Are there any tests that can determine what levels of heavy metals are in a person's body, particularly mercury? If testing showed high levels, what can be done to reduce them?

I am an 18-year-old woman. Much of my family has Muscular Dystrophy. Is there a way to check if it is in my genes, to know if I could pass it to my children?

Why would someone have a bilateral carotid Doppler test?

What is a collapsed colon, and what causes it?

I have an underactive thyroid gland. For years, I took the same dose of Synthroid. Recently my doctor increased my dose. But my repeat TSH blood test is still high. What's going on?

What is the difference between lymphocyte percentage and lymphocyte count? My CBC shows normal lymphocyte percentage but low lymphocyte count. My white blood cell count is normal as well.

My husband blacked out at home. Nobody was there and he doesn't recall what happened. The doctor he saw asked us a lot of questions that we couldn't answer. Did he have a seizure?

I have some type of cyst just above my heel, pressing on my Achilles’ tendon. It causes no pain now. But could it cause a problem later on? Should I have it removed?

My doctor told me that I have high level of pancreas enzymes. What does this mean? What complications can it cause?

What does a high level of carbon dioxide in a blood test mean?

My daughter has been recovering from a manic episode in the hospital. I’m relieved that she is responding to her medicines because her doctors said she might have needed ECT.

I have been diagnosed with recurrent corneal erosion.

Over the past few months I have noticed that my toes feel "tight," almost "crunched" together. They look fine, but I fear this may be the beginning of hammertoes. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

My doctor says my triglyceride level is high. What is the normal value? What type of diet can lower triglyceride levels?

Are sweats, flushing or a fever associated with passing a kidney stone?

After a routine X-ray, my elderly father's doctor told him he has a calcified granuloma in his lung. He said not to worry. But she ordered another X-ray in three months. I don't want to scare my Dad, but I am worried. What is a calcified granuloma? If it

I recently had an ultrasound. The reading suggested that the lining of my uterus was slightly thick. What does this mean? Does age matter? I am 59 years old.

I had a persistent headache after a spinal tap. The fluid taken out during the tap was normal. My doctor has suggested a blood patch. What is this?

I recently had an abdominal ultrasound and it showed I had a 'sponge kidney.' What does this mean?

My wife has to have an angiogram and is nervous about it. Can you tell us what will happen in this procedure?

I am interested in a plant-based diet. Do you have any information on this?

My wife has shortness of breath and sweats when she walks fast or gets anxious. Because she doesn’t get chest pain, she doesn’t think it’s her heart.

When I visit my doctor, my readings are always high at first. The doctor has me relax for about 10 minutes and the repeat is at the top of normal (140/90 or close to it). Do I have hypertension that needs to be treated?

I have Hepatitis C. My viral load did not respond to treatment with ribavirin and interferon. What else can I do?

My husband had an MRI to rule out any abnormal causes for benign positional vertigo. They discovered and a mass on his parotid gland, though it is most likely benign.

Can chest X-rays dislodge or damage cardiac stents in any way?

I had a bubble of fluid on the back side of my eyeball. After 6 weeks, it’s re-absorbed. But now I need a test called fluorescein angiogram, where they inject yellow dye into my eye to look for CSR. What is CSR — and what are the risks?

I am tired a lot, and have been tested for all the usual suspects. I eat fairly well, and get enough rest each night. My doctor told me I was “a little low” on B-12. Could this be the real cause of my fatigue?

What home blood test is used to monitor warfarin dose? Is it a simple capillary blood clot test? Or a more complicated prothrombin time procedure which calls for equipment and expertise?

I had a CT scan for abdominal pain. I was told I have a fairly large cyst on my right kidney. The CT scan was otherwise normal. The doctor wasn’t sure what caused the pain. The pain is gone. Does a kidney cyst cause pain that comes and goes?

I had severe pain last night and went to the ER. I had an ultrasound test. It showed my gallbladder was slightly distended (no stones) and the common bile duct was enlarged. My white blood cell count was 11,000. But my other blood tests were normal...

I take Metformin 500 mg in the morning and at night for diabetes. After I got a cortisone shot in my shoulder today, my sugar went up a lot. How long should I expect this to last?

Can recent vaccinations cause a false positive elevation in an antibody test for rheumatoid arthritis? I recently had a hepatitis and HPV vaccine and two weeks later, my test came back with an elevated level of 36.

Can coronary bypass surgery cause erectile dysfunction?

How often should I get a pneumonia vaccination?

I have very dry eyes in the morning. I had cataract surgery about 2 years ago. Could there be a connection? What do you suggest?

What is an ANA blood test?

Is there any benefit in lowering fever by means of bathing, cold packs, etc. Is it even necessary?

My husband was told he may have both Lyme disease and babesiosis? Can this really happen? What is the best treatment?

I have atrial fibrillation. From the results of a transthoracic echocardiogram, my doctor told me my right atrium is moderately dilated; my left severely dilated. What does this mean?

A recent blood test showed I had low testosterone – the number was 242 ng/dl. Should I be concerned?

I have a high iron blood level. Should I be on a special diet?

I was diagnosed with borderline diabetes. Does this mean that I will eventually have type 2 diabetes?

I haven't exercised in months because of a foot injury. I'll be having surgery soon. But I'm gaining weight. Anything I can do in the meantime?

My CBC shows an abnormal MCH reading of 31.3. What is MCH, and what does this mean for my health?

My lymphocyte count is 52 percent. My white blood cell count is 5,400. Do I need to worry?

I recently discovered that I have atrial fibrillation. Other than the atrial fibrillation, my EKG, echocardiogram and blood tests are normal. Should I be concerned?

I am scheduled for a cystoscopy. What should I expect? Can I go right back to work after having this test?

My blood tests indicate show that I have a low sodium level. It was 127 mEq/L on the most recent test and 130 mEq/L the year before. What can cause this?

My 9-month-old son was accidentally vaccinated twice for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis b, polio and pneumococcal conjugate. Should I be concerned?

What exactly are calcifications of the thyroid gland?

What are the potential long term effects of radiation therapy for someone treated for Hodgkin's disease?

I weigh 190 pounds. I have a high resting heart rate that goes up to 180 beats per minute -- my maximum limit -- with moderate exercise.

When I donated blood recently, I had to state whether I had had an endoscopic exam in the last 6 months. Is a colonoscopy an endoscopic exam? If so, how should I take that into consideration when scheduling future blood donations?

My mother-in-law had a low alanine transaminase (ALT) score on her last blood test. What is ALT and is it significant?

I have supraventricular tachycardia and have had to go to the emergency room three times as my heart rate raced to 220 beats per minute. My doctor recommends an ablation procedure. What does that do? Are there any other options I could explore?

I give blood, but I keep getting a false positive for syphilis. After additional testing it comes back negative every time. What could cause this to happen?

I have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, but my doctor wants to be certain and has recommended a lung biopsy. How dangerous is this test? Also, what is the least invasive test?

I am 77. My brother died of prostate cancer. My doctor says I don’t need PSA testing at my age. But because my brother died of the disease, my doctor will order the blood test if I want it. I’m not sure what to do. What is your advice?

A test showed that I have a low white blood cell count of 3800. I have not had any issues with my health besides a head cold. What are the most likely causes of a low white blood cell count?

I am concerned that my child has a learning disability. How would you suggest that I proceed to determine if he does?

My 15-year-old daughter is very athletic but has a size 38 DD bust and is only 5 feet tall. We are considering breast reduction surgery while she is in high school (because she is so athletic).