Aa
blood tests
under METABOLIC PANEL,COMPREHENSIVE, my carbon dioxide is 16, normal is 19-30.should this be of a concern?my dr said all lab work was fine, this doesent look fine to me, is it?
Best Answer
Agree with ed34. Also, if it is a one-time finding and your metabolic panel results have always been normal except for this one test on this one occasion, then it's probably not a big deal. Along the same lines, if this was part of a routine physical, and you have no particular symptoms, then again it's probably not a big deal. It could be a fluke thing or a lab error or just some inexplicable random result. If, on the other hand, you have major symptoms, and you haven't gotten a good explanation and treatment plan for your symptoms, then that's a different matter. Medical tests almost always have to be interpreted in the context of everything else that is going on, including your other test results and the situation or reason for ordering the test. So the context of the result is critical, and the tests have to be interpreted on that basis. If you have symptoms that are troubling you, then I would go back and complain and want more to be done. If not, then I would probably just accept the doctor's interpretation, at least for now, that the low CO2 was not important. Good luck.
Anybody should be able to breath easily while lying flat on his or her back, as easily as in any other position. I'm sorry you are having so much discomfort and distress. I hope you can get some help.
The issue with the Mrsa is I cant get a Dr. to test me. I know how I got it, I used to go once aweek to the nursing home and bathe the woman I used to take care of in her home. She had it, I didnt know what it was at the time. Her husband also got it. I have no doubt in my mind I had it and it is dormat. I need to be tested and I can not get a Dr. to do it. Along with this and everything else I am going to call my Dr. Case Manager tomarrow instead of waitting until the 24th .
I laid on my back and it felt like my throat was comming out my ears and my ears throbbed and face felt like it was swelling, it wasent but felt like it. The breathing wasent as easy as sitting but i could still breath, uncomfortably.How should of it felt like?
If you have depression, and if the Wellbutrin is helping your mood, then maybe you should take it. I do find it interesting that your mood improved after you were off of all psychotropic meds for a sustained period of time. But if you have a good response to the Wellbutrin, more power to you. There is a Depression forum on this site where you can get more feedback on your mood issues, should you choose to post there.
Regarding the MRSA, I don't think you should assume you have it unless you are tested and found to have it. The course you describe with the spider bite can happen without any bacterial infection, just from the toxin of the bite. This is well-known to happen with brown recluse bites. The brown recluse would be the classic example of a species that can do this, but there are probably other species of spider that can produce the unfortunate result that you had. I believe some people have even died from spider bites. So yes, if you need to be tested for MRSA in order to have your mind put at rest about it, then so be it, but I don't see any reason to assume you have MRSA. Spider bites can be horrible, in and of themselves.
About the blood pressure, I find it surprising that the doctor didn't put you on any medication for that, if he diagnosed you with hypertension. How high does your blood pressure run, and did he schedule you for a return appointment?
About the EKG, if it showed probable left atrial enlargement, then that could be from having untreated high blood pressure for a long time. It is an expected result to have enlargement of the left ventricle under those circumstances. Your heart pounding could be from that. After the blood pressure has been controlled and has been back to normal for a while, the heart can often remodel back to a more normal size again.
The other symptoms that you have could mean a lot of different things, depending on the total picture of what is going on with you. The most concerning thing that you have mentioned is shortness of breath at rest. If that only happens every once in a great while, then maybe it is due to the position you are sitting in or something of that nature. If it is happening routinely, and you can't even have a conversation in a sitting position without getting short of breath, then that is a huge problem. Can you lie flat on your back without having any trouble breathing?
Regarding the MRSA, I don't think you should assume you have it unless you are tested and found to have it. The course you describe with the spider bite can happen without any bacterial infection, just from the toxin of the bite. This is well-known to happen with brown recluse bites. The brown recluse would be the classic example of a species that can do this, but there are probably other species of spider that can produce the unfortunate result that you had. I believe some people have even died from spider bites. So yes, if you need to be tested for MRSA in order to have your mind put at rest about it, then so be it, but I don't see any reason to assume you have MRSA. Spider bites can be horrible, in and of themselves.
About the blood pressure, I find it surprising that the doctor didn't put you on any medication for that, if he diagnosed you with hypertension. How high does your blood pressure run, and did he schedule you for a return appointment?
About the EKG, if it showed probable left atrial enlargement, then that could be from having untreated high blood pressure for a long time. It is an expected result to have enlargement of the left ventricle under those circumstances. Your heart pounding could be from that. After the blood pressure has been controlled and has been back to normal for a while, the heart can often remodel back to a more normal size again.
The other symptoms that you have could mean a lot of different things, depending on the total picture of what is going on with you. The most concerning thing that you have mentioned is shortness of breath at rest. If that only happens every once in a great while, then maybe it is due to the position you are sitting in or something of that nature. If it is happening routinely, and you can't even have a conversation in a sitting position without getting short of breath, then that is a huge problem. Can you lie flat on your back without having any trouble breathing?
I was diagnosed in 2005 with a Major Depressive Disorder and that was the last time I had any lab work done.In 2009 after 4 years maybe a little less of being on max dose of Adderall,max dose of Wellbutrin, Valium and Gapapenten the Dr. changed all my meds and as I was trying to make the transition I fell into the worst depression I had ever experienced and basically withdrew into my house until 3 months ago. I aplogize for the error in years maybe it just felt like 15 years. So these are the symptoms I have noted over time. As far as the Mrsa goes all the symptoms match the internet, the small spider bite that grew and was hot and hurt,then the skin broke open to a hole a inch deep with white puss, I couldnt move for almost 2 months , the pain down my right thigh became spasums I went to the E.R two times. The wound healed over and the scar is big and ugly and I have nerve or muscle damage in my right calf that when I walk a short distance my foot falls outward.I believe it was Mrsa so to be safe shouldnt a test be done to findout so I stop worring? I found the the paper from the EKG it says Probable left atrial enlargement. I have always had high blood pressure. On the first line of my lab work it says underMetabolic Panel, Comprehensive{80053}
Diagnosis: Elevated blood pressure {796.2}
I forgot to mention the tips of my fingers go numb often, both hands, sometimes at the same time, my right ankle swells more then my left one.again today my vision in my right eye temporaryly went blurry, this makes it the 4th time this week. I dont do salt but Iam sure there is salt in salad dressing. My dad and sister both have high blood pressure.
During these past years I have gone from a pant size 14/16 to 18/20 and 34bcup to 38ccup.
my new dr is out until the 24th of july should I take my concerns to his case manager?He has only been a dr. for 6 years?but I dont want to complain unless I have reason to.
I guess since I decide I wanted to live now that the doctor should care also.thank u for your time.
Diagnosis: Elevated blood pressure {796.2}
I forgot to mention the tips of my fingers go numb often, both hands, sometimes at the same time, my right ankle swells more then my left one.again today my vision in my right eye temporaryly went blurry, this makes it the 4th time this week. I dont do salt but Iam sure there is salt in salad dressing. My dad and sister both have high blood pressure.
During these past years I have gone from a pant size 14/16 to 18/20 and 34bcup to 38ccup.
my new dr is out until the 24th of july should I take my concerns to his case manager?He has only been a dr. for 6 years?but I dont want to complain unless I have reason to.
I guess since I decide I wanted to live now that the doctor should care also.thank u for your time.
Wellbutrin will not do a thing for swollen ankles, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations. With those symptoms, I would question whether some of the weight gain could be excess fluid, and not just fat. Shortness of breath at rest is very concerning. Blood pressure can't be 796.2, so we really don't know what your blood pressure was. I'm just scratching the surface here. Untreated MRSA, you seriously know you have that?
It sounds to me like you have a lot of things that need to be looked into and addressed. You have major symptoms and no medical care for 15 years. One doctor's visit and a script for Wellbutrin isn't going to get you healthy. You need continuing care from a good PCP that you feel you can trust. There may also be lifestyle issues that you will need to address, such as if your are obese, if you smoke, etc., then you will need to make changes, and those changes may be more important than anything the doctor can do for you.
Glad you're wanting help and ready to do something. Keep us posted.
It sounds to me like you have a lot of things that need to be looked into and addressed. You have major symptoms and no medical care for 15 years. One doctor's visit and a script for Wellbutrin isn't going to get you healthy. You need continuing care from a good PCP that you feel you can trust. There may also be lifestyle issues that you will need to address, such as if your are obese, if you smoke, etc., then you will need to make changes, and those changes may be more important than anything the doctor can do for you.
Glad you're wanting help and ready to do something. Keep us posted.
thank you both for your answeres.Well i finally got the nerve to go see a Dr. for the first time in 15 years, the lab work was supposed to be for a complete physical since I am 51 and never had one but I feel it is incomplete since I cannot find my RBC or WBC levels
TSH W/REFLEX Free T4=2.69 but no T3 Test was done.
cholesterol,total=193,range is 125-200.
HDL CHOLESTEROL=42,RANGE-46
TRIGLYCERIDES=188,RANGE=150
LDL CHOLESTEROL-112,RANGE=130
HEMOGLOBINA1c-5.3,RANGE=5.7
CREATININE,RANDOM URINE=242,RANGE30-320
MICROALBUMIN=2.0,RANGE not posted
microalbumin,creatinine ratio,random urine=8,range=30
does anything jump out as a concern?
my blood preasure was elevated to 796.2
I recieved only wellbutrin for my depression.
Systems include weight gain,swollen anckles,heart pounds at a rest.Loose my breath just sitting,4 times in my right eye my vision went blurry, not for long but long enough I had to pull over. I had a EEG done from paramedics and was told to take the results to my Dr.it said my left ventrcol valve something but the dr was not concerned. I had migrains my hole life but a month ago I had the worst headache ever and last I have untreated MRSA, as just as the ER drs this doctor wasent concerned and dismissed it.My mom past at age 52 from SCHWANNOMIA through her intestines, Dr. says its not herditary, no concern.
So you have it all am i just being negative or should I talk to my Dr about this?
TSH W/REFLEX Free T4=2.69 but no T3 Test was done.
cholesterol,total=193,range is 125-200.
HDL CHOLESTEROL=42,RANGE-46
TRIGLYCERIDES=188,RANGE=150
LDL CHOLESTEROL-112,RANGE=130
HEMOGLOBINA1c-5.3,RANGE=5.7
CREATININE,RANDOM URINE=242,RANGE30-320
MICROALBUMIN=2.0,RANGE not posted
microalbumin,creatinine ratio,random urine=8,range=30
does anything jump out as a concern?
my blood preasure was elevated to 796.2
I recieved only wellbutrin for my depression.
Systems include weight gain,swollen anckles,heart pounds at a rest.Loose my breath just sitting,4 times in my right eye my vision went blurry, not for long but long enough I had to pull over. I had a EEG done from paramedics and was told to take the results to my Dr.it said my left ventrcol valve something but the dr was not concerned. I had migrains my hole life but a month ago I had the worst headache ever and last I have untreated MRSA, as just as the ER drs this doctor wasent concerned and dismissed it.My mom past at age 52 from SCHWANNOMIA through her intestines, Dr. says its not herditary, no concern.
So you have it all am i just being negative or should I talk to my Dr about this?
If this was done via blood testing, I think they simply check bicarbonate levels. The levels can vary between different labs and their normal range can be different too. If the rest of the blood tests were fine, then this won't be pointing to a problem such as low electrolyte levels or kiidney issues.
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