What's New on June 1, 2002

JUNE 1, 2002

On May 2nd I had a CBC, Complete Metabolic Panel, TSH and Lipid Profile. I asked the phlebotomist to note that my TSH would be high because my thyroxine would be low due since I did not have a script. However according to the doctor on Thursday it was low indicating I was taking too much Synthroid yet I had not had any for a good week prior to the test.

My LDL was high at 209, my HDL was high but could have been higher and my triglycerides were high. Somehow the above alerted the doctor to something he wanted to test... I don't see it so maybe he didn't tell me what triggered his thoughts. Anyway, he ordered blood work drawn now and a sonogram of the Liver and Pancreas on Monday.

Complete Metabolic Profile
[CMP]
...why - Blood chemistry measures the levels of a number of chemical substances that are released from various tissues in the body. The amounts of these chemicals in the blood may reflect abnormalities in the tissues secreting them.

This is probably where the doc saw whatever triggered these tests. Maybe an elevated SGOT or elevated SGPT?

Acute Hepatitis Panel
...why - These tests are performed to detect infection by hepatitis-causing viruses. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. If I am positive for this it is autoimmune in nature.

...abnormal results - detect the presence of antibodies to each of the hepatitis viruses in serum, which then is taken as evidence of infection by these viruses. IgM antibodies appear 3 to 4 weeks after exposure and usually return to normal in about 8 weeks. IgG antibodies appear about 2 weeks after the IgM antibodies start to increase; such antibodies may persist forever. If the IgM antibody is elevated in the absence of IgG antibody, acute hepatitis is suspected. If IgG antibody is increased, but not IgM antibody, a convalescent or chronic state is likely.

Antinuclear Antibody Panel
[ANA]
...why- This test is used when autoimmune disease is suspected [particularly systemic lupus erythematosus]. This test can also be performed when a patient has unexplained symptoms such as arthritis, rashes, or chest pain.

Abnormal results - The presence of ANA in the blood may indicate:
SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus]
drug-induced lupus erythematosus
collagen vascular disease
chronic liver diseases
rheumatoid arthritis

Anti-smooth Muscle Antibody
[ASMA]
Why - Certain diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis can trigger the body to form antibodies against smooth muscle.

Abnormal results - Many patients with chronic active hepatitis, and some of those with forms of cirrhosis are positive for this test. Anti-smooth muscle antibodies can also be present in infectious mononucleosis. The test also helps distinguish autoimmune hepatitis from systemic lupus erythematosus.

Ferritin
Why - This test is measured to assess the amount of iron [which is important for red blood cell production] in the body. Ferritin is the major iron storage protein. The serum ferritin level is directly proportional to the amount of iron stored in the body.

Abnormal results - Any inflammatory disorder can raise the ferritin level. alcoholic liver disease hemochromatosis hemolytic anemia Hodgkin's lymphoma megaloblastic anemia

Serum Copper Level
Why - This test may be performed when disorders of copper metabolism and/or storage are suspected. Ceruloplasmin is the major copper-containing protein in plasma.

Abnormal results - Greater-than-normal [which if I have an abnormal, I suspect it will be higher] ceruloplasmin levels may indicate: pregnancy, lymphoma, acute and chronic infections, rheumatoid arthritis [another autoimmune disease that if the ANA is positive will indicate which way the diagnosis may go.

TSH
Why - as a screening test for abnormal thyroid function

Abnormal results - Greater-than-normal levels may indicate: congenital hypothyroidism hypothyroidism; primary TSH- dependent hyperthyroidism Thyroid hormone resistance

T4 Free
Why - performed as part of an evaluation of thyroid function

Abnormal results - Lower-than-normal levels may indicate: hypothyroidism [including: later Hashimoto's disease, cretinism, myxedema, goitrous diseases, following radoiodine or surgical thyroid ablation, infiltrative diseases such as scleroderma, amyloid goiter, or hemachromatosis, following neck irradiation for head and neck cancer]
decreased conversion of T3 to T4, as in: malnutrition systemic illness fasting use of certain prescribed medication, including: dexamethasone, propranolol, lithium, iodine, methimazole, propylthiouracil, interferon alfa, interleukin-2, and amiodarone

And then on Monday at 9:30AM... must be NPO after midnight.

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You are listening to Memories from the musical Cats, written by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot. I felt this song was a perfect selection
for this site because of the affiliation I feel with Grizabella. Although for her,
it was age and not health issues that changed her, neither of us are who we
were before, on the outside, and it can affect how we feel on the inside.

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Since December 19, 2003