"Creamsicle plasma" held the answer to this man's erectile dysfunction
Key Takeaways
Vital Signs
Male
Suffers from erectile dysfunction
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) lab test performed
Unusual yellow-orange hue seen
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can be a challenging and frustrating condition and is often linked to physical and emotional factors. However, sometimes the answer is more complex than the usual suspects—heart disease, diabetes, or stress.
Amy B. Killen, MD, shared an intriguing medical mystery on Instagram that involves an unusual clue: a patient's blood plasma, which seemed to be a strange color and consistency. Could this "creamsicle plasma" hold the key to the patient’s persistent ED?
Related: Top 10 drugs that may contribute to sexual dysfunctionThe Patient
Dr. Killen says the man claimed to be "completely healthy" aside from dealing with erectile dysfunction for several years.
Despite a clean bill of health on paper, he continues to struggle with a common issue that often points to underlying causes like vascular health or hormonal imbalances.
The Tests
To investigate further, Dr. Killen performed a standard test to prepare platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This process involves spinning the patient's blood to separate out the other components of the blood from the platelets and concentrate them within the plasma. []
Normally, the plasma that separates from the red blood cells should have a clear yellowish color, reminiscent of pale urine. However, the plasma that was collected from this patient appeared markedly different. The plasma resembled the color and texture of a creamsicle—an unusual yellow-orange hue that piqued Dr. Killen’s curiosity.
The Diagnosis
This abnormal appearance indicated the presence of something potentially problematic in the blood, possibly a high concentration of inflammatory markers, lipids, or other substances affecting circulation.
The unusual plasma color might suggest that the patient’s blood was thicker or more viscous than normal, potentially hindering the function of blood vessels and impacting erectile function.
In the comments, Dr. Killen said she suspected the man had familial hypertriglyceridemia—a genetic disorder characterized by elevated blood triglyceride levels—but it could also come down to his lifestyle factors. []
The Treatment
The treatment for familial hypertriglyceridemia typically involves avoiding excess calories and foods high in saturated fats and carbs. People may also need to take medicine if their triglyceride levels stay high, even after they've made changes to their diet. []
Related: Can spider venom treat erectile dysfunction? Clinical trials are underway.The Takeaway
This case reminds us of the complexity of erectile dysfunction. While it’s often attributed to well-known causes like diabetes, hypertension, or stress, sometimes the answers lie in more subtle and unexpected clues.
By thinking outside the box, we can uncover new ways to approach diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcomes in ways we might not have expected.