Sheryl

Absolutely no indication for dosage increase at those levels. FT4 already towards upper end of normal and TSH is at low end of nromal. If anything might be able to decrease slightly.

Finasteride does NOT treat prostatitis. It treats benign enlargement of the prostate (BPH) which is an altogether different condition.

Both ultrasound and MRI can be useful. Sometimes nothing more needed than physical examination and Xray. What you need to do is see an ortho specializing in knees and see what tests he considers necessary. As for cost of MRI, depends on where done. Stand alone imaging centers cost less than hospitals. Where are you located?

1. Siriraj now has a surcharge for foreigners using the public channel. So do other large government hospitals in Bangkok. 2. If not speaking Thai, very difficult to use a Thai public hospital unless you have a Thai speaker who can go with you. And it always takes a much longer time than being seen in a private hospital - sometimes by a factor of days or weeks. 3. Plenty of pulmonologists that treat adults at Siriraj private wing (scroll down to "chest center") but it is not at all clear from what you say, that you really need a pulmonologist. an internist or possibly even an allergist might be better. Also, very unlikely to be able to get an appointment soon, waits of a few weeks are the norm. https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/find-doctor?doctor_id=0&medical_id=101&day=&startTime=&endTime= 4. As you want to get things taken care of quickly, public hospital is not IMO the way to go as there are long waits for appointments, takes many trips top do what could be done in one day at a private hospital (for example if you need pulmonary function test or other test, rarely possible to get done on same day ordered and wait could be weeks.) What I would suggest you do is go to a non-profit private hospital that is mid-range in price, such as St Louis, Camellian or Bangkok Christian. Or, since you seem really set on the Bangkok Noi area, then Thonburi Hospital, where many Siriraj faculty practice. Cost difference between Siriraj private wing and Thonburi Hospital is minute. Specific doctor suggestions: https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=681 https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/doctor-biography?id=71 also at Thonburi Hospital on Wednesdays (the first doctor listed here: https://www.thonburihospital.com/doctorprofile/?doctor_name=&department=&specialist=357

Closed per OP request

Recommended for all over 65.

If you have prostatitis, your prostate is by definition already inflammed. Diet will not help this. Treatment is prolonged course of antibiotics. (somewhat shorter is an identified STD is the cause)

There is no such thing as "too much protein in the kidneys". In kidney failure, the body has difficulty excreting waste products of protein metabolism. Nothing to do with protein being accumulated in the kidneys.

SGOT (more commonly called AST these days) of 15 is perfectly normal. SGPT (more commonly called ALT) is at the very upper limit of normal. (Depending on the lab, some might use a reference range that makes this an elevated finding) The AST:ALT ratio could be suggestive of non-alcoholic fatty liver. While that may sound scary it is actually extremely common and often due to being overweight. You certainly do not have severe liver disease with these values. Another thing that can elevate ALT is certain medications.

Off topic posts have been removed.

Topical for where on the body? Archifen Ear drops are for pain in outer ear (lidocaine combined with an antibiotic) Cathejell With Lidocaine is a lubricant combined with lidocaine, used for catheter insertions etc Kamistad Gel N is for application to mucous membranes (cold sores etc) Racser cream is for application to intact skin Racser viscous is for pain in mouth or throat Oxacain is a topical lidocaine spray

Lidocaine is not an opiate. Injectable lidocaine cannot be bought OTC. There are various topical preparations containing lidocaine that can be. OP needs to specify what form/for what purpose he needs it.

Whatever you do, do not take unknown medications from the "black market"!!! Potentially dangerous. Presumably the injection and tablets given by the doctor were anti-inflammatories. Since they did not help and the pain remains severe after 3 weeks it is time to see a proper spine specialist and have an Xray (at your age vertebral feacture is a possibility) and depending on what that shows, maybe an MRI to see what is going on. I know it is a long drive but I recommend you go to Khon Kaen and consult Prof. Sueachai Sae-Jung at Srinagarind (KKU hosputal) through their "Special Medical Center". There are reasonably priced hotels right near it.

Are you trying to be seen through the public channel or private wing? The latter requires an appointment made with a specific doctor. https://www.siphhospital.com/en/medical-services/find-doctor Or you can call Call Center 1464 For the public channel just show up, as early in the morning as possible. Note that you will be seen (at least initially) by a junior doctor or doctor in training not a senior specialist and they might require you to see a general doctor first before letting you see a pulmonologist..if they think indicated. I am not sure they even have an adult pulmonary clinic, website of the pulmonary division suggests not. https://www2.si.mahidol.ac.th/en/pediatrics/division-of-pulmonology/ There is an allergy clinic, ENT clinic abd a pediatric pulmonary clinic but I find no mention of an adult pulmonary clinic. If I knew what your problem was, I could advise bettrr.

A kidney abscess does not affect the ability of the kidneys to process wastes (even complete loss of 1 kidney does not). The protein intake issue is for people with significant kidney failure and not applucable to yoyr wife. Chicken will not hurt in the least. Neither will any other food

At any hospital you will have to have a doctor consultaion first to get the EKG ordered. Only exception would be through a check up package which eould include other tests so cost more. Or if you had doctor order from affiliated hospital. Government hospital will be least expensive. No absolute guarantee they will order rhe test but probably will if given good explanation. Lifecare labs will be least hassle.no need to consult doctor first. Cost more than hovt hospital but less than private hospital. http://lifecare.siam2web.com None of these places are going to send the EKG to your doctor but they can all provide you with copy of it which you can scsn and send him yourself. Are you sure you need jyst an EKG and not a rhythm strip?

I find that Thais use the word "certified" to just mean signed or stamped, it does not mean same as it does to us. I think they just want a letter from the bank showing each transfer (date, amount) and stating it was transferred from abroad. (SSA part is nto important, it is that it was trabsferred from abroad). Signed and stamped. This is what others report providing.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eye-twitching# Can have many causes including insufficient sleep, too much caffeine, stress, some medications. usually goes away by itself.

This is to me unclear, particularly as to whether a complication for which hypertension was a risk factor would be covered. We do understand that routine management of chronic diseases is nto covered, but the policy wording is contradictory regarding "acute deteriorations of Chronic Illnesses". One other point to note is that the policy is issued out of Slovenia, and dispute resolution lies with Insurance ombudsman in Slovenia. I would suggest you instead look for a policy issued out of your country of nationality.

Yes, electronic. Rectal thermometers are hard to use on a squirming baby and there are risks if used incorrectly, my sense is that the users would be old ladies not necessarily well schooled in how far to insert etc. Hence my recommendation is for ear thermometer as the safest approach.

The main difference is that, obviously, you cannot take a baby's temperature orally. And not very easy to take axillary either plus those are not so reliable. best option are the type that go into the ear. Baby won't like that either, and wiggle and scream (especially if an ear infection is source of the fever!) but it's over pretty quickly. Good ones cost about 1,500 baht on Lazada and you'd need extra probe covers as well.

As per last few posts, this is only in reference to a cash benefit under an optional coverage extension that pays cash while in the hospital. It does not refer to medical expenses.

Thank you, that is my reading also, but wanted to be sure. So medical expenses arising form accidents are covered unless due to intoxication, driving without a license, etc.

General Terms and Conditions apply to all insured persons and if nothing else is specified in your policy, these are the full extent of the limitations for you. reading it, the main limitations appear to be: 1. Only "urgent" medical care is covered. This is typical or travel policies. Necessary but elective surgeries etc would not be covered, neither would routine care. If you are in fact just visiting Thailand this may be fine but if actually living here, would not be equivalent to full health cover. 2. Exclusion for " events which are in any way connected with the insured’s conscious self-inflicted injuries or disease, reckless behaviour, abuse of alcoholor drugs or other prohibited substances, or with self-exposure to unnecessary risk (except in case of trying to save a human life)," " claims related to consequences of excessive consumption of alcohol, drug abuse, etc" and " driving motor vehicles without holding appropriate official permits". These too are standard travel insurance policy clauses. (Also excludes injury from diving, downhill cycling, competitive racing and other "extreme" sports. This too is usual). I find the wording about chronic diseases (which would include your pre-existing hypertension) confusing as in Article 6 it states "Urgent Medical Treatment, transportation, medication and any other costs in relation to acute deteriorations of Chronic Illnesses are covered up to the specific limit stated in the insurance cover chart." but in Article 8, Special Exclusions, it lists "deterioration of Pre-existing Medical Conditions" as an exclusion. I suggest you email them specifically equesting clarification on this point, it is important. A stroke or heart failure could be considered a deterioriation of your chronic hypertension. Regarding accidents, in Article 6 it states "Costs of Urgent Medical Care and doctor’s visit due to an injury or illness of the Insured are covered" but makes no specific mention of hospitalization. In Section 5 it states "if the Insured is admitted to hospital as an in-patient for more than 48 hours as a result of an accident while staying abroad, we will pay to the amount stated in the schedule for each day of hospitalisation (from the 3rd day inclusive) up to a maximum of 10 days" only if you take out the additional Accident Extension cioverage. I think, but am not 100% certain, that this is referring to a daily payment separate from actual hospital charges (hence kicking in only from day 3 onward; it would be intended to compensate for other incidental costs incurred due to prolonged hospitalization). @Etaoin Shrdlu do you read it same way?

Moved to the correct forum as nothing Bangkok-specific about this. I have SS direct deposit coming in to my Thai bank account (Kasikorn). Payment originates at Federal Reserve Bank in NY, passes to Citibank Thailand and from there is an internal BahtNet transfer to my bank. Frankly never looked at exchange rate before. Looking at it now, there is an exchange rate shown on the Credit Advice which is lower than indicated per https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en For example, on 3 February exchange rate applied was 33.7. Should have been 34.4 or 34.5 depending on whether it was "buy" or "sell" USD which in turn I assume depends on where the conversion was done (?) I cannot tell where the currency conversion took place - Federal Reserve Bank or Citibank Thailand. I also cannot really tell how to compare Citibank Thailand exchange rates to what is listed on oanda as it has three categories: telegraphic transfer, cash and "on demand". https://www.citibank.co.th/THGCB/COA/frx/prefxratinq/flow.action