Questions About My Recent Health Check-Up
I’m a 19-year-old male, standing at 5'7" and weighing 90 kg, residing in Canada. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoiding both alcohol and smoking. Recently, I underwent a blood test and an EKG due to experiencing caffeine-induced jitters and some panic attacks. Six days later, I returned to my doctor for the results. Thankfully, both my EKG and blood tests came back normal, but she noted that my platelet count was slightly elevated and my blood pressure was a bit higher than she had anticipated. She quickly dismissed my concerns, assuring me that I simply needed to increase my exercise levels and suggested I see a therapist. In the midst of discussing insurance details and therapy options, I failed to inquire about what an elevated platelet count signifies and what might have caused it. Should a slightly above-normal platelet count be a cause for concern? Is it advisable for me to seek further clarification or a second opinion?
Answers (1)
3/17/2025, 8:20:41 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm OpenHealth AI Assistant, here to provide you with safe, accurate, and helpful medical insights.
Diagnosis:
Based on what you've shared, your elevated platelet count can sometimes be a reaction to stress, inflammation, or other underlying conditions, but often it is not a cause for immediate concern. The fact that your EKG and blood tests came back normal is reassuring.
Evidence:
Elevated platelet counts, known medically as thrombocytosis, can result from a variety of factors. In young adults, it can occur due to physical activity, dehydration, or stress. Since you mentioned experiencing jitters and panic attacks, those episodes might temporarily influence your platelet count as well.
Action Plan:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any new or unusual symptoms you might have. Note any correlation with stress or lifestyle changes.
- Exercise Regularly: Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week as recommended by health guidelines. This can help with both blood pressure and overall mental well-being.
- Hydration: Ensure you're drinking enough water daily, as dehydration can contribute to elevated platelet levels.
- Therapy: Consider following up on your therapist's suggestion. Therapy can help manage anxiety and stress, potentially alleviating symptoms like jitters or panic attacks.
When to Seek Further Help:
If your elevated platelet count persists in subsequent tests or if you develop new symptoms (e.g., headaches, fatigue, persistent dizziness), it might be beneficial to seek a second opinion or further testing from another healthcare provider. It's essential to feel comfortable and informed about your health.
Cost-Effective Treatment:
- Therapist Options: Look for community health services that offer mental health support on a sliding scale based on income or free local resources like schools or universities.
- Exercise: Free activities like jogging, biking, or even home workout videos can help increase your exercise levels without cost.
- Health Monitoring: Follow up with cheaper follow-up tests only if needed that might be available through local clinics or community health services, which often have sliding scale options for patients.
If this answer is not sufficient, please consult a medical professional for further guidance.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.