David Gordon

Kidney biopsies are usually the "gold standard" for diagnosing kidney diseases. They are very accurate, assuming a good sample is obtained (which should be checked by the person doing the procedure). Hope your kidney problems resolve. David Gordon, MD.

Refresh me again, what's "HVs" (you didn't mean "HSV" = herpes simplex virus?), and what symptoms prompted you to take this test? If you still have the symptoms and are able, I would re-take the test just to be sure. Dave Gordon, M.D.

In general, a PSA level ≥4.0 ng/mL is considered elevated and should prompt repeat testing (to confirm that this is not a spurious result). If confirmed, then you should see a urologist for further consultation since many things besides prostate cancer can cause at least transient PSA elevations. If you have any risk factors for prostate cancer (e.g. family history, certain genetic cancer predispositions, age over 50 years) I would definitely follow up on this with a urologist who may recommend prostate biopsy which is the only way to definitively diagnose prostate cancer. If you send me your email address, be happy to send you some patient-friendly information on this topic. David Gordon, M.D.

What are the actual numbers listed for your hematocrit, mean cell HDG, red blood count and low anion gap? You may be anemic but hard to say how seriously anemic without these numbers. Do you have a primary care doctor? Someone needs to be looking at all of your lab test numbers plus examining you to really find out what is going on. Thanks! David Gordon, M,D.

I would refer this question to whomever will be doing your thyroid biopsy. If we are talking about a needle biopsy/cytology then possibly not. However some patients are very anxious under any surgical procedure which causes some pain, and if this is to be an open skin surgical biopsy, they some anesthesia (either general or local) may be required. Again this a question for the person doing the procedure.

May I assume that you have actual lab test numbers for your kidney function ( e.g. BUN and creatinine)? If so what exactly are these numbers?

David Gordon, M.D.

If you have either not had a Pap smear in a while (e.g. within a few years) or have had abnormal Pap smears in the past, it would be best to get a Pap smear soon. However I would defer to your doctor about this. Doing a Pap smear while pregnant should not pose any problem to your pregnancy. If past Pap smears have all been normal then it’s probably okay to wait until after your pregnancy. However again I would defer to your doctor about this. Hope this helps a bit. Dave Gordon

“To improve the health of the communities we serve. That is why we are here!”
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David Gordon, M.D.
Professor of Pathology (VERY Active Emeritus!) and Director of Cardiovascular Pathology
Director of Faculty Programs, Office for Health Equity and Inclusion for the University of Michigan Health System
University of Michigan Medical School/Michigan Medicine
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It may take a few business days to get a kidney biopsy result back. Unlike standard biopsies (e.g. skin moles), depending on the situation, more things have to be done on a kidney biopsy including fluorescence microscopy, possibly electron microscopy, in addition to the standard light microscopic examination. Depending on the pathology laboratory processing the biopsy, I would imagine up to 5-7 days to get the full diagnostic answer. Also if the patient is facing a rapidly deteriorating kidney function condition, the doctor may want to presume a diagnosis and institute treatment immediately, which may speed recovery, and which can be later changed once the full biopsy results come in.