General Medical issues thread

[Katie]

Update on my ongoing investigations. Saw the Endocrinologist for a followup appt on Weds. Unfornately SNP did the wrong test on my 24hr urine sample (sigh), so she didn't have my urine calcium results, only my blood test at SNP. I did the first test at QML, and she specifically wanted me to go to SNP for the second blood test due to machines/assays/something. Shrug.

At the appt, she gave me referrals for a Bone Density scan. Unfortunately, the QScan ~200m from home was devastated by the Feb floods, and was one of the only centres doing BMDs. She also gave me a referral for a Parathyroid scan, and next year's blood test followup, but I only need to do the Parathyroid scan after the BMD.

She called me yesterday after SNP did the right tests on my bottle of wee, and has diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism. Likely a wait and see approach, subject to what the BMD scan shows next week. I've started Vit D supplements (Ostelin was recommended) and am being careful about calcium intake.
My Mum's only recently found out about elevated calcium levels, but the good news is that she and my 95yo Grandma haven't had signs of osteoporosis. My "famous" endocrinologist uncle knows Mum's stats, and wasn't too worried for her about them. I haven't updated him on my diagnosis yet.

I think I have to be careful about kidney stones and the like, too. I have forgotten that part of the consult. :/

I probably really need to start making dietary changes for my reflux. Or stop drinking wine. Or both. I forgot to take Nexium for at least a week while I had Covid and was barely eating. I'm back on it now, but waking up every morning feeling nauseous. Blurgh.

 

[Quickstatus]

Hyper parathyroidism - hyperPT
PTH = parathyroid hormome
PT = parathyroid


Primary hyperPT
- primary because the problem originates in the PT glands (there are 4 embedded behind the thyroid gland)
- 4 times more common in women than men
- problem is excessive production of PTH due to a problem within the PT glands. Usually one of the 4 is overactive

Secondary hyperPT
- secondary because the problem occurs elsewhere causing PT gland to overproduce PTH which then increases blood calcium
- usually due to kidney disease reducing active Vit D production which reduces calcium in blood which then tells PT gland to make more PTH

Tertiary hyperPT
- due to severe secondary hyperPT - the PT gland gets stimulated so much it starts secreting excessive PTH autonomously

PTH causes the release of Calcium from bone stores, increased absorption of Calcium from the gut and intestines.
Too much calcium due to leaching from bones increased osteoporosis, and also kidney stones
Also and often causing other symptoms- loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation, confusion, psychiatric depression if severe, muscle weakness

24hr Urine calcium often done to exclude a kidney reason for the raised serum calcium - is hyperPT primary or secondary?

Check for:
bone mineral density- may need treatment of osteoporotic
Vit D levels
Calcium levels
kidney stones

Dietary changes won't help other than increasing Vit D intake (if low)
Reducing calcium intake wont help either other than stopping calcium supplementation)

Surgical removal of PTH glands may be required if young, and/or poor BMD result,and/or persistently high calcium levels
- surgery is a cure if the overactive PTH gland is removed
- PT scan done to locate the overactive PT gland
- usually overnight stay to make sure calcium levels don't plummet after surgery
- after surgery calcium levels may be low for a prolonged period of time

 

[drron]

Finally the predictions of precision medicine based on your genetic make up is getting closer.

All of Us: Release of Nearly 100,000 Whole Genome Sequences Sets Stage for New Discoveries

Nearly four years ago, NIH opened national enrollment for the All of Us Research Program. This historic program is building a vital research community within the U.S. of at least 1 million particip…

directorsblog.nih.gov

 

[TheRealTMA]

..

At the appt, she gave me referrals for a Bone Density scan. Unfortunately, the QScan ~200m from home was devastated by the Feb floods, and was one of the only centres doing BMDs. ...

For reference, Metro Radiology at Ashgrove High Point Plaza did my bone density scan.

Metro Radiology | Bone Mineral Densitometry Scan

metroradiology.com.au

 

[prozac]

Finally the predictions of precision medicine based on your genetic make up is getting closer.

All of Us: Release of Nearly 100,000 Whole Genome Sequences Sets Stage for New Discoveries

Nearly four years ago, NIH opened national enrollment for the All of Us Research Program. This historic program is building a vital research community within the U.S. of at least 1 million particip…

directorsblog.nih.gov

If they could get hold of this information insurance companies may choose not to insure you or charge according to potential issues.

 

[drron]

If they could get hold of this information insurance companies may choose not to insure you or charge according to potential issues.

That certainly can present problems. However not necessarily insurmountable.

 

[Katie]

For reference, Metro Radiology at Ashgrove High Point Plaza did my bone density scan.

Metro Radiology | Bone Mineral Densitometry Scan

metroradiology.com.au

Thank you!
Booked in at Red Hill QScan next week. Given the insistence of the endo on using SNP for my pathology samples, I don’t dare go to another radiology provider.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thank you!
Booked in at Red Hill QScan next week. Given the insistence of the endo on using SNP for my pathology samples, I don’t dare go to another radiology provider.

IQScan at Windsor used to be good but I’ve moved to Metro now. Similar I suggest.

 

[VPS]

Just posted this in the member chit chat group but think it's important

If you're not signed up please consider joining

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Thanks for your time and support.

Flutracking Australia
https://www.flutracking.net
[email protected]
phone: (02) 4924 6499
Hunter New England Population Health
University of Newcastle
Booth Building, Wallsend Health Campus
Wallsend NSW 2287

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Flutracking

 

[prozac]

Picked up a leech in the garden last week. First thing I knew was when it dropped off later into my trackie daks leg and I felt a momentary coldness on my skin. I lifted the leg of the pants and it dropped onto the floor. Strangely, the wound didn't bleed, at all. But it is taking it's time to heal and might be infected, just locally. When I remember I put a bit of betadine on the surrounding skin. I've had leech bites before but this is the first one that's infected. Didn't know I had any in the garden. I'll spare you the photo.

 

[love_the_life]

Daughter had a leech on Bruny Island yesterday. Rushed off to get Betadine!

 

[prozac]

Daughter had a leech on Bruny Island yesterday. Rushed off to get Betadine!

This is the first leech I've had that has infected. Must be dirty buggas in this neck of the woods. A week now and still a bit rosey around the hole. Keep a good eye on it love_the_life.

 

[RooFlyer]

Daughter had a leech on Bruny Island yesterday. Rushed off to get Betadine!

Animal kind, or one of the overpriced gin joints?

 

[love_the_life]

Animal kind, or one of the overpriced gin joints?

Seeing she doesn’t imbibe I am guessing the former! Feral weather there at the moment.

 

[RooFlyer]

Gym. Getting much more into it over the past 6 months ( Mr Oz, here I come ….).

Oops, no, bilateral direct hernia. . Surgery last night ( only 4 days after first saw surgeon). I’m lying pretty still!

I guess that means my 270 day streak of closing all my rings on Apple Watch (since purchase) is at an end.

But I think I will just hang out here in hospital for a while. Rain since 9 am yesterday - I’m in the orange red zone

 

[love_the_life]

Gym. Getting much more into it over the past 6 months ( Mr Oz, here I come ….).

Oops, no, bilateral direct hernia. . Surgery last night ( only 4 days after first saw surgeon). I’m lying pretty still!

I guess that means my 270 day streak of closing all my rings on Apple Watch (since purchase) is at an end.

But I think I will just hang out here in hospital for a while. Rain since 9 am yesterday - I’m in the orange red zone

T=View attachment 276019

That will put a dent in the exercise regime (and Mr Oz) for a bit. Hope recovery goes well.

 

[JohnK]

Ankylosing spondylitis
Sacroiliitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Scoliosis
Tendinitis (golfers elbow, tennis elbow, Achilles heel)
Bursitis
Plantar fasciitis
Venous insufficiency
Carpal tunnel
Swollen fingers
Swollen feet
Shin splints
Rotator cuff tear

I think that's most of them. Head up and don't show any weakness.

 

[RooFlyer]

That will put a dent in the exercise regime (and Mr Oz) for a bit. Hope recovery goes well.

Thank you L-t-L. Yes I think the other competitors in Mr Oz this year are pretty safe.

Although I did buy some weights for home to keep the upper half going

 

[Quickstatus]

leech

I heard wet tea bags can help with leech bleeding, have never tried. Tumeric another one.

I think that's most of them

Sounds like you need a new body @JohnK

 

[prozac]

I heard wet tea bags can help with leech bleeding, have never tried. Tumeric another one.

Sounds like you need a new body @JohnK

I knew about tumeric but not tea bag. Didn't need either as strangely, esp. as I am on low dose aspirin, it did not bleed.