M.D. Suna Tuzcu

A 28-year-old competitive freediver presented with recurrent episodes of confusion and fatigue after deep dives. Dr. Tuzcu, suspecting an atypical form of decompression sickness affecting cerebral oxygen metabolism, collaborated with hyperbaric specialists to design a personalized recompression protocol combined with metabolic monitoring. The patient returned to competitive diving within 3 months with modified depth limits.

A 72-year-old retired shipyard welder from a low-income neighborhood presented with progressive weight loss and intermittent fever. Dr. Tuzcu discovered he'd been self-medicating with traditional herbal poultices for 'joint ghosts.' Through careful investigation, she diagnosed chronic beryllium disease masked by the herbal treatments, initiating steroid therapy and connecting him with occupational disease compensation programs.

A 19-year-old university exchange student from Central Asia presented with severe abdominal pain. Her family was unreachable due to regional conflicts. Dr. Tuzcu diagnosed acute intermittent porphyria triggered by fasting during cultural observances, managing the crisis with heme arginate while respectfully navigating the patient's religious practices and acting as temporary medical guardian.

A 41-year-old professional pastry chef presented with unexplained episodes of weakness and palpitations. Dr. Tuzcu identified a rare glucose transporter defect exacerbated by occupational exposure to aerosolized sugars. She designed a dietary plan allowing continued work through protective equipment modifications and timed nutrient intake, saving both his health and career.