The Medical Report Jargon Buster at www.medexplain.in
Please check out our new Medical Jargon Buster at www.medexplain.in ! This free application has been designed to help patients make sense of their medical reports !
Just now I tested the medical jargon buster. This is such a nice initiative and thanks a lot for the people who dedicated their time and effort for developing this software. Can I give my suggestions? You have developed this software for common people. This medical jargon buster will be used by people who doesn't have any prior medical knowledge (ok,most of the time). The aim is not teach them medicine (sorry!). So the explanation for each and every medical jargon should be crisp and give them the points they are looking for.
For example, I am a naive person who doesnt have prior medical knowledge and I received my blood tests in hand. I dont know for what RBC stand for and its significance or function in my body. I want to know the answer for this first in a few sentence and most importantly in a layman language. The next question is what is the value nearby this RBC, is it normal or abnormal? So I need to know what a normal value is and what can be the possible diagnosis if it is higher or lower than the normal values. The software should definitely inlude this. Only then you can expect that a common man will use it otherwise it would be difficult Dr. I hope I have made my thoughts clear. Perhaps when I have time I can give an example how the explanation of a medical jargon should be (not too scientific and not too confusing)inorder for the layman to understand. If someone in case needs further reading they can always refer to books or wikipedia!
I am totally confused now :( I tried to write about TSH and there is so much information you can give to someone. I found a 145 page report from American Association of Clinical Endocrinologits whch is flooded with information about hypothyroidism page to page. I wish atleast doctors read that :) I will give a format which I think might help people in gaining some basic knowledge about their condition. I am not a medical doctor so please bear with me if I have done something stupid :) Might be the format looks like spoon feeding but I am sure(!)(not so sure!) common people without prior medical knowledge would like to read something like this but this is what their doctor will tell them or :)
TSH
TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. It is also called as thyrotropin. TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland and it stimulates thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid gland plays a major role in regulating the body’s metabolism.
Why is TSH measured?
TSH measurement is used to determine thyroid gland dysfunction.
What is the normal TSH value in blood stream?
0.3-3.0
What does it mean when my TSH is higher than the normal value?
It usually means that the thyroid gland function is not optimal and you are probably suffering from a condition called hypothyroidism.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the amount of thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is not enough to meet our body’s metabolic needs. Thyroid gland of hypothyroid individuals does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism slows down our body’s metabolism and hence interferes with optimal body function.
What causes hypothyroidism?
Iodine deficiency and anti-thyroid antibodies are the main cause for hypothyroidism.
How is hypothyroidism treated?
Hypothyroidism is usually treated using synthetic thyroid hormone replacement. Iodine supplements in case of iodine deficiency will also help to improve thyroid function.
What does it mean when my TSH is lower than the normal value?
It means that you are suffering from a pathological condition called hyperthyroidism.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which our thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than it is supposed to. When more thyroid hormone is present in the blood stream our body’s metabolism increases several fold.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
An immune system abnormality called Grave’s disease, inflammation of the thyroid gland or any lump or nodule in thyroid gland leads to hyperthyroidism.
How is hyperthyroidism treated? Hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated using anti-thyroid medication, radioactive therapy or surgery.
Dear Dr,
ReplyDeleteJust now I tested the medical jargon buster. This is such a nice initiative and thanks a lot for the people who dedicated their time and effort for developing this software. Can I give my suggestions? You have developed this software for common people. This medical jargon buster will be used by people who doesn't have any prior medical knowledge (ok,most of the time). The aim is not teach them medicine (sorry!). So the explanation for each and every medical jargon should be crisp and give them the points they are looking for.
For example, I am a naive person who doesnt have prior medical knowledge and I received my blood tests in hand. I dont know for what RBC stand for and its significance or function in my body. I want to know the answer for this first in a few sentence and most importantly in a layman language. The next question is what is the value nearby this RBC, is it normal or abnormal? So I need to know what a normal value is and what can be the possible diagnosis if it is higher or lower than the normal values. The software should definitely inlude this. Only then you can expect that a common man will use it otherwise it would be difficult Dr. I hope I have made my thoughts clear. Perhaps when I have time I can give an example how the explanation of a medical jargon should be (not too scientific and not too confusing)inorder for the layman to understand. If someone in case needs further reading they can always refer to books or wikipedia!
Dear Dr,
ReplyDeleteI am totally confused now :( I tried to write about TSH and there is so much information you can give to someone. I found a 145 page report from American Association of Clinical Endocrinologits whch is flooded with information about hypothyroidism page to page. I wish atleast doctors read that :) I will give a format which I think might help people in gaining some basic knowledge about their condition. I am not a medical doctor so please bear with me if I have done something stupid :) Might be the format looks like spoon feeding but I am sure(!)(not so sure!) common people without prior medical knowledge would like to read something like this but this is what their doctor will tell them or :)
TSH
TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. It is also called as thyrotropin. TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland and it stimulates thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid gland plays a major role in regulating the body’s metabolism.
Why is TSH measured?
TSH measurement is used to determine thyroid gland dysfunction.
What is the normal TSH value in blood stream?
0.3-3.0
What does it mean when my TSH is higher than the normal value?
It usually means that the thyroid gland function is not optimal and you are probably suffering from a condition called hypothyroidism.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the amount of thyroid hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is not enough to meet our body’s metabolic needs. Thyroid gland of hypothyroid individuals does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism slows down our body’s metabolism and hence interferes with optimal body function.
What causes hypothyroidism?
Iodine deficiency and anti-thyroid antibodies are the main cause for hypothyroidism.
How is hypothyroidism treated?
Hypothyroidism is usually treated using synthetic thyroid hormone replacement. Iodine supplements in case of iodine deficiency will also help to improve thyroid function.
What does it mean when my TSH is lower than the normal value?
It means that you are suffering from a pathological condition called hyperthyroidism.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which our thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than it is supposed to. When more thyroid hormone is present in the blood stream our body’s metabolism increases several fold.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
An immune system abnormality called Grave’s disease, inflammation of the thyroid gland or any lump or nodule in thyroid gland leads to hyperthyroidism.
How is hyperthyroidism treated?
Hyperthyroidism can be successfully treated using anti-thyroid medication, radioactive therapy or surgery.
What do you think doctor?