Dr. Msonthi B. Levine

Dr. Msonthi B. Levine Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. We are currently accepting new patients.

🌼 Allergies vs. Infection: What Your Mucus Color Really MeansTeam Levine💪 — Let’s Create a Healthier YouUnderstanding mu...
11/27/2025

🌼 Allergies vs. Infection: What Your Mucus Color Really Means

Team Levine💪 — Let’s Create a Healthier You

Understanding mucus color can help you know when symptoms are harmless… and when they may be signs of something more serious. Your body gives clues—here’s what they mean 👇



🧪 Mucus Colors & What They May Mean

🔹 Clear

Healthy, normal mucus. Common with allergies, weather changes, and mild irritation.

⚪ White / Light Yellow

Often the start of a viral infection or worsening allergies. Mucus becomes thicker as inflammation increases.

🟡 Yellow or Green

Your immune system is actively fighting an infection.
The color comes from enzymes released by white blood cells.

❤️ Red / Pink / Brown

Often due to irritation, dryness, nosebleeds, or dust exposure.
Brown may indicate infection. Persistent color changes should be evaluated.

⚫ Black

Associated with smoke inhalation, dirt, or in rare cases serious fungal infection—especially if you have a weakened immune system.
Seek medical care immediately.

🚨 When to See a Doctor

Seek medical evaluation if:
• 🤒 Yellow/green mucus with fever, sinus pain, or symptoms lasting >10 days
• 💊 Symptoms don’t improve with OTC meds
• 🌬️ Persistent red or pink mucus with shortness of breath
• ⚫ Any black mucus
• 🧠 You have chronic sinus or immune conditions
• 👃 Thick congestion causing facial pain or pressure
• 🤧 Symptoms get worse instead of better

🌵 When Allergies Are the Worst in Our Area (Golden Triangle / Beaumont)

Allergies in Southeast Texas often peak due to our humid climate, pollen counts, and air quality.

🌼 Worst Allergy Seasons in Our Region

• Spring (Feb–May): Tree pollen 🌳
• Late Summer–Fall (Aug–Oct): Ragweed 🤧
• Winter (Dec–Jan): Mold spores from rain & humidity 🍃
• Year-Round: Dust mites, pet dander, and humidity-related triggers

Stay aware on high-pollen and high-humidity days—especially mornings.

🥗 Safe Foods That Help Build Immunity

Strengthen your body naturally with these healing options:

🍊 Vitamin C–Rich Foods

Oranges, lemons, strawberries, kiwis help fight inflammation.

🥬 Green Leafy Vegetables

Spinach, kale, and broccoli support immune defenses with antioxidants.

🍯 Local Honey (1 tsp/day)

May help reduce allergy symptoms over time.

🧄 Garlic & Onions

Contain immune-boosting compounds that reduce mucus thickness.

🍵 Warm Herbal Teas

Ginger, turmeric, mint, and chamomile soothe sinus irritation.

🥣 Bone Broth / Warm Soups

Increase hydration, thin mucus, and support immune recovery.

🫐 Berries & Nuts

High in antioxidants to protect cells during allergy or infection flare-ups.

📣 Community Reminder

If you ever feel unsure—don’t wait. Early evaluation can prevent complications and get you feeling better faster.

🏥 Team Levine💪 — Let’s Create a Healthier You



If you’d like, I can turn this into:
✅ a Facebook-ready post
✅ a flyer
✅ an educational card layout
Just tell me!

11/25/2025

Listen Saturday mornings at 8 as Dr. Msonthi Levine discusses medical issues and takes your calls on News Talk 560 KLVI. Dr Levine is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. His office is located at 3080 Milam in Beaumont, Texas. He can be reached at 409-347-3621.

11/25/2025

Dr. Levine answers your medical and health-related questions in the week's Ask the Doc segment.Submit your questions for Ask the Doc: askthedoc@kfdm.com or call

11/25/2025

💛 Team Leader of the Week: Miranda

Our Smiling Medical Assistant With a Heart for Patient Care!

This week, we are proud to celebrate Miranda as our “Team Leader of the Week”!
Her passion for patient care shines through every single day — from the way she greets patients with a warm smile to the way she jokes with them to ease their worries and brighten their visit. Miranda has a gift for making others feel comfortable, cared for, and genuinely supported.

Her topic this week will be educating our community on the differences between Allergies, Colds, Covid, Strep, and Flu, focusing on important questions that many patients have:

1️⃣ Do I have to go to the doctor to test for Covid or flu?
2️⃣ How do I know when it’s allergies or an infection?
3️⃣ Does colored mucus automatically mean infection?
4️⃣ When are antibiotics truly needed?
5️⃣ How can taking antibiotics too often for non-infections make them less effective when we really need them?

Stay tuned for upcoming posts from our Marketing Community Educator Ashton, who will be sharing detailed, easy-to-read educational content from Miranda throughout the week.

💛 Be sure to like, comment, and follow our page to stay up-to-date on all future postings as Team Levine💪 continues its mission of educating and uplifting our community.

Let’s Create a Healthier You.

This week’s “Team Leader of the Week” is our Medical Assistant Miranda and her topic will be educating our community on ...
11/24/2025

This week’s “Team Leader of the Week” is our Medical Assistant Miranda and her topic will be educating our community on Allergies versus Colds/Covid/Strep/Flu and focusing on the following questions.

1. Do I have to go to the doctor to test for Covid or flu?

2. How do I know when it's allergies or infection?

3. Does colored mucus mean infection?

4. When is antibiotics needed?

5. How can taking antibiotics too often for a non infection become non effective when needed?

Stay tuned for upcoming posts from our Marketing Community Educator Ashton regarding Miranda’s topic and be sure to like, comment, and follow our page to stay up-to-date on all future postings.

11/20/2025

Dr. Levine answers your medical and health-related questions in the week's Ask the Doc segment.Submit your questions for Ask the Doc: askthedoc@kfdm.com or call

🦋 Community Health Alert: Understanding Thyroid DiseaseTeam Levine — “Let’s Create a Healthier You!”Your thyroid is a sm...
11/18/2025

🦋 Community Health Alert: Understanding Thyroid Disease

Team Levine — “Let’s Create a Healthier You!”

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck — but don’t let its size fool you. It controls metabolism, energy, mood, heart rate, digestion, and brain function. When the thyroid produces too much or too little hormone, the entire body feels the effects.

🔥 MOST IMPORTANT: What Is Thyroid Disease?

Thyroid disease refers to any condition that prevents the thyroid gland from making the right amount of hormones needed for your body to function.

The Two Main Types:

🧊 1. Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

➡️ The thyroid does not make enough hormones
➡️ Metabolism slows down

🔥 2. Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

➡️ The thyroid makes too much hormone
➡️ Metabolism speeds up

⚠️ Major Warning Signs From Your Body

If your body is sending these signals, it may be urging you to get checked:

🧊 Hypothyroidism Warning Signs:
• 😴 Extreme fatigue
• ⚖️ Unexplained weight gain
• ❄️ Feeling cold more than others
• 🧠 Memory fog or slowed thinking
• 💇‍♀️ Dry skin, brittle hair
• ❤️ Slowed heart rate
• 😞 Depression or low mood

🔥 Hyperthyroidism Warning Signs:
• ⚡ Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• 😰 Anxiety, nervousness, irritability
• 🌡️ Heat intolerance or increased sweating
• 🔥 Unexplained weight loss
• 😴 Trouble sleeping
• 🤲 Shaky or trembling hands

📌 Other Thyroid-Related Conditions
• 🦋 Goiter – enlarged thyroid
• 🔹 Thyroid nodules – lumps in the gland
• 🎗️ Thyroid cancer – less common but important to monitor

🩺 What Causes Thyroid Disease?

⭐ Most Common Causes:
• 🛡️ Hashimoto’s disease → leads to hypothyroidism
• 🔥 Graves’ disease → leads to hyperthyroidism

Other Causes:
• 🧬 Family history
• 💊 Certain medications
• 🧂 Iodine deficiency
• 🔥 Thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis)

💊 How Thyroid Disease Is Treated

Most thyroid conditions are highly manageable with medical care.

Top Treatment Options:
• 💊 Daily medication to balance hormone levels
• ☢️ Radioactive iodine therapy (for hyperthyroidism)
• 🏥 Surgery (thyroidectomy) in certain cases
• 🔬 Routine labs to monitor TSH and hormones

A healthcare provider will diagnose thyroid disease using:
• 🧪 TSH blood test
• 🧬 Free T4 / Free T3 labs
• ✋ Physical exam of the neck
• 🖥️ Ultrasound if needed

🧠 Why Early Detection Matters

Ignoring thyroid symptoms can lead to:
• ❤️ Heart rhythm problems
• 🫁 Breathing issues
• 🧠 Mental health changes
• 🤰 Pregnancy complications
• 🦴 Bone loss
• ⚠️ Severe metabolic imbalance

The sooner thyroid disease is identified, the easier it is to treat.

🌿 Team Levine Tips: Protect Your Thyroid Health
• 🔎 Listen to your body’s signals — don’t ignore chronic fatigue or mood changes
• 🥗 Eat a balanced diet with iodine-rich foods (unless restricted by your provider)
• 💧 Stay hydrated
• 👩‍⚕️ Keep regular checkups and annual labs
• 🧬 Know your family history
• ❤️ Seek medical care early if symptoms appear!

🦋 Team Levine💪

“Let’s Create a Healthier You!”
Committed to educating and protecting our community — one post at a time.

📢 Help Raise Awareness!

Like, Share, & Follow Team Levine💪 to help others recognize symptoms early.

🧠🦋 Thyroid Health 101: Hypothyroid vs. HyperthyroidTeam Levine💪 — “Let’s Create a Healthier You!”Spotlighting Krystal fo...
11/18/2025

🧠🦋 Thyroid Health 101: Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid

Team Levine💪 — “Let’s Create a Healthier You!”

Spotlighting Krystal for doing a fabulous job educating our community this week!

🔺 MOST IMPORTANT: Understanding the Difference

Your thyroid controls your metabolism, energy, temperature, heartbeat, and body weight.
When it’s out of balance, your entire body feels it.

🔥 Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

Your thyroid makes too much hormone — everything speeds up.

Symptoms

⚡ Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
⚡ Anxiety, nervousness, irritability
⚡ Weight loss despite normal eating
⚡ Heat intolerance / sweating
⚡ Tremors
⚡ Diarrhea / frequent stools
⚡ Trouble sleeping
⚡ Feeling like your “body is in overdrive”

Causes

🔹 Graves’ disease (autoimmune)
🔹 Thyroid nodules making too much hormone
🔹 Medication-related thyroiditis
🔹 Too much iodine

Treatment

💠 Medication to slow hormone production
💠 Radioactive iodine (to shrink thyroid activity)
💠 Surgery in rare cases
💠 Treat underlying autoimmune condition

❄️ Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

Your thyroid does not make enough hormone — everything slows down.

Symptoms

🐌 Fatigue, heavy tiredness
🐌 Weight gain even with healthy eating
🐌 Feeling cold all the time
🐌 Hair loss / thinning eyebrows
🐌 Constipation
🐌 Depression or “foggy brain”
🐌 Dry skin
🐌 Slow heart rate

Causes

🔹 Hashimoto’s (autoimmune)
🔹 Prior thyroid surgery
🔹 Medication effects
🔹 Iodine deficiency
🔹 Aging

Treatment

💠 Daily thyroid hormone replacement (very safe & effective)
💠 Routine labs every 3–6 months
💠 Adjustments based on weight, pregnancy, age & symptoms

🔍 How Do I Know Which One I Have?

Your body will tell you, and so will simple labs:

What Your Body Signals

🟨 If everything feels fast → think HYPER
🟦 If everything feels slow → think HYPO

Medical Testing

🧪 TSH level
🧪 Free T4 and T3
🧪 Thyroid antibodies (to check autoimmune cause)
🧪 Ultrasound if nodules are suspected

Testing is fast, affordable, and extremely accurate


⚠️ MOST CRITICAL SECTION: What Happens If You Ignore It?

Untreated Hyperthyroidism Can Lead To:

❗ Heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation)
❗ Severe weight loss & muscle wasting
❗ High blood pressure
❗ Thyroid storm — a medical emergency
❗ Bone loss & fractures

Untreated Hypothyroidism Can Lead To:

❗ Heart failure
❗ High cholesterol
❗ Infertility & pregnancy complications
❗ Severe depression
❗ Myxedema coma — life-threatening

Your thyroid is NOT optional. It controls too much to go untreated.

🌿 Are There Alternatives If I Don’t Want Medication?

You can support thyroid health naturally, but these do NOT replace medical treatment if you truly have a thyroid disorder.

Helpful Lifestyle Supports

🍎 Adequate iodine (not excessive)
💧 Stay hydrated
🏋️‍♀️ Light daily activity
😌 Stress management
🥦 Anti-inflammatory foods (greens, berries, lean proteins)
😴 7–9 hours deep sleep

But…

⚠️ If labs show true hypo- or hyperthyroidism, natural remedies will NOT fix the hormonal imbalance.
⚠️ Medication is often essential and life-preserving.

💛 Team Levine💪 Tip (Least Concerning but Very Helpful)

Keep a small health journal:
📝 Track your energy
📝 Weight changes
📝 Heart rate
📝 Mood changes
📝 Sleep patterns

These patterns help your provider catch thyroid issues early.

📣 Proud of You, Krystal!

Thank you for educating our community on thyroid disease with compassion and dedication.
Your heart for helping others truly shines! 💛

’sCreateAHealthierYou

11/18/2025

🧠💛 Thyroid Disease Awareness: Can You Get It Without Family History?

Team Levine💪 is committed to educating our community — from the most important health topics to the smallest everyday questions — so YOU can “Create a Healthier You!”

🌟 Can You Develop Thyroid Disease Without Family History?

YES. While family history increases your risk, many people develop thyroid disease with no genetic link at all.

Common Non-Genetic Causes

🔸 Autoimmune conditions (your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid)
🔸 Stressful life events
🔸 Pregnancy & postpartum hormonal changes
🔸 Chronic medical conditions
🔸 Exposure to certain medications
🔸 Radiation exposure
🔸 Nutrient deficiencies (especially iodine)

🚗 Is Thyroid Disease Related to Car Accidents?

Not directly — but major physical trauma or severe stress from an accident can “trigger” thyroid imbalance in someone who is genetically or hormonally predisposed.

Trauma can cause:
• 🟡 Temporary thyroid inflammation
• 🟡 Shifts in hormone production
• 🟡 Stress-related thyroid dysfunction

It does not cause thyroid disease, but it can uncover or worsen an existing thyroid tendency.

💊 Can Over-medicating Cause Thyroid Problems?

Yes — medication misuse can affect the thyroid, especially:

⚠️ Too much iodine
⚠️ Excess thyroid medication
⚠️ Certain heart medications (amiodarone)
⚠️ High-dose steroids
⚠️ Lithium

These can lead to:
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Medication-induced thyroiditis

Always take medication exactly as prescribed. Never adjust your dose without medical advice.

🌡️ Symptoms to Watch For

🔥 Hyperthyroidism
• Anxiety or jitteriness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Unexplained weight loss
• Heat intolerance

❄️ Hypothyroidism
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Feeling cold
• Depression
• Hair thinning

🩺 What You Can Do

✔️ Get annual labs
✔️ Know your symptoms
✔️ Avoid self-medicating
✔️ Share your full medical history
✔️ Seek care early — thyroid issues are highly treatable

💛 Team Levine Tip

You do NOT need a family history to take your thyroid health seriously.
If something feels “off,” listen to your body — early detection is powerful.

💛

This week’s “Team Leader of the Week” is our Front Desk Specialist Krystal and her topic will be educating our community...
11/17/2025

This week’s “Team Leader of the Week” is our Front Desk Specialist Krystal and her topic will be educating our community on Thyroid Disease and focusing on the following questions.

1. What is Thyroid Disease?

2. What are the symptoms of Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism?

3. Is Thyroid Disease hereditary?

4. How can Thyroid Disease be checked and monitored?

5. What can happen to your Thyroid if left untreated?

Stay tuned for upcoming posts from our Marketing Community Educator Ashton regarding Krystal’s topic and be sure to like, comment, and follow our page to stay up-to-date on all future postings.

11/13/2025

Listen Saturday mornings at 8 as Dr. Msonthi Levine discusses medical issues and takes your calls on News Talk 560 KLVI. Dr Levine is board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. His office is located at 3080 Milam in Beaumont, Texas. He can be reached at 409-347-3621.

11/13/2025

Dr. Levine answers your medical and health-related questions in the week's Ask the Doc segment.Submit your questions for Ask the Doc: askthedoc@kfdm.com or call

Address

3080 Milam, Beaumont TX 77701
Beaumont, TX
77701

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

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