researching health problems

January 19, 2007

Does anyone have any advice on how to get reliable

information on health problems? My bf’s doctor said his liver and thyroid

tests came slightly off. He had a blood test. Well the doctor wants to retest

in 6 weeks. But I want to find out information before then to see what could be

the causes and solutions for his possible problems (I find it is easier to talk

to our doctor if you have an idea what he might say lol) I understand thyroid

problems, since they are mostly a women’s health problem. And I’ve

made it a point to read up on many of the women’s health issues. But this

liver thing is confusing me, basically from what I understand, slightly elevated

levels for the liver mean in most cases fatty liver most often caused by excess

alcohol use or overuse of drugs (even over the counter drugs) But it can also

be from poor diet and obesity. Then I read in another article that obesity and

poor nutrition is a result of poor liver function not a cause. Then I read

about how a healthy diet can make the liver function better, then I read that

diet has nothing to do with it that liver problems are caused only by drugs and

alcohol. Then I read how you need this very specific diet (buy the book for $20)

which incidentally will get your liver clean and as your liver gets clean

you will lose weight. At this point I am so confused. So since many of you are

health conscious I thought I’d ask where do you get your reliable information

and how do you sort the truth from the half truths to the we wish it were trues?

It seems like a big jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing. I usually

sift through the information, get rid of the information wanting you to pay

money for their product and use the try and see method. In this case basically I

think that he could have fatty liver caused mostly by diet but possibly also by

his use of OTC medicine to treat his headaches plus he has tried some of those

weight loss pills. I think a healthy diet low in fat but with an adequate

amount of protein could help him gradually lose weight thus helping his liver

function better (well I would try it to see if it works). If indeed it is a

liver problem and not just a mismeasurement. Our doctor really does

expect you to have some basic information about your problems before talking to

him. But it is so hard these days to find good information. BTW my bf thinks

his problem mostly has to do with the thyroid. But he is missing several of the

major symptoms of low thyroid in men so I’m not certain. And he

wants me to see if there is a link between thyroid and liver problems. BTW

I do the research, present it to my bf and we discuss it and then he discusses

things with his doctor. Its part of my job description. J

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