Originally published January 2018. Reviewed and updated August 2026 — cervical cancer screening has changed substantially since this was first written. “How often am I supposed to get a Pap smear?” is one of the most common questions I get, and the honest answer is that it’s more complicated than it used to be — because screening got better, not … Read More
Thyroid Test Results Explained: What TSH, T4 and T3 Mean
Originally published November 2017. Reviewed and rewritten August 2026 to reflect current guidance from the American Thyroid Association, AACE and AAFP. You had blood drawn, the result says “TSH,” and you have no idea what you’re looking at. Let’s fix that. What TSH actually is Your thyroid — the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck — makes two … Read More
Breastfeeding: My Real Story, and What I Tell New Moms
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, so I want to share my own breastfeeding story — not the tidy version. I usually keep these posts scientific, and there are medical facts and tips at the end. But first I want to tell you what it was actually like, because I think new moms hear the polished version far too often. My … Read More
Poison Ivy: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)
Around 85% of people are allergic to poison ivy, oak and sumac. Only about 10 to 15% seem genuinely unable to react. Here are the facts and the fictions, because there is a lot of confident misinformation about this plant. FICTION: “I’ve never gotten it, so I’m immune.” This is the one that catches people out. The reaction is an … Read More
Diet and Zero Sugar Sodas: Are They Actually Helping?
If you switched from regular soda to a diet or zero sugar version to cut calories, you have probably also seen a headline telling you those drinks are linked to stroke, dementia, or weight gain. So which is it? Here is what the research actually says — and what it does not. First: “zero sugar” and “diet” are the same … Read More
Virtual Visits: See Your Provider Without Leaving Home
It’s 6 p.m. on a Friday. Your 3-year-old has a 102°F fever, a runny nose, and a slight cough. Do you load up the whole family and head to urgent care, or wait out the weekend and hope you can get in Monday with your regular provider? Or maybe you have diabetes, your blood sugars are fluctuating more than usual, … Read More