Locations
Office
Fairfax, VA
Phone
Insurances accepted
CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
Aetna
Tricare
About
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Internal Medicine
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
72 Answers
20 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Birth control pills: If your TSH is normal you are not hypothyroid. T4 is converted to t3 (liothyronine) in your cells. The blood test measures t3 (liothyronine) that is b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Nassau, Fatigue: Could you be pregnant? Do a home pregnancy test, if negative, try OTC ranitidine 150 mg 2 x a day, avoid alcohol, ibuprofen Aleve (naproxen) and caffe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Pregnant??: Nausea with the smell of food is most compatible with pregnancy. However, other causes are possible. Check a home pregnancy test and if negative see y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Bruising Bites: very normal, lots of pressure to surrounding soft tissues causing the bruising and inflammation. If the bite broke the skin, may need antibiotics, hum... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
TSH: Your TSH is normal, meaning your thyroid is functioning normally. Therefore there is no need to take T4(thyroid replaacement). Thyroid nodules are qui... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Scleroderma: Although we do not think of scleroderma or other autoimmune diseases as hereditary, i.e. clearly passed down from one generation to another, there is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Ear pain: This could be TMJ syndrome due to grinding your teeth. Ask your dentist if he/she sees evidence of such. A night guard may be beneficial
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Cardiomyopathy & GI: Yes if you are on a diuretic you can get very dehydrated, also may be side effect of medication. talk with your doc tonight. Try to keep up with fluid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Cough rare in Strep: Cough is usally not present with strep throat. However a cough following any upper respiratory infection can last a few weeks. If it is associated wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Cybalta: This is the lowest dose. Fatigue is not that common with this Rx but taking it at night is a good idea
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Synthroid (thyroxine) directions: Synthroid (thyroxine) should be taken on an empty stomach without other meds which can effect its absorption so better to space them an hour apart
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Penicillin & Strep: If you were diagnosed with Strep throat, it is important to take full course of Penicillin to prevent the rare complications of step which include r... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Likely Concussion: The CT rules out any bleeding in your Brain. Your symptoms are classic for a Concussion - a traumatic brain injury. Effects are usually temporary but... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Shingles: could be shingles.......... a painful rash with blisters along a nerve root. This should be evaluated by your doc asap as there is treatment but needs... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
FNA thyroid: You would usually know that there was bleeding soon after the biopsy with swelling and pain. Rare complication.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Depression: Please see your physician. Depression is highly treatable and you need an adjustment in medications and it may also be helpful to get some therapy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Neck pain: Start with your internist or family doc who will refer you to a pain management physician, neurologist, neurosurgeon or spine doc. Many treatments in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
PACs: These are benign premature atrial contractions and do not need intervention. Treatment can be used if they are bothersome
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Chest pain: GERD can cause chest pain but should not cause reproducible pain with palpation. This sounds more like inflammation of the muscles and cartilage aroun... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Hypertension: Is defined as equal to or greater than 140 on the top number were equal to or greater than 90 on the bottom number. High blood pressure is usually sil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Yeast vaginitis: She should be checked for diabetes as this can be related to chronic yeast infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 65-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Chest nodule: The good news is small. hasn't changes in 6 m & CEA normal Many tiny nodules are scars from prior infections. Standard protocol is to monitor wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Pneumothorax: This is when air gets between the thin membrane surrounding your lungs, the pleura It causes the lung to collapse.The amount lung collapses is depen... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Neuropathy: Your symptoms are from nerve irritation which may or may not be from your disc. Consult with your doc asap.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Cancer: No but as we age we develop mutations in our genes that our body normally gets rid of. However, as we age this is less effective over time. Remember t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Osteopenia: Really depends on what your score was and how old you are and what other risk factors you have.. We used to do DEXA scans every 2 years. Data now sugg... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Diverticula: Most americans have diverticula, little outpouchings in the colon wall. They rarely cause problems but can get infected, diverticulitis, or cause sig... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Insomnia: There are many reasons for waking up in the middle of the night including depression, posttraumatic stress syndrome and anxiety, stress, alcohol, caff... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Healthy Life style: Mediterranean diet high in fruits, veggies whole grains, olive oil, nuts. fish and occasional small portions of lean meats, preferably white meat pou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
GI upset and vomitin: Absolutely needs evaluation, could be reflux, ulcer disease, pregnancy, gallstones or many other diagnoses. Make an appointment with your doc. Try not... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Radiculopathy: Your symptoms are from nerve irritation
likely from your neck.. Consult with a neurologist or spine doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Dry skin: Take less showers/ baths, use dove or cetaphil soap, use aveeno (oatmeal) anti itch or sarna, both otc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
FLUID IN YOUR LUNGS: MANY POSSIBILITIES INCLUDING PNEUMONIA, TB AND OTHER UNUSUAL INFECTIONS, HEART FAILURE, KIDNEY FAILURE, LIVER FAILURE, AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES SUCH AS LU... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Ignore: Eat lots of salty food and drink lots of fluid, wear support hose, stand up slowly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Birth control pills : Yes, often have scanty periods with birth control pills.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Toe irritation: Try otc anti fungal cream such as lotrimin (clotrimazole). Often can get a yeast ( tinea) infection in between skin of toes. If not improving get eva... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Retroperitoneal Fibr: Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare disease, often idiopathic, but drugs, infections malignancies, prior surgeries, radiation therapy, smoking, and as... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Menstrual cramping: Nsaids help quite a bit Ibuprofen 600 mg 3 x a day or aleve (naproxen) 2 pills 2 x a day as needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Lisinopril ; alcohol: In moderate amounts this is safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Colon Cancer: CEA is blood test associated w/colon Ca. However, not a good screening test - significant false +, can be high with benign conditions & in early C... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
POSSIBLE FRACTURE: THIS IS A TYPICAL INJURY THAT CAN CAUSE A COLLES FRACTURE IN THE WRIST OR NAVECULAR FRACTURE. IN THE HAND BY THE THUMB. GO TO URGENT CARE OR EMERGENC... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Sinusitis: A fluid level in your sinus is usually a sign of an infection with "pus" likely. I often treat this with antibiotics and a steroid nose spray for 2-4 ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Timing of Meds: I tell my patients to take Prednisone in the AM, less likely to cause insomnia. Protonix (pantoprazole) should be taken before a meal. Plavix should b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
? hives: Staph coag neg is a normal skin bacteria and not the cause of your symptoms. None of us are sterile, we can culture bacteria off all of us. If deslora... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Addiction: Overcoming an addiction and staying drug-free require a persistent effort. Learning new coping skills and knowing where to find help are essential. Se... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Nose bleeds: Likely from your URI and dry mucus membranes, unlikely from RX. NSAID such as OTC ibuprofen, naproxen & aspirin also can contribute to bleeding. U... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Stuck in throat: Pills can get stuck in your esophagus especially if you do not drink water while taking. They can cause an ulceration and this is like a burn, can be ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Clonazapam & Zoloft (sertraline): Sertraline (Zoloft) is an SSRI and is usually a 1st line drug for anxiety or depression. It takes a few days -weeks to work and is very effective. Clo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Cirrhosis: Nothing is 100% in medicine but all 3 of these tests are normal making it improbable that you have cirrhosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Robin Merlinoanswered
Internal Medicine 43 years experience
Depression ; anxiety: I would only use Abilify (aripiprazole) as a last resort. There are many other drugs to try before adding this drug. Although Abilify (aripiprazole) i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
103
Thank you notes
Mar 22, 2015
Great Doc!!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Merlino is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Merlino is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! Thanks I feel better about it now. My friend got bit once by a spider and looking at mine made me think of that
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! i thought it was a serious problem I'm so relieved doc thank you so much :D
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I will keep checking my BP this week, then make an appt to see my dr.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Michigan Medical School, MI
Graduated 1980MD
Residency
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIV HOSPITAL
Awards
Washingtonian Top Internist from 1985 to current
Top General Internist, First Place, Virginia - Spring
2014
Top Doctor, Third Place, Arlington Region - Spring
2014
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less
