Still Sick After a Negative Test? Understanding PCR, BioFire, and When More Information Matters

Cravings vs Hunger on GLP-1 Medications: How to Tell the Difference

Not every urge to eat on a GLP-1 medication is true hunger. In this episode of the medical weight loss series, I explain the difference between cravings and physiologic hunger, how to use a simple 1–5 hunger scale, and why tracking hunger patterns—before you eat—can guide long-term success without unnecessary dose increases.

Protein Floors & Targets: How Much You Really Need on GLP-1 Medications

In this episode of my medical weight loss series, we talk about why protein matters so much—especially if you’re on GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide. I explain the difference between a protein floor and a protein target, how to protect muscle without forcing food, and how to use protein strategically for long-term weight loss success.

Why Weight Loss Feels Slower Now — and Why That’s Not Failure Insulin, Aging, and the New Rules of Weight Loss

This episode kicks off my medical weight loss series, just in time for spring. If weight loss feels harder than it used to, you’re not imagining it—and you’re not failing. In this episode, I explain how insulin and aging change the rules of weight loss and why understanding what’s happening in your body is the first step toward sustainable results. Interested in medication for weight loss? www.housecallhc.com

Influenza is Surging in Arizona: What You Need to Know Right Now

Influenza is surging across Arizona, and many families are confused about testing, treatment, and when someone is contagious. In this episode, I explain why anyone with a fever should be tested, how rapid tests can miss early flu, when Biofire PCR testing makes sense, how Tamiflu and Xofluza compare for prevention and treatment, and why early antiviral treatment is critical not just for individual recovery but for public health.

Still Sick After a Negative Test? Understanding PCR, BioFire, and When More Information Matters

Rapid flu, COVID, and strep tests are helpful — but they don’t always tell the full story. In this episode of Housecalls and Health, we explain why rapid tests can be falsely negative, how PCR-based testing like BioFire works, and when additional testing can change diagnosis and treatment. We discuss real clinical examples, including the rise of mycoplasma pneumonia, why it’s often missed, and how early diagnosis can significantly shorten illness and recovery time.