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Luo Han Ying
Endocrinology
About me
A senior endocrinologist at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital.
Proficient in diseases
Specializing in: diabetes, thyroid diseases, hyperuricemia, gout, hypertension, coronary heart disease, primary aldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome.
Voices
What is the standard for hyperlipidemia?
A lipid panel typically includes five tests: triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). If triglycerides are greater than 1.69 mmol/L, total cholesterol is greater than 5.2 mmol/L, HDL is lower than 0.78 mmol/L, LDL is higher than 0.78 mmol/L, and VLDL is higher than 3.64 mmol/L, these conditions can collectively be diagnosed as hyperlipidemia. Each component of the lipid panel can vary, and different elevations require different medications. For example, the drugs used to lower triglycerides are completely different from those used to lower cholesterol.
What tests are needed for obesity?
Patients with obesity are more prone to metabolic issues, such as high blood sugar, high blood lipids, high uric acid, and obesity itself, which can lead to abnormal liver function. Therefore, thorough blood tests are necessary. First, check liver functions, especially transaminases, and kidney functions, particularly for uric acid, as well as routine tests for blood sugar and lipids. For patients with obesity, we also recommend checking cortisol levels to exclude obesity caused by increased cortisol. Enhance the examination of thyroid function to determine if hypothyroidism is causing obesity. These are the blood tests required; additionally, we suggest that patients undergo further examinations such as electrocardiograms and abdominal ultrasounds.
What can be eaten with gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes, which can be diagnosed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy by drinking a sugary solution. If diagnosed with gestational diabetes, pregnant women must strictly control their diet. The amount of staple food, like rice, should not exceed 100 grams per meal. They can eat lean meats and eggs, and the vegetables should mainly be green leafy types. Fruit intake must be strictly controlled; high-sugar fruits like grapes, raisins, red dates, and bananas are prohibited. They can eat a small amount, such as half an apple, or some kumquats and grapefruit, which are allowed.
What are the early symptoms of diabetic foot?
Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes, relatively late-stage and severe. One of the most dreadful consequences it can cause is amputation, leading to lifelong disability. Many patients worry about developing diabetic foot and should pay attention to the early stages of diabetic foot, which actually manifest as changes in the blood vessels and nerves. For example, vascular changes can make certain areas of the skin appear whiter and cooler, and the pulsation of the dorsal artery of the foot may weaken. Nerve changes are characterized by numbness, tingling, or alternating sensations of heat and cold in the foot, as well as other abnormal sensations. These are all signs of complications and early manifestations.
Treatment of diabetic foot numbness
If diabetic foot feels numb, it is a manifestation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic foot is a complication that occurs after diabetes has advanced to a certain degree, so it is normal for a person with diabetic foot to feel numbness. Some patients with severe diabetic neuropathy may not even feel pain during debridement, which involves cleaning the local tissues. A healthy person would definitely feel pain, but a diabetic patient, due to their neuropathy, may not feel much, if any, pain. For such patients, the main treatments are firstly, definitely controlling blood sugar and blood pressure; secondly, using medications that nourish the nerves; and thirdly, improving circulation to aid local blood flow.
How to eat after giving birth for gestational diabetes
Patients with gestational diabetes need to be careful with their diet even after giving birth, during the period known in Chinese tradition as "sitting the month." During this time, it is customary for Chinese women to consume large amounts of animal protein, including soups that are believed to help with milk production. However, patients with gestational diabetes should still control their intake, opting for low-fat and low-salt options. Traditional dishes like pig's trotters stewed with soybeans, which are high in fat, are not recommended for patients, as their effectiveness in promoting milk production is minimal. After childbirth, patients can instead focus on consuming high-quality proteins such as lean meats and milk, which are encouraged.
Why does hyperkalemia cause muscle weakness?
The muscles that govern movement in our body are striated muscles, and each muscle cell in striated muscles has many receptors, which we can think of as a signal receiving and transmitting station. When we need to move, the brain nerves will send a signal to this station, which then controls muscle movement. A very important ion in muscle movement is the calcium ion. There is a receptor for calcium ions on our muscle cells, and it is related to the concentration of blood potassium. When the concentration of blood potassium is too low, a condition known as hypokalemia, or too high, known as hyperkalemia, the calcium ion receptor will be inhibited. At this point, our muscles will exhibit symptoms of muscle weakness.
Are there many people with gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is increasingly common now as living standards improve, and there is more attention on pregnant women from their families. Often, out of fear of malnutrition during pregnancy, there is a tendency to over-nourish and overeat, leading to significant weight gain around the 24th to 26th weeks of pregnancy. Upon examination, it is discovered that their blood sugar levels are elevated, indicating gestational diabetes. Although gestational diabetes is becoming more widespread, the blood sugar levels are usually not extremely high. Therefore, such patients can often manage their condition through diet control and encouraging appropriate exercise for pregnant women. Thus, pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes should not be overly stressed psychologically.
How much calcium should be supplemented daily for osteoporosis?
Every day, the calcium requirement for the human body is 800mg for adults. For patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, the daily calcium supplementation required is between 1000mg and 1200mg. There are many calcium formulations on the market, such as calcium carbonate, liquid calcium, and calcium citrate. Each manufacturer produces different types of calcium, and the content of trace elements of calcium varies, so it cannot be generalized. Therefore, patients with osteoporosis who buy different types of calcium should follow the instructions of different medications when taking them. In addition to calcium supplementation, patients with osteoporosis must also remember to supplement with vitamin D daily.
When can gestational diabetes be cured?
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is somewhat unique. People in this category usually have normal blood glucose levels before pregnancy. However, between the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy, an oral glucose tolerance test is conducted, and if high blood glucose levels are detected, a diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made. For such patients, it is generally recommended to conduct another oral glucose tolerance test 6-8 weeks postpartum. If the results are normal at this time, it indicates that the patient does not have diabetes. However, a very small proportion of individuals may still exhibit high blood glucose levels after the 6-8 week postpartum re-examination. In such cases, continued treatment for diabetes might be necessary.