my situation.

You you have sight of your own blood results, from both now and historically? I have been amazed how some things are categorised as the same. If course, your Doc may be dealing in the "materially the same", as opposed to identical. Identical would seem less likely, but not completely out of the question.

Are they going to do your thyroid antibody tests at the same time as the TSH, T4 and T3 tests?

I feel your frustration - I've been there (over more than 2 years) and it's n either comfortable nor at all pleasant.
 
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Brendon.Dean

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
You you have sight of your own blood results, from both now and historically? I have been amazed how some things are categorised as the same. If course, your Doc may be dealing in the "materially the same", as opposed to identical. Identical would seem less likely, but not completely out of the question.

Are they going to do your thyroid antibody tests at the same time as the TSH, T4 and T3 tests?

I feel your frustration - I've been there (over more than 2 years) and it's n either comfortable nor at all pleasant.

I've only been able to see this most recent test because I did it with a different lab.

They drew two vials of blood so I'm not sure how that works.

If nothing shows up basically the answer is "I don't know what's wrong with you". My endocrinologist is going to tell me to switch from keto back to carbs. I need a new endocrinologist that supports low carb and actually is able to see me more than once a year.
 

DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
Messages
14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I've only been able to see this most recent test because I did it with a different lab.

They drew two vials of blood so I'm not sure how that works.

If nothing shows up basically the answer is "I don't know what's wrong with you". My endocrinologist is going to tell me to switch from keto back to carbs. I need a new endocrinologist that supports low carb and actually is able to see me more than once a year.

If your doctor can see your results, and comment upon them, then can't he give them to you? They are your results, not anyone else's.

I'm a total data geek, so I need to not only see all my results, but also to track them on a spreadsheet, so that any relevant trends are very simple to see.

I appreciate the regulation in Canada may differ from the UK, but in terms of data protection and access to personal data, it appears there is a lot of common ground around the world. I don't know if the following link might help your thinking in that regard: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/patient-portals-for-access-to-medical-records-canada-1.4771787
 

JAT1

Well-Known Member
Messages
563
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I thought it was important I share this with the community because I was on top of the world, on top of my game, the healthiest I'd ever been and then bam it was all snatched away just like that. Even though I persisted on continuing my routine it began to become harder to maintain and the consuming of food became uncontrollable.
The medical/health part of our lives are only part of the picture. If I were you, I would reflect on the rest of my life my medical self is part of, and seek to understand why my body is rebelling. While you are waiting an accurate diagnosis, what you learn about yourself/your life may help guide you.
 

JAT1

Well-Known Member
Messages
563
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I moved back into a very stressful and toxic environment with bad poisonous people. Every day I grind and work diligently to remove myself from this situation but like anything this isn't an over night thing.
Is this since your recent health problems started or prior ? If you are in a no-win situation no matter which way you turn, perhaps your body is telling you that you do not see all the options. I know what it's like to be digging a hole in water for years on end but sometimes we are too brainwashed by money needs and our cultural situation, speaking from my own experience only of course.
 

static192

Well-Known Member
Messages
345
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
hi brendon i know that feeling where theres somthing wrong clearly and docs carnt find out the problem iv been having bizzare problems aswell never feeling hungry my body dumping glucose sugar when i have no basal insulin on board sugars not rising after consuming simple sugars. even at the moment i feel like theres no light at the end of the tunnel i hope you get some answer i pray and hope that you get some answer and the the problem get sorted.
 

NicoleC1971

BANNED
Messages
3,451
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
-
So I've been dealing with bizarre health issues and couldn't figure out what was up but I stayed persistent and tried different tests for my blood work.

I have been extremely healthy nutrition/fasting wise and exercise wise yet my body has slowly built up symptoms which were/are scaring me and that my current health care team is not handling in a way I see fit.

I thought it was low testosterone because of my sex drive disappearing but my numbers were just lowish but within range. Now I'm thinking it's hypothyroidism as a couple more symptoms have "popped" up over the past few weeks.

Well, my blood work confirmed some things and also shocked me.

TSH- HIGH 4.23 mlU/L
TS3
- LOW 2.9 pmol/L
Alanine Aminotransferase
- HIGH 54 u/l
Creatine Kinase
- EXTREMELY HIGH 623 u/l
Albumin
- EXTREMELY LOW <5 mg/l

HDL Cholesterol-
REALLY GOOD 2.02 mmol/L
Non HDL Cholesterol-
IDEAL 2.60 mmol/L
LDL Cholesterol-
OPTIMAL 2.40 mmol/L
Cholesterol/HDL Cholesterol-
IDEAL 2.3

Without having seen a doctor yet, from what I gather is yes there is a hypothyroid issue, liver and kidney issue, and muscle or heart issue. I did suspect hypodthryoidism, and knew from the bubbles in the pee I was having an issue with protein but the tests kinda have my mind blown away.

For anyone interested these are my symptoms:



-Eyesight more and more blurry
-Floaters in left eye (Eye doctor says my eyes look great)
-Puffy eyes
-Dark circles extremely dark now
-Dry fuzzy tongue at back of mouth, sort of numbness
-Faint heart beat (52-54 beats per min)
- LOTS of bubbles in urine
-Random Headaches
-Feel hyperglycemia most of the day
-Low sex drive
-Numbness/Tingles in hand/wrist/pinky/elbow/rhomboids
-Get cold pretty easy (I've noticed this for years)
-When I eat (keto diet, or high carbs, or junk, or low cals) I feel super tired and drained
-In the evening I cannot stop eating because I feel this unfamiliar need (not a want) to keep eating. It doesn't matter if it is healthy or junk it does not go away no matter how much I consume.
-I get random throbbing in the testicles one at a time that occurs randomly throughout the day and some days it doesn't happen.
-My breathing has slowed drastically and it feels hard to breathe.
-My mood swings have become uncontrollable, filled with rage to sadness that spiral out of my control.
-Weight loss has stopped
-My body has gone from 1.5 U of insulin per meal to bolusing multiple times totaling anywhere from 5-10 U at higher blood glucose levels.
-Feelings of vertigo or confusion
-Forgetting things. I was going to check my blood sugar so I needed to wash my hand, I went to get my meter and said to myself "wait did I wash my hands yet" I had no recollection of what I did for the past minute. The only reason I knew I washed my hands was because they were wet. Stuff like this
is frequenting much more often.

I thought it was important I share this with the community because I was on top of the world, on top of my game, the healthiest I'd ever been and then bam it was all snatched away just like that. Even though I persisted on continuing my routine it began to become harder to maintain and the consuming of food became uncontrollable.

I am in the process of getting referrals to try and see Dr Jason Fung or get into his clinic or another clinic in which he has trained other professionals so that a proper diagnoses can be done as well as further testing to identify the causes of everything.
Brendon

I just saw this lady on line and thought of you. I am thinking of skypeing her for a consultation. She is a type 1 naturopathic doctor, works only with type 1s and is a type 1 herself, and this is her web site also check out her interview for low carb Breckenridge on YouTube:
https://drjodynd.com/about-jody/
 

kitedoc

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,783
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
black jelly beans
My endocrinologist should have reviews my results on Tuesday but my health care team hasn't contacted me.

I went to emergency because I couldn't cope any more and felt very ill.. I was dismissed before even getting to begin saying what was wrong. I was given 30 seconds to describe symptoms and before finished I was told this is for people who I "the doctor" thinks is dying right now and to are not. Very frustrating.
If you had taken your test results along it could have been a different outcome.