Annual Labwork Dec 2022

 All levels of cholesterol are now out of the normal range:

Total Cholesterol: 207, was 185.  (<200)

HDL: 38, was 39 (>50)

LDL: 126, was 98 (<100)

Triglycerides: 299, was 358 (<150)  (mainly caused by too many calories.  Need to eat less and exercise more)

CHOL/HDLC ratio: 5.4, was 4.7 (<5.0)

NON HDL Cholesterol: 169, was 146 (<130)

Had a respiratory allergy test done also (Class range 1-5, 5 being worst).  Surprised with some of these:

Allergic to dust mites (2 & 3), cats (2), dogs (3!), cockroach (1), Alder and bermuda grass (3), Mtn Cedar (4), Olive tree, walnut tree, Elm, Timothy Grass, Johnson Grass (2), Oak (5), Cottonwood, Common Ragweed, Russian Thistle (1).

Immunoglobulin:  1001 (<114).  Guess I am in a highly allergic state.  Which is odd because I don't really have allergy symptoms right now.  Roshan suggested maybe it's Roscoe and I just got used to it.  Or right now there's medium levels of Alder.  If it's this high now, wonder what it will be when its allergy season. 

Diseases which cause the elevation of serum IgE levels include atopic diseases (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria), parasitic diseases, cutaneous diseases, neoplastic diseases, and immune deficiencies IgE levels can also be high when the body is fighting an infection from a parasite and from some immune system conditions.

Will need to maybe follow-up with an allergist or see if it goes down on the next test.  Maybe I should do every few months?  Or see if they can do a food allergy test or a specific serum IgE test.  Dunno if the allergies are causing my high BP.  Or could be causing my coughing.

Also new was my A1C is now 5.8 (<5.7) which now puts me into a 'pre-diabetes' category.  Diet and exercise important here as well.  

Labwork was done mid-Dec, I hadn't been eating well, it's cold so not much veggies/fruit, just eating more carb-y stuff.  Dr said she thinks I should go on statin.  I don't want to go on statins, so asked if we could re-test in 4-6 months, and see if changes to diet and exercise makes a difference.   So we'll see in a few months. 

At-home sleep study scheduled for Feb 16, 2023. 

Annual Exam 12.8.22

 New doctor at the Health Center.  We chatted and she asked how I felt and I said 'good', dunno if that's why but she didn't really give me an exam. Talked about my stroke history, she said to ask Dr. Bagheri at my next appt if they've ruled out PFO, Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a hole between the left and right atria (upper chambers) of the heart.  Most chest xrays don't look for this unless it is suspected. But she also thinks Eisenhower would of checked for this when I had the stroke.  But this could cause a stroke.

Had her order me an allergy test and cancer antigen marker on the labwork.  And an order for a mammogram.  

Had her look to see if I have a deviated septum.  I don't but the right nostril is narrower, there's a bump on the inside, which is odd because she asked if I ever broke my nose because there is a bump on the left side on the outside.  Mentioned if this is causing my snoring and she said most likely.  As she looked surprised that I snore.  Said I should go for a sleep study.  

Looking at the last EKG and chest xray, she said my heart is not enlarged.  So I'm guessing it's not big anymore?  So I wonder why Dr. Woods said it was.  Wonder what led him to believe I could have heart failure...  Asked if I still should go see cardiologist, and she said yes. 

She asked why I went off Carvedilol (high HR) and calcium channel blocker (couldn't remember) but she likes those meds.  She thinks the carvedilol affected me because I was coming off the metoprolol and HR tends to go off as body gets rid of it.  She saids it takes at least a month for it to start working.  

Also got a flu shot.  Felt tired around 230p, took an hour nap.  Left arm little sore. 

BP at doctor's 150/100.  

Looking back on notes, Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.   At one point the dose was doubled (to be taken twice a day instead of once/day), which started causing burning tongue feeling.  Didn't go away even after returning to one dose.  At this time my meds switched to Metoprolol. 

Was on Amlodipine March 2014 to Feb 2017.  I think it was working at first then gradually started not working.  Same happened to Metoprolol.  Was working at first, then not, dose was doubled, side effects kicked in, meds changed.  On Metroprolol from Feb 2017 to early 2022 (I think).  Then switched to Carvedilol, then Bystolic. 

Will go do labwork and mammogram next week.  Call if I can do sleep study at home.

Just read over notes from when I saw Dr. Woods.  One cause of high BP is dehydration.  I haven't been drinking much water since it's been cold.  Maybe about 4-5 cups of warm water.  That could be it.  

Menopause??? & update

 Last period was mid-September, almost three months ago.  It's a bit weird it just kinda stopped, leading up to it it was pretty regular, even coming early some months but never getting farther and farther away.   Looking back, when I had hot flashes, that was probably the beginning of perimenopause about 5-6 years.  Some other symptoms that may been related to this:  restless leg syndrome, tinnitus (ear ringing), joint pain (right hand mainly), increased forgetfulness, heart palpitations, insomnia, burning mouth (tho I think was medication), bloating/gas, bladder incontinence, vaginal itching, anxiety/depression, breast/nipple tenderness first month of missed period, and high blood pressure (mainly now, even with medication.)  

Average age is 52-53.  I', 50 now.  Since it's menopause when I've officially had no period for 12 months, I'll be 51-52 most likely. 

Been having somewhat more of an urge to go pee lately, can kinda feel bladder getting full and then feel like I gotta go.  Memory def getting worse.  More gray hairs coming in.  Hip pain still about the same, if anything a little better.  Knees seem to be better as well.  LIb got me a standing desk.  I think that's been helping. 

Left underarm/left boob dull ache/sensitivity.  Also along left should blade when pressed.  Not sure if it's related to heart? BP has also been somewhat high so seeing the cardiologist (Dr. Bagheri) in Jan.  

In two days I have annual checkup.  Asking for mammogram along with some other questions.  Will update after appointment.