FitzMed Diagnostics

A diabetic patient came to the lab recently, and one thing she told me was:

“I know I'm supposed to watch my food, but I still crave the foods I used to eat.”

And honestly, I understand.

Having diabetes doesn't mean you should stop enjoying food.

The goal is to learn how to build your meals better.

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One meal I would encourage you to consider is:

Beans + plenty of vegetables + a moderate portion of your preferred carbohydrate.

For example:

Beans with a small portion of rice, boiled plantain or sweet potato, alongside vegetables and a source of protein such as fish or egg.

Beans are a good source of fibre and plant protein, although they still contain carbohydrates, so portion matters.

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Here's the important part.

Don't make the rice or other starchy food the biggest thing on your plate.

Instead, try this simple method:

Half of your plate: vegetables

One-quarter: protein

One-quarter: carbohydrate such as beans, rice, yam, plantain or sweet potato.

This type of plate arrangement is recommended as a simple way to balance meals for people with diabetes.

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For example, instead of:

A very large plate of white rice + a little stew

Try:

Vegetables + fish + a smaller portion of rice + beans.

You are still eating rice.

You are not starving yourself.

You're simply changing the balance of the meal.

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And if you're craving something sweet?

Don't immediately reach for soft drinks, sweets or sugary beverages.

A portion of whole fruit can be a better option. Fruit still contains carbohydrate, so portion matters, but whole fruit also provides fibre and nutrients.

And make water your regular drink whenever possible.

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One more thing.

Don't completely stop eating carbohydrates just because you have diabetes.

Carbohydrates can be part of a healthy diabetes meal plan. What matters is the type, amount and how you combine them with the rest of your meal.

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If you are already taking diabetes medication or insulin, don't change your medication because of a food post online.

Your meal plan should fit your medication, blood sugar levels, lifestyle and other health conditions.

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So the next time you're craving that food you love, don't always think:

“I can never eat this again.”

Ask yourself:

“How can I eat this in a healthier portion and combine it with better foods?”

That mindset is much easier to maintain.

Diabetes management is not about starving yourself.

It's about learning how to eat wisely.

Stay informed.
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One thing I’ve noticed when people come to the lab for blood sugar tests is that many are surprised when the result comes back high.

They will say:

“But I don't eat much sugar.”

Then we start talking about what they eat and drink regularly…

And sometimes, the problem becomes clearer.

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You don't have to be eating sweets every day before your blood sugar can become a problem.

Some everyday foods and drinks can contain a lot of added sugar or refined carbohydrates.

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1. Soft drinks

Coke.

Fanta.

Sprite.

Pepsi.

And other sugary soft drinks.

They can contain a lot of added sugar, and drinking them regularly can make it easier to consume more sugar and calories than you realize.

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2. Energy drinks

Some people take them almost every day.

One in the morning.

Another in the afternoon.

Then they wonder why their sugar and weight are becoming difficult to control.

If you don't need them, don't make them an everyday habit.

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3. Sweetened fruit drinks

Don't assume that anything with “fruit” written on the bottle is automatically healthy.

Some fruit drinks and juices contain a lot of added sugar.

Whole fruits are generally a better choice than sugary fruit drinks.

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4. Biscuits and pastries

Those biscuits you keep beside your bed.

The meat pie.

Doughnuts.

Cakes.

They may look harmless because they're small.

But eating them frequently can add a lot of refined carbohydrates, sugar and calories to your diet.

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5. Sweetened tea and coffee

Some people don't realize how much sugar they are taking because it is going into their tea.

Two or three spoons every morning…

Then another cup later.

It adds up.

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6. Large portions of refined carbohydrates

White bread.

Large portions of white rice.

Noodles.

Other refined carbohydrate-heavy meals.

This doesn't mean you must completely stop eating carbohydrates.

The issue is portion, frequency and the overall quality of your diet.

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7. “Healthy” drinks loaded with sugar

Some flavored yogurts, malt drinks and other packaged beverages can contain significant amounts of added sugar.

Don't just look at the front of the bottle.

Check the nutrition label.

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But please, don't read this post and start fearing food.

You don't need to completely remove every carbohydrate from your diet.

You need a balanced diet, appropriate portions, regular physical activity and moderation.

And if you already have diabetes, don't stop or change your medication because of a Facebook post.

Work with your healthcare team.

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And here's something many people forget:

Diabetes is not caused by sugar alone.

Genetics, excess body weight, physical inactivity, age and other factors can contribute to the risk.

So don't blame yourself if you develop diabetes.

Instead, know your risk and take action.

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If you haven't checked your blood sugar in a while…

Maybe it's time.

Especially if you have risk factors or symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or unusual tiredness.

Don't wait until you feel very sick before checking.

Know your numbers.

Watch what you eat.

Take care of yourself.

Stay informed. Stay healthy.

Headache can come from many things, such as poor sleep, dehydration, stress, eye strain, tension headaches, infections, high blood pressure, and migraine. Malaria can cause headache too, especially when accompanied by fever, chills, body weakness or other symptoms.

This is why I always tell patients:

Don't see a headache and immediately buy malaria drugs. Test first when malaria is suspected.

And if the headache is severe, keeps coming back, comes with confusion, seizures, weakness, stiff neck, repeated vomiting, or very high fever, seek medical attention promptly.

One thing I’ve noticed in the lab is that when people see “WBC low” on their Full Blood Count, they immediately become scared.

Some will ask:

“Does this mean I have HIV?”

Not necessarily.

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Your WBC — white blood cell count — is part of your body's defence system.

So when the number is lower than the laboratory's reference range, it can mean that your body has fewer white blood cells available to fight infections.

But there are many possible reasons.

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A low WBC can sometimes occur with:

Some viral infections

Certain medications

Nutritional deficiencies

Bone marrow problems

Autoimmune conditions

Some chronic illnesses

Certain treatments such as chemotherapy

Sometimes, it can also be temporary and return to normal after an infection or other underlying problem resolves.

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And this is where people make a mistake.

They see:

WBC: Low

Then immediately conclude:

“I have a serious disease.”

Please don't do that.

One abnormal result does not tell the whole story.

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As Medical Laboratory Scientists, we don't look at WBC alone.

We also look at the neutrophils, lymphocytes and other blood-count parameters, together with your symptoms and medical history.

For example, a particularly low neutrophil count can increase the risk of certain infections.

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So if your WBC is low, don't panic.

And don't start taking drugs or supplements simply because somebody told you to “increase your blood.”

Find out why it is low.

Your doctor may repeat the FBC or request other investigations depending on the result and your clinical condition.

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And if you have a very low white-cell count and develop fever, chills, severe weakness or other signs of infection, seek medical attention promptly.

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Your FBC is not just numbers on paper.

Sometimes, one small abnormal result is your body's way of saying:

“Please pay attention.”

Don't ignore it.

Don't panic either.

Get it properly interpreted.

One thing I've noticed in the lab is that many people hear the word “ulcer” and immediately start changing their diet, drinking milk, or buying different drugs.

But ulcer treatment is not supposed to be guesswork.

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1. Find out what is causing it.

One important cause of peptic ulcers is H. pylori infection.

If your healthcare provider suspects H. pylori, appropriate tests such as a stool antigen test or urea breath test may be requested.

And yes, H. pylori can be treated.

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2. Be careful with painkillers.

This one is very important.

Drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of ulcers or bleeding.

If you frequently use painkillers and you have ulcer symptoms, talk to your doctor about safer options.

Don't just keep taking them because they are easily available.

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3. Don't believe every ulcer remedy you hear.

Milk may temporarily soothe the burning sensation for some people, but it is not a treatment for an ulcer.

And you don't need to drink special mixtures or herbal preparations because someone said they healed their ulcer with it.

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4. Don't starve yourself.

You don't need to stop eating for long periods because you have an ulcer.

Eat a balanced diet that you tolerate well.

There is also no special “ulcer diet” that has been proven to heal peptic ulcers.

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5. Avoid alcohol while you're healing.

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and may make symptoms worse.

If you have an ulcer or are undergoing treatment, it's safest to avoid it and follow your healthcare provider's advice.

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6. Pay attention to foods that trigger your symptoms.

There is no single food that causes every person's ulcer symptoms.

For some people, spicy or acidic foods may make the discomfort worse.

If a particular food consistently triggers your symptoms, reduce or avoid it.

But don't unnecessarily restrict your entire diet.

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7. Don't ignore warning signs.

If you vomit blood, pass black/tarry stool, develop severe or persistent abdominal pain, become very weak or dizzy, seek urgent medical attention.

Those can be signs of bleeding or another serious complication.

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And one more thing…

Don't just treat the pain and assume the ulcer is gone.

If H. pylori is responsible, the infection needs appropriate treatment and follow-up.

If medications are causing the ulcer, the medication may need to be reviewed.

The important thing is to find the cause.

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As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, this is what I always tell people:

Don't treat based on assumptions.

Get properly assessed.

Find the cause.

Treat it correctly.

And don't allow someone on the street to tell you what is wrong with your stomach.

Your stomach deserves better

One day, a young man came into the lab and asked me:

“Please, what does genotype actually mean?”

And honestly, I realized that many people know their genotype…

But don't really understand what it means.

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You may have heard:

AA.
AS.
SS.
AC.

But what exactly are these letters telling you?

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Your genotype describes the type of haemoglobin genes you inherited from your parents.

It is different from your blood group.

Your blood group tells us whether you are A, B, AB or O, with your Rhesus status being positive or negative.

Your genotype is about your haemoglobin type.

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For example:

AA generally means you inherited normal adult haemoglobin genes from both parents.

AS means you carry one normal haemoglobin gene and one sickle haemoglobin gene.

A person with AS is generally called a sickle cell trait carrier and usually does not have sickle cell disease.

SS is one of the common genotypes associated with sickle cell disease.

There are also other haemoglobin variants, such as AC, and some combinations can cause significant disease.

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Now, this is where genotype becomes very important when planning to have children.

Imagine a man who is AS and a woman who is also AS.

For each pregnancy, there is:

25% chance of AA

50% chance of AS

25% chance of SS

These are probabilities for each pregnancy.

It doesn't mean that if the first child is AA, the next child must be AS.

Each pregnancy is a separate event.

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This is why I always tell people:

Know your genotype before marriage or before planning children.

Not because genotype should be used to judge someone's worth.

Not because someone with AS is “bad.”

And definitely not because having a particular genotype means you cannot find love.

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It is about making an informed decision.

If both partners carry haemoglobin variants that could result in a child with a significant haemoglobin disorder, they should speak with a qualified healthcare professional or genetic counsellor.

They can explain the actual risks and available reproductive options.

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And please don't rely on:

“My mother said I'm AA.”

“My old school card says AS.”

“I did it many years ago.”

If you're not sure about your result, get properly tested.

Use a reliable laboratory and keep your result somewhere safe.

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One more thing…

Don't confuse genotype with blood group.

They are two completely different things.

You can be:

O positive + AS

or

A positive + AA

or

B negative + SS

Your blood group and genotype are separate characteristics.

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As a Medical Laboratory Scientist, I always encourage people to know these things about themselves.

Because sometimes, one simple test can give you information that becomes very important years later.

Know your blood group.
Know your genotype.
Understand what they mean.

Don't wait until you're about to get married before you start asking questions.

Your health information is part of knowing yourself.

A young lady came into the lab one day and told me:

“I don't understand what is happening. I keep having discharge.”

She had been treating herself with different drugs, but the problem kept coming back.

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This is something many women experience.

Unusual vaginal discharge.

Itching.

Odour.

Burning.

Discomfort.

And instead of getting tested, they often go straight to the pharmacy.

“Give me something for infection.”

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But here's the thing…

Not every vaginal infection is the same.

And not every discharge should be treated with the same medication.

That's where an HVS — High Vaginal Swab may be useful.

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You may need to see a healthcare professional about an HVS if you have:

Unusual or persistent vaginal discharge

A strong or unpleasant vaginal odour

Persistent vaginal itching

Burning or irritation

Pain or discomfort during s*x

Recurrent vaginal infections

Symptoms that keep returning after treatment

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The HVS sample can be examined to help identify certain causes of vaginal symptoms, including some bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections.

Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may also request other tests.

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And please…

Don't start taking antibiotics before testing just because you think it's “infection.”

You may be treating the wrong organism.

You may also contribute to antibiotic resistance.

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Don't be embarrassed to talk about vaginal symptoms.

It's a health issue.

If you notice something unusual…

Don't guess. Don't self-medicate. Get properly assessed.

Because before we treat an infection…

We should know what we're treating.

Stay informed. Stay healthy.

You get fever, you buy malaria drugs. Fever comes again, you buy another one. My brother, who told you it's malaria?

Today, a young, beautiful lady came into the lab.

She looked perfectly fine.

But you could see the fear in her eyes.

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She came because she was worried after having unprotected s*x.

She wanted to know her HIV status.

So we tested.

And unfortunately…

The result was positive.

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Honestly, moments like this are not easy.

You look at someone so young, full of life and plans…

And you realize how one decision can completely change the way they see their future.

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I could see the questions running through her mind:

“What will happen to me?”

“Can I still have a relationship?”

“Can I get married?”

“Can I have children?”

“Will people reject me?”

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And this is why I always tell young people:

Please don't take unprotected s*x lightly.

You may trust the person.

You may love the person.

You may even believe:

“Nothing can happen.”

But you don't always know someone's HIV status or other STI status simply by looking at them.

Someone can look completely healthy and still be living with HIV.

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If you're s*xually active and you don't know your partner's status, test together.

And if you are not ready to know your status or discuss protection…

Please don't put yourself at unnecessary risk.

Condoms can help reduce the risk of HIV and other s*xually transmitted infections when used correctly and consistently.

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And if you recently had a possible HIV exposure, don't sit at home panicking.

PEP may be an option if started as soon as possible, and it must be started within 72 hours of the exposure.

Go to a hospital or appropriate healthcare facility immediately and ask about it.

Don't wait for symptoms.

Don't start random drugs.

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And for anyone who has just tested positive…

Please don't conclude that your life is over.

It isn't.

HIV is treatable.

With effective treatment and good adherence, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

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But prevention is still better than having to deal with the fear and uncertainty that can follow an avoidable exposure.

So please…

Protect yourself.

Know your status.

Know your partner's status.

Use protection.

And don't allow a moment of excitement to create years of regret.

S*x should not cost you your health.

Stay safe.