Internal Medicine FAQs

If your complaint is diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid, a general workup or persistent fatigue, start here. If it is the stomach, bowel, liver or gallbladder, start at the gut and liver clinic.

Yes, bring all of it, including the old results. The trend across months says more than a single reading and sometimes changes the decision. Phone photographs are fine if the printouts are lost.

For an abdominal ultrasound, yes: fast for six to eight hours beforehand; water is fine. It also helps to avoid fizzy drinks and bloating foods the day before so the images are clear.

By the results and the symptoms together, not the result alone. The dose is set against the case, and the date for repeating the labs is fixed at the visit itself. If you are also under the nutrition department, the medication plan is coordinated with the nutrition plan so both work in the same direction.

Possibly, although sleep, stress, a routine change or a new medicine may also explain it. If the change is marked or comes with increased thirst and urination, palpitations, tremor, weight change or other symptoms, arrange an assessment; tests follow the history and examination.

Do not stop it abruptly. Record the timing and changes in appetite and weight, then review them with the prescriber, who may adjust dose, timing or choose an alternative when appropriate. Nutrition support can help, but mental health treatment safety remains part of the decision.

First establish whether the change is body fat, fluid, medicine-related or due to a health problem. Record the time course, swelling, breathlessness or urine change and bring a medicine list. Rapid gain with swelling, breathlessness, chest pain or reduced urine needs urgent assessment, not a self-directed diet or diuretic.