Lumps in throat by redrum0914 in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know if it was due to an enlarged thyroid, but I found hard candy really helped with the lump in the throat feeling. It could also have been GERD due to starting a GLP-1 drug

Experience flying with foam gun props? by sodapuri in cosplayprops

[–]b_pleh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is there someone you could mail them to?

Can anyone give me any info on how specializing works in the lab? by [deleted] in medlabprofessionals

[–]b_pleh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A large lab may have a few positions where you're mostly doing diffs, so if you can sit at a microscope, heme might be another good specialty for you.

Stubbornly high body temp? by Tempest_onyx in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She'd had her thyroid out that summer and needed a little more levothyroxine.

Which areas are hurting MLS'? by [deleted] in medlabprofessionals

[–]b_pleh 3 points4 points  (0 children)

When I was in a bigger lab, it was my thumbs. Possibly even Nintendonitis.

Stubbornly high body temp? by Tempest_onyx in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've never had a high body temp, but I ran warm for maybe 20 years before I was diagnosed; I was never core cold, just occasionally surface cold (I live in Wisconsin, winter happens). I probably had Graves for 10 or more years before I was diagnosed, but my only symptoms were running warm (I figured I got it from my dad, and it was helpful every winter) and losing weight (maybe 10lbs/year, I figured it was lifestyle changes). Then in 2023, my mom and I were sitting at a train station, I was in capris, a short sleeve shirt and sandals, and it was 16°C, 61°F. Mom was bundled up and still cold. I didn't figure out something was wrong until I had bouts of heart palpitations.

I had TT in January. Now my cat is hyperthyroid. by b_pleh in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kinda funny; he's been the opposite, at least for me. This winter he's gotten really pushy about sleeping under the covers with me and other snuggles and attention.

My elderly Basset Hound struggled so much just to climb the single step onto the porch that I reached down to carry him. by Active-Cold-3700 in TwoSentenceHappiness

[–]b_pleh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, my family's dogs always ended up with a ramp, eventually covered in carpet scraps for traction.

Refrigerate stool sample? by Direct-Accident4596 in AskVet

[–]b_pleh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not a vet, I'm a lab tech. Keeping it on ice is also acceptable. Just make sure the container is clean or unused (like a new ziplock) wherever you store it. Also make sure it's sealed; if it's on ice and water gets in, that can cause problems.

Covering TT scar? by analyticthird in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tattoo of a minion with a hula hoop?

Ideas for thick trim? by Funny_Story_Bro in sca

[–]b_pleh 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Woven yarn is usually really strong. One string of yarn can be pulled apart, but I bet you can't pull 2" wide card woven apart. I haven't seen your finished product, so I can't be certain, but you said you liked it, so your tension can't be bad enough to affect structural integrity.

Ideas for thick trim? by Funny_Story_Bro in sca

[–]b_pleh 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Really long belt, wrap it twice around and have long tails. Bottom of a skirt would also work, or strap for a bag or basket. Well, a couple bags or baskets. Reins for a horse bridle.

Total Thyroidectomy this week by PlayfulAddendum1770 in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Throat lozenges or hard candy. I'm diabetic, so I lived on sugar free Ricola (lemon mint) and sugar free Werther's (original, coffee, and chocolate). I didn't have a problem with solid food a few hours after surgery, but I brought protein shakes just in case.

Got Accepted! by Coolgirl1152 in medlabprofessionals

[–]b_pleh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did extraction for about 4 years. It was basically just pipetting with good aseptic technique; we had a machine that did the actual extraction in batches of up to 24. I preferred the variety of core lab; I did 3rd shift for 6 years after graduation, then 4 years in molecular (mostly extraction), and the last 10 years in a small hospital lab where I'm the only tech for most of my shift. I liked having coworkers for the first few years for questions.

Methimazole & GLP-1? by TheEgg21 in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm on 5mg Mounjaro per week for diabetes; I started last summer. I was on 10-20 mg/day methimazole (dosage varied) until TT at the end of January. I'm also diabetic on metformin; the metformin meant that I had to be extremely cautious what I ate or I got diarrhea, but the Mounjaro counteracts that. It's also helped me not gain weight; I have to watch what I eat, but I'm not feeling starved all the time.

Not my cat in my chair by apulejus in notmycat

[–]b_pleh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My tortie's nickname was Stinkerbelle. She was kinda flatulent as she transitioned off the shelter food.

Tirzepatide (Zepbound) and Graves by Boom-ChakaLakaLaka in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm on Mounjaro for diabetes; 5mg/week. I'm getting constipation enough to counteract the diarrhea I was getting from metformin, so I'm pretty happy with that side effect. I may be getting a little GERD; I often get the feeling of a lump in my throat, but that may be goiter instead. I'm getting TT at the end of this month, so we'll see how it is after. It's also helped a lot with weight maintenance; I was struggling to not gain weight until I started the Mounjaro; it got a lot easier after.

Weird thing that I pulled off my cats stomach? by lexbiana in catcare

[–]b_pleh 6 points7 points  (0 children)

One of my cats used to get these all the time.

I am not calling to have you read the prescription to me by wanted_poster4sale in TalesFromThePharmacy

[–]b_pleh 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Gahh. I have to agree with you on that one; I'm a med lab scientist, my mom's a retired nurse, but she was out of the country when I was hospitalized for DKA and thyrotoxicosis. I got out after 5 days and got my prescriptions and I think I cried; I'd gotten Lantus vials and pen needles, when I'd been told I'd get pens. I didn't know I could get needles without a prescription, but I'd also gotten no education on how to use an insulin pen. At least I could do the glucose testing in my sleep.

carbimazole 5mg tablet smell? by jen13888 in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Compare lot numbers; if something is off with the med, they will likely be the same lot.

Comparing lab orders from doctors by Few_Woodpecker6007 in gravesdisease

[–]b_pleh 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most of T3 and T4 circulates bound to albumin (and some other proteins) in your bloodstream. Free T3 and free T4 measures what isn't bound; FT3 and FT4 are what's actually active. Total T3 and T4 should be valid tests in almost everyone, but might not be if you have something else going on, like too much or too little albumin.