In America, it is estimated that around 20 million people have some type of thyroid disorder. Recently, you may have had weird symptoms that showed up with no obvious cause.…

Fatigue is defined as extreme tiredness, and it can be caused by any number of mental health or medical conditions. Some of the most common causes for fatigue are easily diagnosed through simple lab tests. If you are experiencing frequent fatigue, you should consider other symptoms to try to narrow down the cause.

Anemia

There are several different forms of anemia, but the most common is low iron levels in the blood. If you are anemic, you may also experience dizziness, weakness, and a pale complexion in addition to fatigue. This can be determined by a simple blood test. If confirmed, it can usually be treated with iron supplements.

Type 2 Diabetes

Having high blood sugar can often make you feel fatigued. Shakiness when you do not eat, feeling extremely tired just after eating, or sweet-smelling urine are some additional symptoms of type two diabetes. This can also be determined through a simple panel of blood tests that will determine your blood sugar levels at time of test and for the previous three months. If confirmed, you will need to see a doctor for treatment. (more…)

Testosterone is widely known for its role as the male sex hormone. It plays many essential roles in the male body, especially sexual health and reproductive development. Testosterone is actually such a crucial hormone that the National Institutes of Health considers it the most necessary hormone in the male body.

Though a man’s testosterone levels peak during puberty and early adulthood, levels fall again with age. When testosterone levels fall too low, important body functions become less efficient, including the functions that control libido, bone mass, muscle mass, red blood cell production, fat distribution, and sperm production.

If you are experiencing symptoms that make you question your vitality and wellness, low testosterone could be to blame. Fortunately, a simple test can help you evaluate your testosterone levels and identify the best ways to boost your testosterone production. Before you undergo your testosterone testing, it’s important to understand the differences between free testosterone and total testosterone in the body.

What Is the Difference Between Free and Total Testosterone?

Not all testosterone functions the same within the body. Free testosterone travels through the blood unattached to any proteins. Only 2% of all testosterone is considered free testosterone. This small portion can move immediately into cells that need more testosterone to maintain proper body functions.

Total testosterone is the sum of the body’s free, bioavailable, and unavailable testosterone. Bioavailable testosterone includes all testosterone loosely bound to albumin and the carrier protein known as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). About 54% of all testosterone in the body binds to these proteins. (more…)

Hepatitis is a serious health condition that affects the liver. This STD occurs in three different forms, which can make it confusing to understand. Here’s what you should know about Hepatitis A, B, and C to protect your health and get the treatment you need.

What Is Hepatitis?

In general, hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. Some cases of hepatitis are short lived, but others develop chronically over months or years. Viruses, alcoholism, and certain medications are all linked to the development of hepatitis.

Symptoms and Treatment for Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that spreads through the fecal-oral route. Infected people shed a large quantity of the virus in their stool, which makes it all too easy to spread to others through shaking hands, turning door knobs, answering the phone, and touching other common surfaces.

The most common symptoms of Hepatitis A include nausea, poor appetite, abdominal pain, fatigue, and dark urine. A blood test is needed to identify hepatitis A, but no specific treatment exists. Instead, the body needs time to recover from the virus on its own. In most cases, the liver can recover in six months with no lasting damage. (more…)

If you’ve suffered through a urinary tract infection in the past, you know exactly how painful and uncomfortable the condition can become. Women are far more prone to UTIs than men, and some women even more than others. If you count yourself among the millions of women who are plagued by UTIs, the following information will help you seek a solution.

What Are UTIs?

Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria gets trapped in the urinary tract. Since the urinary tract comprises of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra, there is plenty of space for bacteria to hide. The bladder and the urethra are the most common places for bacteria to live, and this creates infection as the bacteria irritates the body. (more…)

Top Tips for Protecting Your Immune System This Winter Thanksgiving has passed and the holidays are just around the corner–what an exciting time of year! From the family, friends, and…