Answer: hCG was discovered in the early 1900s and been researched as a method of weight loss since the 1950s. hCG was made famous by Dr. Simeon and his patients reported 0.4 to 2 lbs of pure fat loss per day on the hCG diet protocol. The only side effects include headaches. This is identical to the reason a pregnant woman gets a headache. Research suggests that if a woman had headaches while pregnant then she will more than likely have headaches on the hCG diet protocol.

In 1974 the FDA released their findings on hCG. Although it was said to be an unsafe form of weight loss, no side effects or damage to the body was noted. Additionally, hCG injections were approved to help with female fertility. Further reading into their research it should be understood that they used “weight loss” as a measurement and not “body fat decrease”.

Every single person will lose weight on a very low calorie diet such as the hCG weight loss diet; however, patients on the hCG protocol will lose a much larger percent of body fat than those on a placebo.

To answer your question directly, no, using hCG for weight loss will not lead to hair loss.

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Answer: In short, no. In fact research shows that it reduces abnormal fat deposits in the breasts of men aka Man Boobs.

Since the 1960′s hCG injections have been used as a method to reduce the amount of abnormal fat in the human body. Dr. Simeon developed the hCG diet protocol. Strictly adhering to this protocol is essential in losing body fat. Patients on the hCG diet often report 0.4 – 2 pounds of body fat lost per day on the HCG diet.

The theory behind the hCG diet is that hCG will increase the fat banking capacity of the hypothalamus which will allow for the metabolization of abnormal fat deposits in periods of very low caloric intake.

Since man boobs are the accumulation of abnormal fat in the breasts of men the hCG diet protocol will metabolize man boobs instead of contributing to them. Additionally, it is incorrect to assume that hCG is a sex hormone. It was given its name which has incorrect sex hormone connotation at the turn of the 20th century when a pair of scientists noticed that injections of hCG will make infantile rats fertile.

If you live in the Dallas area and are wanting to learn more about HCG and the hCG diet visit: HCG Diet Dallas

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Answer:  Healthcare is changing and I get asked this question all the time.  I have even had people try to barter with me for lab tests here in Dallas, TX.  The days of paying your doctor with a baby goat may be coming back.

Here is the answer to your question.  First to ensure that you are getting the best price for your lab tests you need to call around.  Quest Diagostics, LabCorp & Any Lab Test Now are three I will use in this example.  For the best price you will want to call your local store/lab.   If you call the national hotline you will get national pricing which may be higher than local prices. 

Next, get pricing not only for the tests individually, but also ask if those tests come in a panel.  A panel is a group of lab tests that are commonly ordered together.  Many times you get a large discount on lab tests by ordering the panel, even if you get more tests than you need. 

Finally, look for a coupon or discount/promo code online.  Lab testing is a competitive business and these guys really want you to use them.  If you can not find discounts online then you need to ask over the phone.  I know this may sound strange since we are often told what to pay by doctors/labs and pay without question.  Just last week a lady came into my lab and requested a discount for DNA paternity tests on her four children.  She was going through a divorce and the court ordered the tests.  A legal paternity test runs about $449 each so you can see why she was looking for a discount.  Needless to say, we gave her a buy 3 get one free discount and she was very happy.

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Question:

Answer:  To get your answer I called Any Lab Test Now in Plano, TX and they sell the exact same thyroid panel for only $79.  They have locations nationwide so chances are there is one near you.  They do not accept insurance; however, you can pay with a credit card linked to a flexible spending account(FSA/HSA).

Speaking with Melodie at Any Lab Test Now, I discovered it is actually one of their most popular test panels.  The thyroid panel is often used to diagnose, treat and/or monitor thyroid diseases such as hypo-thyroidism and hyper-thyroidism.  The thyroid is a very important organ which regulates your metabolism. 

A underactive thyroid can be linked to a slow metabolism and weight gains.  If you feel this describes you then you can get your thyroid checked for $79 at Any Lab Test Now in Plano, TX.  The doctor’s order can be provided if needed.

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Answer:  Yes.  However, some medical labs such as Any Lab Test Now will provide you a doctor’s order at no charge.  Additionally, they allow you to take a lab test anonymously.  This means that your insurance will never know your results.   Or your spouse if you desire.  With medical records going digital, Any Lab Test Now was first to market with providing lab tests that will not be linked to your name, social security number, insurance account, etc.

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Diabetes Mellitus Type I is also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile diabetes. The pancreas produces little to no insulin and the patient must take injections daily as well as use diet and exercise to control blood glucose levels. Oral medications are not effective in treating Type I Diabetes Mellitus. The onset of Type I diabetes is usually before the age of 30, but may happen at any age. The patient is usually thin but may be of normal weight. Onset is usually a sudden case of high blood glucose. The symptoms of DM Type I are frequent urination, often getting up a number of times during the night to urinate. Other symptoms are excessive thirst, constant hunger and fatigue.

Diabetes Mellitus Type II is also known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes. 90% of people with diabetes fall into this category. The pancreas produces normal to high normal levels of insulin, but the body is not able to use it correctly. These patients are usually managed with diet, exercise and oral medications, a small number may need insulin especially in times of illness or stress. Patients with Type II diabetes are often obese (85%) with high carbohydrate diets, but may be of normal weight. This type of diabetes usually occurs after the age of 30. Symptoms may be mild to none as the body adapts to the slow rise in blood glucose levels.

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When you are have anemia your body doesnt get enough of the oxygen that it needs. As a result you could be tired. Long lasting or severe anemia that goes undetected could lead to damage to the heart, lungs and damage other organs of the body.

The causes of anemia are caused by blood loss, lack of production of the cells and a poor diet that lacks iron, folic acid and vitamin b-12. Also if there is damage to your bone marrow that could lead to anemia as well.Some other risk factors are blood loss from an injury,long term diseases such as caners, diabetes,liver disease. It could also be family inherited.

Anemia isnt restricted to just men or women or a certain race. Anemia has been found in older people mainly because they tend to have other health issues that could lead to anemia as well.

Some of the signs or symptoms are fatigue,shortness of breath, pale skin, chest pain. These signs can occur because your heart is having to work harder to pump more oxygen through your body.

There are several tests that your doctor can perform to diagnose you. They are a CBC, Hemoglobin electrophoresis, this looks at the different types of hemoglobin your body has. A reticulocyte, this measures the number of young red blood cells in your body.

There are so many different types of anemia, thereforeyou may be tested for a number of different things. Treatments could be as simple as changing your diet, to taking medications, as well as having infusions.

Anemia is a very treatable disease.Treating the underlying cause may be the best way of preventing anemia. Some dietary changes may help in this process as well, always talk to your doctor about any change you have.

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Some of the signs or symptoms are easy bruising,bleeding into the skin that appears as it may be a rash, prolonged bleeding from cuts, and blood in urine or stools.

The causes of thrombocytopenia is usually marked by an underlying problem. Such problems are leukemia and some anemias may cause your overall platelet count to be low. Also ITP, could be a factor. This is where your immune system mistakenly attacks the platelets. Blood poisoning is another cause of this condition. As well as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, these are autoimmune disorders that could destroy platelets as well.

You should see a doctor when you have abnormal bleeding or bruising. Also if you develop a rash of pin point sized spots on your body.

The tests for this disease are a blood test or a more extensive test called a bone marrow. They go in and pull a piece of bone and send it off to see where the platelets are going and to see if you are making enough of them.

Treatment of this disease vary, and here are a few of the solutions. They include the useof medications, but in the rare case that those dont work. then they remove the spleen.This is done of the meds dont respond or it gets worse. There is also the procedure of plasma transfusions. This is only done in the most severest of cases that have lost a great deal of blood.

In cases that your platelets are too low, they will ask that you stop taking any aspirins that you are taking. They will ask that you stay away from contact sports, this is done to reduce the risk of injury and or bleeding.

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When a loved one is diagnosed with this disease, it is devastating to hear those words and know that someone close to you is the biggest fight of their lives. I recently worked for an oncologist, this is a physician whose specialty is cancer. While working there you become attached to pts, like they are family. This is about my struggle with one special pts fight with this deadly battle.

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In the summer of 2007, my best friend was killed in a horrible accident. I did my best go through the motions at work, but Ms. Maudie saw through the mask of deception and she knew something was wrong. When I explained to her what happened, she forgot about the pain that she was in and her maternal instincts took over. She helped me find answers, and not to question why God took him and focused on the things he did with his life. She gave me sense of direction after that tragedy. She became like a second mother to me, she always was checking in on me after that to see how things were going. She never complained about anything, she took all of the downfalls with the cancer in stride.

Even when she went into the hospital on several different occassions because she was having problems breathing, she was always asking her daughter who worked with me how I was doing. I have never seen someone be so strong when facing a battle like this. Most of the pts at one point or another give up. She never did, it hurt me like hell to go and see her in that hospital bed. I can remember times when we had to wheel in her into the office on a wheel chair because she didnt have the strength to walk.

The treatments began to take a bigger toll on her than what I was prepared for. There were days when she was so sick that she wouldnt get out of bed. We would have to carry her to the restroom, and have her daughter take over from there.We would have to go and eat with her at times to make sure that she did eat.

Now a couple of months ago we finally got her to agree to the surgery which could possibly have saved her life. It took some fighting because she was so determined to beat this disease on her own. We tried in vain for months to get her to see that she needed the surgery. Now after finally agreeing to it, I get the news today that she was given 4-6 months to live.This is a huge blow to me and the daughter because for the last 3 yrs she was always just a phone call away. Now I have to deal with the possibility that she could be gone in just a few months.

This story is designed to get those of you out there who are going through the same thing, to not wait until the last minute to try all of the medically possible scenarios. Had we gotten her to do the surgery when the doctor recommended it, who knows what we would be dealing with now. There is no guarantee that surgery would have cured her, but by it could have prolonged her life longer than what is being expected now. Like I said I pray that this helps any of you who are going through this to use every venue possible. Remember its not just your fight but that of those closest to you as well.

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Cancer

This is one of the scariest words a doctor can ever say to you or a loved one. When you first get the news, always get a second opinion. When and if its confirmed, always begin getting yourself aclimated with all of the knowledge that you can about your kind of cancer. There are just so many different ones that they all dont react the and they dont get treated the same.

Here are some of the most common cancers. They are breast,lung,colon,prostate, rectum, skin, ovarian, and pancreatic. Now the detection for these can be as follows. Always get regular check ups, its best to catch cancer early if possible. Men, check your testicles for lumps, pain, swelling or tenderness that is new or unusual. Women, check you breasts for lumps, swelling or tenderness as well. Women should also begin Pap Smears when they turn 18 or become sexually active. Have yearly mammograms, as well as checking yourself in between check ups. Men, are recommended that after 40 you should get prostate exams regularily. With skin cancer just keep an eye on warts or moles that change color or become sensitive to the touch. As always have them check out with your physician if yo notice a change. Possible signs of cancer could be as follows.Changes in your bowel or bladder movements, a sore that doesnt heal, unusual bleeding, lump in the breast, and or a difficulty swallowing or a persistent couch that wont go away. These are signs that you need to go and see your doctor. Now for treatments options. They are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and biological therapy. Now some people are participating in studies and this is helping benefit the cancer research.Now before starting any treatment its best to get a second opinion.

When you are getting ready for your initail treatment, always do your homework so you can go in with questions to ask the doctor. This also helps you be better prepared so you are not caught in a state of shock when they explain to you how things are going to proceed from that point. When receiving treatment keep in mind that the treatment doesnt treat everyone the same. Depending on how long and how much of the treatment will also determine how you react to it.Just know that during treatment there is a team that monitors your treatment. That way if there is a problem it can be handled right away. Some of the side effects are that you are tired for longer than normal periods. You have no appetite, you dont want to get out of bed. You just feel run down all the time, which is normal because the treatment is desgined to kill off the cancer cells. So in turn you are getting better but also being sick for a while.You can also lose your hair, be nauseated and could possibly have mouth sores. If you experience any if this during treatment ask your doctor how you are able to combat some of it.One of the most important things during treatment is the ability to eat, by eating you can get your energy back and start to improve the way you feel as well. Never be afraid to ask for help. You are not the only one going through this, even though at time it feels like. Remember there are groups out there that can help you as far as suppport and financial aid, as well as other needs.  The biggest thing to remember here is that always check yourself or get check ups regularly and that diagnosis isnt the end of the world. We have come a long way in research, also early detection is always great as well. Never give up on yourself and we wont stop working for a cure.

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