Concerns About Possible Intestinal Parasites
Greetings everyone. I’m a 28-year-old female and recently, during my morning bowel movement, I came across some white, thread-like structures. I will share a picture in the comments for reference. Currently, I am prescribed fluvoxamine, bupropion, and lamotrigine to manage my anxiety, depression, and OCD. Additionally, I take levothyroxine to address my Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism. Over the past few months, I have been experiencing considerable appetite loss, although I haven’t noted any other serious symptoms. Can anyone shed some light on what this might be? Thank you in advance!
Answers (1)
6/29/2025, 3:20:36 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about the presence of unusual white, thread-like structures in your stool, especially given your current health conditions and medications. These could be indicative of intestinal parasites, but they might also stem from other non-parasitic causes.
Explanation
Intestinal parasites can sometimes appear as thin, white strands in stool, such as pinworms or tapeworm segments. However, other possibilities, like undigested food, mucus, or fiber, could also cause similar appearances. Accompanying symptoms like appetite loss can be attributed to several factors, including your mental health conditions or even medication effects.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close watch on any additional symptoms like changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, or weight loss. Documenting these changes can be helpful.
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Diet and Hydration: Ensure you're eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated. Eating foods rich in fiber can help with digestion and may clear up any mild irritation.
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Consult a Healthcare Provider: Given the presence of these structures and your ongoing appetite loss, it is important to have a discussion with a healthcare professional soon. Consider bringing a stool sample, if advised, to aid in diagnosis.
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Review Medications: Talk to your provider about the possibility that your appetite loss could be related to your current medications. They might adjust dosages or suggest alternatives.
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Avoid Self-Diagnosis: While waiting for your appointment, it's important to avoid jumping to conclusions or self-medicating. Accurate diagnosis is key.
Stay aware of your body and make note of any new developments. Don't hesitate to seek help, especially if you feel your symptoms worsen. You're taking important steps by reaching out for advice!
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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.