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What Do My Lab Test Reports Indicate?
Question: Hello, I am a 76 year old Male of XXXXXXX decent.
I have history of enlarged prostate and I currently have difficulty passing feces. I have been recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I am also experiencing sudden block outs. This 'block out' occurs suddenly, for instance, if I am walking i will suddenly freeze and I lose control over my body so if I have something in my hand it will fall to the ground and my feet move with a trembling/jerking motion and my family members have to hold me up. When this episode occurs, sometimes my eyes roll over and my brain seems to be mixing up as my speech is slurred and i talk random things (but this is just temporary). When this is over i remember it happening and I do not have any memory loss. I am really concerned about the prostate though as I feel like it is blocking off my passage so i have to strain to pass feces. I went to the doctor last week Saturday and explained my situation but the doctor said he was more concerned about the blocking out and ordered a blood test, ECG test and a brain CT scan. I completed the ECG test and blood test and got back the results yesterday. I took them to the doctor today and was told that the ECG is normal. However, I was not too comfortable with how he explained the blood test results. I have uploaded the blood test results and would like you to explain to me what those results mean. Also, the doctor said these tests did not show anything regarding what could be causing the block outs and that I should do the brain CT scan and return to him when I have the results. I was also told at my first visit to the doctor that my blood pressure was high and was given two different types of pressure pills which I did not take as my pressure went down days after. I was also give a pill called Plagril 75mg and told that its for circulation cause maybe enough oxygen is not reaching my brain. I am confused and not sure what to do at this point. Please advise me on: 1. What does the results of my attached blood test mean? Can you please explain any concerns that may arise as a result of this blood test.
2. Based on what I explained what could be the cause of the block outs I am experiencing.
3. Does the enlarged prostate has anything to do with me being constipated?
4. Please offer any other advise or enlighten me of any other health concerns I should have based on my symptoms and attached blood test.
Thank you in advance.
I have history of enlarged prostate and I currently have difficulty passing feces. I have been recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. I am also experiencing sudden block outs. This 'block out' occurs suddenly, for instance, if I am walking i will suddenly freeze and I lose control over my body so if I have something in my hand it will fall to the ground and my feet move with a trembling/jerking motion and my family members have to hold me up. When this episode occurs, sometimes my eyes roll over and my brain seems to be mixing up as my speech is slurred and i talk random things (but this is just temporary). When this is over i remember it happening and I do not have any memory loss. I am really concerned about the prostate though as I feel like it is blocking off my passage so i have to strain to pass feces. I went to the doctor last week Saturday and explained my situation but the doctor said he was more concerned about the blocking out and ordered a blood test, ECG test and a brain CT scan. I completed the ECG test and blood test and got back the results yesterday. I took them to the doctor today and was told that the ECG is normal. However, I was not too comfortable with how he explained the blood test results. I have uploaded the blood test results and would like you to explain to me what those results mean. Also, the doctor said these tests did not show anything regarding what could be causing the block outs and that I should do the brain CT scan and return to him when I have the results. I was also told at my first visit to the doctor that my blood pressure was high and was given two different types of pressure pills which I did not take as my pressure went down days after. I was also give a pill called Plagril 75mg and told that its for circulation cause maybe enough oxygen is not reaching my brain. I am confused and not sure what to do at this point. Please advise me on: 1. What does the results of my attached blood test mean? Can you please explain any concerns that may arise as a result of this blood test.
2. Based on what I explained what could be the cause of the block outs I am experiencing.
3. Does the enlarged prostate has anything to do with me being constipated?
4. Please offer any other advise or enlighten me of any other health concerns I should have based on my symptoms and attached blood test.
Thank you in advance.
Brief Answer:
Your answers as follows.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. I will try to answer your questions one by one.
1. Regarding your test result your doctor is right in saying that there is nothing which would explain those blocking out episodes or the constipation. There is only a very slight anemia and a very slightly lowered kidney function. Both are only minimally altered, do not need any intervention of any kind, I would advise simply to repeat tests in about 3 months to check for any further drop of the values.
2. As for the cause of the black outs, one possibility would be that of an epileptic seizure. At your age that doesn't usually come out of nothing, usually related to a brain lesion such as a stroke or a tumor.
Another possibility would be that of a narrowing of the blood vessels in your neck causing a temporary drop of blood flow to the brain.
A heart arrhythmia is another possibility which could also cause a drop of blood flow to the brain.
So your doctor seems to be aware of those possibilities an ordered EKG for heart arrhythmia as well as Head CT for brain lesions. He also added a blood thinner such as Clopidogrel (Plagril) so that until you have your CT you have some protection from stroke. I would add to those tests a Doppler ultrasound of the neck vessels, or if possible when having the CT to have also Angio CT of the head and neck vessels (a contrast technique to visualize blood vessels). Also an EEG is advised for epileptic brain electrical activity.
3. Prostate enlargement is not related to constipation, it may be an obstacle to urination, not defecation.
4. I more or less made my recommendations: blood tests raise no particular concerns, should have EEG and imaging of blood vessels.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Your answers as follows.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. I will try to answer your questions one by one.
1. Regarding your test result your doctor is right in saying that there is nothing which would explain those blocking out episodes or the constipation. There is only a very slight anemia and a very slightly lowered kidney function. Both are only minimally altered, do not need any intervention of any kind, I would advise simply to repeat tests in about 3 months to check for any further drop of the values.
2. As for the cause of the black outs, one possibility would be that of an epileptic seizure. At your age that doesn't usually come out of nothing, usually related to a brain lesion such as a stroke or a tumor.
Another possibility would be that of a narrowing of the blood vessels in your neck causing a temporary drop of blood flow to the brain.
A heart arrhythmia is another possibility which could also cause a drop of blood flow to the brain.
So your doctor seems to be aware of those possibilities an ordered EKG for heart arrhythmia as well as Head CT for brain lesions. He also added a blood thinner such as Clopidogrel (Plagril) so that until you have your CT you have some protection from stroke. I would add to those tests a Doppler ultrasound of the neck vessels, or if possible when having the CT to have also Angio CT of the head and neck vessels (a contrast technique to visualize blood vessels). Also an EEG is advised for epileptic brain electrical activity.
3. Prostate enlargement is not related to constipation, it may be an obstacle to urination, not defecation.
4. I more or less made my recommendations: blood tests raise no particular concerns, should have EEG and imaging of blood vessels.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
To increase urine flow
Detailed Answer:
Flomax is used to facilitate urine flow. It does that by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck making it easier for the urine to pass.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
To increase urine flow
Detailed Answer:
Flomax is used to facilitate urine flow. It does that by relaxing the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck making it easier for the urine to pass.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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