What Does My Lab Test Reports Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 Answered on

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello , I have a kind of pulsating discomfort/little pain(not strong & not continuous)that hits the area on the right side under the appendix area by a few inches(that has been there for last 2-3 days) . I have just been to the clinic where they took blood tests + did Urine test & Doctor said both are very good(eliminating infection possibilities +stone buid-up possibilities )leaving him to conclude its Colone related . Note that in the past few years, I have had discomfort on a couple of occasions that was related to colon & that was treated by anti Spasms pills but these pain were on different areas completely .what's also different this time is that the pulsating discomfort slightly effecting the left testicle area very infrequently though but I felt a number of times (maybe 4 or 5 in total) over the past 2 days . Can this be related to stress & how is that treated and how do I know that its nothing more serious ?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks very much for your premium question.

I have read your question and lab reports very carefully. Let me give you my thoughts on this matter.

Your blood and urine tests are excellent and totally normal. This is very good news, as it effectively rules out the possibility of infection or inflammation.

This leaves us with so-called functional causes of your discomfort. This means there are no overt organic causes, but that does not mean your symptoms are not real. A prominent example of a disorder of this kind is irritable bowel syndrome, which you may have.

IBS can cause discomfort, and is thought to be related to the serotonergic connection between the gut and the brain. Symptoms include pain, discomfort, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Stress is a prominent cause of IBS flare-ups. To treat there, there are many effective medications. I would recommend you try an SSRI antidepressant such as sertraline or escitalopram. These drugs can help treat your stress and lead to an improvement in your GI symptoms through their interactions on the serotonin system in the gut.

Please remember to rate and close this answer if you find it satisfactory.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (55 minutes later)

Thank you Dr., I have the following further questions based on your remarks
many thanks for your input in advance

1) What is IBS and how do I know this is what I have ? what symptoms should I be experiencing to confirm this is what I have
2)what about the current & suggested medication I mentioned ; the anti-spasm ones -do I proceed with those & especially they seem to do the job
3) Is the issue of stones in the kidney at all a possibility & should I worry about that -some 5 months ago, I felt some thing similar on the other side; again tests were excellent and I was advised to drink more water
4) is at all normal that this pulsating infrequent sensation/discomfort is also felt on my right testical (infrequent & no real pain but rather discomfort)
5) I have been told before that stress may be effecting the colon; how is colon stress reduced and managed ?
6) antidepressant pills ; id like to avoid these - I may be sometimes stressed but an extremely joyous & outgoing character who exercises regularly

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome!

1. IBS stands for irritable bowel syndrome. It is a term that includes functional gastrointestinal pain in the absence of abnormal labwork. Because this fits your description, it is possible you have this.

2. Take any medication that works! Antispasmodics are excellent medications and yes, you should continue if they work for you.

3. There is no evidence of a kidney stone, as this usually shows blood in the urine tests.

4. This testicular discomfort is highly unlikely to be anything serious. If you are very concerned, you can have a testicular ultrasound.

5 & 6. Stress effects the colon through catecholamines, and can create discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation, leading to IBS. Antidepressants for you would not be used for depression -- you are not depressed -- but rather to regulate serotonin in the colon. That's why I suggest it.

Please remember to rate and close this answer if you find it satisfactory.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me at my private link below. After you ask a direct question it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj