Spec. MD. Nubar Hajiyeva Reviews

A 46-year-old marine biologist presented with muscle weakness after a research expedition in the Amazon. Initial neurological consultation considered Guillain-Barré syndrome. Dr. Hajiyeva identified the specific toxin exposure from handling certain frog species and arranged for appropriate antitoxin administration, leading to full recovery.

A 28-year-old competitive freediver from the Black Sea coast presented with recurrent episodes of confusion and headaches after deep dives. Initial local clinics attributed it to decompression sickness, but Dr. Hajiyeva identified a rare patent foramen ovale through meticulous history-taking and arranged a contrast echocardiogram. The patient underwent percutaneous closure and returned to competitive diving within three months, with no further neurological symptoms.

A 72-year-old retired railway signalman with limited pension presented with progressive fatigue and weight loss. Multiple previous evaluations focused on his known COPD. Dr. Hajiyeva noticed subtle skin hyperpigmentation and ordered specific adrenal function tests, diagnosing Addison's disease. She coordinated with hospital social services to secure affordable glucocorticoid replacement therapy, resulting in complete symptom resolution.

A 19-year-old university exchange student from Azerbaijan presented with acute abdominal pain, initially suspected as appendicitis in the ER. Dr. Hajiyeva, recognizing the patient's hometown was endemic for certain parasites, ordered specific stool examinations and identified a severe ascariasis infestation causing biliary obstruction. Targeted antihelminthic treatment avoided surgery, and the student returned to studies after two weeks.

A 41-year-old single mother working three cleaning jobs presented with dizziness and palpitations. Multiple urgent care visits labeled it as anxiety. Dr. Hajiyeva discovered the patient was drinking excessive amounts of licorice tea for energy, causing apparent mineralocorticoid excess and severe hypokalemia. Simple dietary counseling and potassium supplementation resolved all symptoms within days.

A 67-year-old former shipyard welder presented with progressive joint pain and mild cognitive changes. Previous rheumatology consultations focused on osteoarthritis. Dr. Hajiyeva connected his occupational history with lead-based paint exposure to order heavy metal testing, revealing chronic lead poisoning. Chelation therapy organized through occupational medicine resulted in significant improvement.

A 33-year-old software developer recently relocated from Silicon Valley presented with recurrent fevers and mouth ulcers. Initial infectious disease workup was negative. Dr. Hajiyeva noted the symptoms began after the patient started a high-dose biotin supplement for hair growth, which was interfering with his thyroid function tests and masking subacute thyroiditis. Discontinuation led to spontaneous recovery.

An 8-year-old child from a refugee family presented with failure to thrive and recurrent infections. Multiple pediatric evaluations found no clear cause. Dr. Hajiyeva, consulting due to family history concerns, identified subtle nail and hair changes suggesting zinc deficiency from a strictly limited diet due to food insecurity. Zinc supplementation and nutritional support through a charity program resulted in dramatic catch-up growth.

A 55-year-old boutique hotel owner presented with episodic flushing and hypertension. Previous cardiology evaluations focused on essential hypertension. Dr. Hajiyeva recognized the classic 'red wine and cheese' exacerbation pattern and ordered urinary metanephrines, diagnosing a pheochromocytoma. Surgical resection was successful, and the patient's hypertension resolved completely.

A 24-year-old professional ballet dancer presented with unexplained fatigue and exercise intolerance. Multiple sports medicine evaluations found no cardiac or musculoskeletal cause. Dr. Hajiyeva identified subtle signs of celiac disease through careful dietary history and ordered specific serology, confirming the diagnosis. A gluten-free diet restored her performance capacity within months.

An 81-year-old retired philosophy professor with early dementia presented with recurrent falls. Geriatric evaluations focused on balance issues. Dr. Hajiyeva discovered the patient was secretly taking his wife's Parkinson's medication (levodopa) in a misguided attempt to improve his own cognition, causing orthostatic hypotension. Medication reconciliation and family education prevented further incidents.

A 37-year-old long-haul truck driver presented with new-onset diabetes and skin changes. Initial management focused solely on glucose control. Dr. Hajiyeva noted acanthosis nigricans and ordered iron studies, revealing hereditary hemochromatosis. Early diagnosis allowed for therapeutic phlebotomy, preventing liver and cardiac complications common in his profession.

A 29-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester presented with severe itching without rash. Obstetric care attributed it to normal pregnancy changes. Dr. Hajiyeva recognized possible intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy through liver function tests, facilitating early delivery planning that prevented potential fetal complications.

A 63-year-old grandmother caring for five grandchildren presented with confusion and ataxia. Emergency department evaluation found no stroke. Dr. Hajiyeva discovered the patient was accidentally taking her daughter's topiramate medication for migraines, thinking it was her own blood pressure pill. Correction of the medication error resulted in immediate cognitive improvement.

A 50-year-old night shift factory worker presented with resistant hypertension and hypokalemia. Previous treatment escalated multiple antihypertensives. Dr. Hajiyeva identified licorice consumption from a specific brand of herbal tea popular among factory workers as the cause of apparent mineralocorticoid excess. Discontinuation normalized his blood pressure without medications.