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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.
Family Medicine
Licenses
United States: Illinois
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
764 Answers
318 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Debatable: Not enough space to answer. Concern with long term use of Prilosec is calcium absorption. But for people who need medication, have to take that chan... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: It is possible to develop an allergy to a medication even if you have taken it before. There is nothing you can do to prevent this though.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Try again please: hydromorphone is dilaudid but never heard of hydromorphone contin unless that is Exalgo (long acting diluadid). It would show up as hydromorphone n a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: it is ok to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) with Adderall.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Symptoms: Get your thyroid checked and your calcium level checked, hyperthyroidism and hyperparathyroidism may be the cause. Look at any medications you take, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
I have a tingling cold.sensation in my calf and foot and i believe it is swollen...what could it be?
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Foot: most concerning possibility for someone your age is a blood clot in your leg. I would see someone today to examine you.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible: It could be related to your heart, so seek medical attention. More likely based on your age to be a pinched nerve issue causing it as opposed to your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See md: sore throat and abdominal pain is often associated with strep throat, go see a doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
One is enough: One prenatal vitamin is adequate, no reason to take two a day. If you mean can you switch brands doing pregnancy or pre conception, yes, that is not ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See your doctor: Are you taking any medication that is new since the pregnancy? Isyour skin or eyes yellow in color? You may need your bilirubin level checked and y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Consistent: Fundal height should be approximately the same as the number of weeks pregnant you are, but maybe your dates are off a bit, or more likely, this is j... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See MD: If you are having abdominal pain and have a questionable home pregnancy test, go see your doctor now.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Sugar: Your sugars can be very sporadic and and change upward or downward, with pancreatitis, but normally it will go up. As your pancreas is damaged, so ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Eczema: Unfortunately your job duties do not help with your issue… Try to keep your skin from drying out, which the repetitive use of water and bleach will do... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
UTI: if it was only a simple UTI, should never have flank pain, if it was a kidney infection you may still be sore in your flank, if it is worse than when ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possibility: if accurate with cycle, very unlikely. Never assume the "pull out" as effective contraception. To be certain, check pregnancy tests.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Lexapro (escitalopram): Many people who are on SSRIs do absolutely fine with mucinex or robitussin. The concern is with something called serotonin syndrome when you mix the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Understand: not sure I understand. Tender means typically sore to the touch. If you touch your chest and it hurts, they are tender. Are you asking what can caus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Call MD: coukd be absolutely nothing or may be something. Lie down and have some water and call your OB today and explain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Reassurance: most likely reassure you that you are normal. They may check a few labs to make sure about the numb feeling too.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Boils: usually some type of skin infection. Possible allergic reaction. If only one side of scalp, consider shingles.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Stage fright: Many beta blockers are used for stage fright or performance anxiety. Ask your doctor which one may be best for you and appropriate for you with your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Unlikely: unlikely to be pregnant but best idea is to check a pregnancy test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Infection: sounds like you have some type of infection like the flu. The blurred vision is a bit alarming when associated with s headache. Go get seen and eval... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Dizzy: not sure about the hair but I would see someone to assess your dizziness. Sounds like a low blood pressure issue and/or vasovagal issue.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Anemic: Sorry to hear about miscarriage. As for blood transfusion, that means you were anemic and needed blood. Your normal hemoglobin is probably about 12 ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Always possible: Chances of pregnancy low but always possible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Repatha: a new class of cholesterol lowering medication. Very effective, new, usually expensive too. Likely to be used if "statin" intolerant or if need lowe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Unlikely blood draw: unlikely from blood draw as they only take a small amount (1 tablespoon) so unlikely dehydrated. If a simple uncomplicated blood draw then there shou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
White vs clear: Typically the color of your urine tells us about your hydration status. I am assuming you mean clear in color when you say white - if it is white and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
876 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Multiple treatments: May people have a disc protrusions or herniations, depends on if have any symptoms such as back or leg pain or numbers or tingling. If no symptoms, n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Conj hemorrhage: Sounds like a conjunctival hemorrhage. Normal vision, no pain in eye and blood in white part of eye. Typically happens as a result of increased pres... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Fatty Liver: Typically fat on the liver is not a cause of abdominal pain, so I would not blame your pain on that. You need to look for other causes, look to your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible: Kenalog (triamcinolone) is a steroid and steroids can cause a lot of symptoms from blood sugar elevation, insomnia, emotional lability to weight gain.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 62-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Difficult: tough to answer in 400 letters or less. Each individual has to look at the test for them. If you are healthy, I would get the PSA test yearly along ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Ear/throat: Soundsl like you may be dealing with some sinus issues, possibly related to a viral infection or allergies. I doubt it has to do with your period. T... 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. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Stool: I would see a doctor about that and have your stool examined to make certain you do not have a parasite or some type of infection or underlying bowel ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Sinus: it is ok to take for 14 days. You may want to try a nasal spray like Flonase to help with the inflammation in your sinuses too as all sinus issues ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Ignore: Don't ignore your health for caring for others, for if you are not healthy, you cannot help anyone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Pharmacist: pharmacist probably knows better than MD. You could read the PI that it came with too.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: Homeopathic medicine is considered an alternative form of medicine, just like chiropractic medicine. Just be aware that "natural" does not always mea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Need more info: Too many types of rashes to help, see an MD/dermatologist to help. Bring with photos along with the who what when where of your brother's story. How... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Unlikely: If the d dimer test is negative three times, highly unlikely to miss a clot. An ultrasound could help if you and your doctor are still debating the i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 61-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Possible: Possible, but if still with symptoms, I would revisit the situation and see an ENT as there are other causes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Ignore: If you are losing your hair, consider checking your ferritin level, should be over 50.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Yes: One beer 36 hours prior to a colonoscopy is not a problem or an issue. This should have no effect on the anesthesia. Make sure he keeps it to a bee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
See your OB: Being pregnant and dizzy makes me think you are possibly dehydrated and I would recommend you see your OB ASAP to make sure you and your baby are OK.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Confused: Are you trying to associate heartburn with getting your Depo-Provera shot late? A vaginal discharge related to a late Depo-Provera shot? Please clar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Heartburn: For you, two likely candidates. It may be your heartburn. You are on a medicine for this, but maybe it is not controlling it adequately. Look at yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Thomas Mcgowananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
Lymph nodes: What symptoms did you have or do you have that made your doctor look for those nodes in your chest? Do you have a cough, wt loss, night sweats? As a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k 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.
8
Recommendations
528
Thank you notes
Oct 21, 2014
Dr. McGowan always provides meaningful, easy to read and understand answers for patients here on HealthTap. In addition, he's a wonderful, supportive and caring person and we are all lucky to have him...Read More
Dr. Carrie Cannon
Sep 6, 2014
Dr Thomas McGowen is a caring physician who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help his patients. I recommend him highly.
Aug 28, 2014
Dr, McGowan, is a thoughtful, caring guy with a vast fund of knowledge that Healthtap can now tap!
HealthTap member
This can't involve my guardian. Look I know how old I am. I came here for answers not to be scolded like a baby I have my mother for that. I didn't think it was a big deal. Hello this isn't the mafia...Read More
HealthTap member
Ive just seen a chiropractor for the first time and discovered the curve of my neck is completely backwards. Gathering info from all around to see if chiropractor is the best route for me.
Thanks!
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you for answering. I will take your advice and see a dermatologist. My overall health is not bad- no diabetes or meds. So I'll take your advice!Thank you!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Rush Medical College, IL
MD
Awards
Top Family Physician, Third Place, Illinois - Fall
2014
Top Family Physician, First Place, Illinois - Spring
2015
Top Family Physician, First Place, Wisconsin - Fall
2015
Affiliations
American Academy of Family Physicians
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