Table of Contents
Internal Medicine Board Review
- A 29-year-old man with abnormal thyroid function tests
The patient has elevated serum T4 and T3, but no symptoms of hyperthyroidism. What is the diagnosis?
Medical Grand Rounds
- The herbal medicine boom: Understanding what patients are taking
One in three people take herbal medicines. A guide to common herbal preparations, their effects, side effects, and interactions.
Clinical Decision-Making
- The diagnostic utility of c-ANCA in Wegener’s granulomatosis
A positive c-ANCA may suggest Wegener’s granulomatosis, but in most cases it should not be used instead of biopsy to make the diagnosis.
Review
- Commonly asked questions about premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Most women experience PMS to some degree, and to most it is a nuisance at worst. However, some women have a severe variety of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder that can disrupt their lives.
- Evaluating asymptomatic patients with mildly elevated liver enzymes
Extensive evaluation of all abnormal tests would expose many patients to undue risks and medical costs. But not evaluating minor elevations of liver enzymes could result in missing the early diagnosis of potentially treatable disorders.
Current Drug Therapy
- What internists should know about amiodarone
Despite side effects involving the lungs, heart, thyroid, and other organs, amiodarone is effective in the treatment of refractory atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and it has unique safety in coronary disease and left ventricular dysfunction.
