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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Any Suggestions?
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Any Suggestions?
by frednick2002, Jun 13, 2003 12:00AM
My father who is 70 years old (white) has been very healthy until about 5 months ago. He is currently suffering from extreme fatique and a low heart rate. His heart rate has been as low as 31. His doctors have ruled out cancer but they still have no idea what is wrong. He has had a battery of test done but no diagnosis has been made. His is on a beta blocker and has been taking iron shots which don't seem to be helping. Some of his test results are: ESR 54, WBC 11.4, RBC 3.83, neut .76, HGB 95, BUN 7.6, ALBUMIN 34 AST/SGOT 13, CK 22, IRON 6, FERRITIN 931, C-REACTIVE PROTIEN 124, D-DIMER DILUTED .25-.5 MG/L, Polychromasia is slightly increased and there are a few target cells present. His urinalysis has BLD 25UL, RBC 10-20/HPF, MUCOUS large amounts, CA OX CRYS 1+, UR AC CRYS 3+. We are all at the end of our rope and are hoping that some one out there can point us in the right direction.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Jun 13, 2003 12:00AM
Frednick2002,
Thanks for the post.
Sorry to read of your father's ordeal.
Unfortunately, lab tests are really only useful when examined in proper context -- the implication of a given value depends on the patient from which it is drawn. A low hemoglobin count is often expected in a young female who has just delivered a baby, but is concerning in someone like your father.
Many, many conditions can cause fatigue in the elderly. I see 2 potential causes for your father's fatigue based on the information provided. One potential cause is the slow heart rate, which might be worsened by the beta-blocker. A second potential cause is the low hemoglobin level. I need to stress to you that numerous other possibilities exist.
I would strongly encourage you to take your father to see a reputable internist, not a specialist, at a large medical center. Be sure to take all possible records with you.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the post.
Sorry to read of your father's ordeal.
Unfortunately, lab tests are really only useful when examined in proper context -- the implication of a given value depends on the patient from which it is drawn. A low hemoglobin count is often expected in a young female who has just delivered a baby, but is concerning in someone like your father.
Many, many conditions can cause fatigue in the elderly. I see 2 potential causes for your father's fatigue based on the information provided. One potential cause is the slow heart rate, which might be worsened by the beta-blocker. A second potential cause is the low hemoglobin level. I need to stress to you that numerous other possibilities exist.
I would strongly encourage you to take your father to see a reputable internist, not a specialist, at a large medical center. Be sure to take all possible records with you.
Hope that helps.
Member Comments (3)
by FredZ, Jun 13, 2003 12:00AM
Have the Docs considered hemochromatosis? You didn't indicate waht the normal limits for iron or ferritin at the lab that did his lab tests. I hope he feels better soon.
by FredZ, Jun 13, 2003 12:00AM
OOPs didn' notice the HGB; seems pretty high; may be related to excess iron?
