Your genetics decide your eye colour and your height. They also influence how your body processes medications — which is part of why one person does well on a particular antidepressant while another feels awful on the same dose, and why some people tolerate a statin while others get muscle aches. The science that studies this is called pharmacogenomics, often … Read More
Cervical Cancer Screening: How Often You Really Need a Pap
“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 because anyone is being difficult. Here’s where things stand. First: it may not be a Pap anymore For years, screening meant … Read More
Thyroid Test Results Explained: What TSH, T4 and T3 Mean
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 hormones, T4 and T3, which set the pace of your metabolism. TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone, and here is the … Read More