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I don't understand this... (blood tests)
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jenniewb
Posts: 12,842 Forumite


I don't know if anyone here will know more or be able to point me in the right direction to find out more...I have odd blood test results and I don't understand them.
I already have a diagnosis- I know (or think I know) why I have the issues that I do, I don't need to know what a diagnosis could be, I just want to know what the tests mean.
I tried emailing NHS direct who emailed me back with the same automated email I get whatever I ask (eg if I ask where my nearest walk-in centre is, I get the same automated reply about not giving diagnosis by email). I can't get a word out of them. I tried calling but there is a 10 hour waiting time, I'm unlikely to catch their call in 10 hours time.
I tried to get a GPs appointment but they are busy, they can call back but it only seems to be when I am not at home...
I tried google-ing but nothing made any sense, just said the problems were caused by things that I do not do and have nothing to do with me.
Anyone else have any ideas? I would post the results here but not sure if I am allowed to!
I already have a diagnosis- I know (or think I know) why I have the issues that I do, I don't need to know what a diagnosis could be, I just want to know what the tests mean.
I tried emailing NHS direct who emailed me back with the same automated email I get whatever I ask (eg if I ask where my nearest walk-in centre is, I get the same automated reply about not giving diagnosis by email). I can't get a word out of them. I tried calling but there is a 10 hour waiting time, I'm unlikely to catch their call in 10 hours time.
I tried to get a GPs appointment but they are busy, they can call back but it only seems to be when I am not at home...
I tried google-ing but nothing made any sense, just said the problems were caused by things that I do not do and have nothing to do with me.
Anyone else have any ideas? I would post the results here but not sure if I am allowed to!
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If its understanding the symbols e.g which part tells you how much iron is in your bloodand help reading the raw data you could try your pharmacist , or a nurse, or a vet, someone who works in a lab might also be able to help.
When I had Blood test dones for my horse my mother was able to explain it when the vet sent it through as she did a biology degree years ago so she was able to read the language it was in .. If you like ..
The vet gave me the diagnosis of course but didn't explain what each component of the report actually meant in English.
So I imagine any professional with a science background could help read the data ..but only a doctor will give you a diagnosis ..0 -
could there be a forum etc for the condition ? For example I belong to the Diabetes UK forum and they have info sections and of course I can ask on the forum.0
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The condition is quite a huge one and whilst there may well be forums, most are about the emotional side rather then the physical-and heavily moderated so any physical stuff isn't spoken about! Its more of a mental health condition which has knock on effects with my body and so my blood test results.
I don't have the results in front of me but I do remember what was said and the numbers. Its a bit odd because the condition isn't as a result of the bloods, the results are as a result of the condition. I just want to know what it means: what symptoms I can blame on it if you like so I can have a better understanding of them.
I could try asking a medical question but I know it wont even be allowed on the forums let alone being discussed. If I post anything it basicly wont appear as every post goes through a moderator before it is posted online.0 -
Pop into your local walk-in centre and ask the nurse practitioner
(NHS website can tell you where it is)
HBS x"I believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another."
"It's easy to know what you're against, quite another to know what you're for."
#Bremainer0 -
Blood test results alone are not necessarily meaningful without the rest of your medical history, you really need to make an appointment with your GP to get the results interpreted.Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0
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Thanks.
I did call NHS direct and they got back to me and suggested I go to a walk-in-centre. I was (am) a but ambivalent about doing that as I don't have the results on a bit of paper, I just recall the numbers and details the specialist told me.
I've been to the walk-in centres before but it's always when I look and feel like death warmed up due to some sort of illness or similar so going just to ask a question feels a bit like I'm taking up time that could be better spent with someone else. Same with the GPs appointment: that is if I ever manage to get an appointment which is as you all must know, not so easy.
I did try google (last resort and curiosity got the better of me) still makes no sense- too confusing to even make me worry! I have my next specialist appointment at the end of the month and I have had to have more tests since as these are now a month old and things have gotten worse so I suppose at a last resort I can ask a whole list of questions then- but it just feels a bit far away at the moment.0 -
Don't worry about taking up time you are JUST as important as anyone else, you pay and have paid taxes too, as you say end of the month is long way away if you are stressed/ anxious/ worried. The whole point of the NHS is it is based on clinical need not shared out neatly and equally, your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical health according to the World Health Organisation definition. ((hugs))Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️0
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Just out of interest - is a thyroid thing??
I was tested for it and although me Dr said there as no issue when I googled it confused the hell out of my different sites said there was a real issue others said it borderline and I really couldn't understand what meant what!
If I am honest a year later and I still don't. Dr was no help at all!0 -
Just out of interest - is a thyroid thing??
I was tested for it and although me Dr said there as no issue when I googled it confused the hell out of my different sites said there was a real issue others said it borderline and I really couldn't understand what meant what!
If I am honest a year later and I still don't. Dr was no help at all!
Thyroid conditions are strange: results can be within normal ranges but there still be a problem. In part that's because you need to look at multiple test results together and both can be normal but they can be giving signals that there's a problem.
Use height and weight as a comparable example.
Normal height for an adult man is somewhere between 5'5" and 6'2"; normal weight somewhere between 120 and 200 pounds.
So a man who was 6'2" tall and weighing 120 pounds would be 'normal' on both height and weight scales but would be the combination of both would be a cause for concern.
With thyroid conditions you need to look at the TSH level (the level of the hormone that's shouting faster or slower to the thyroid gland) and the level of thyroxin in the blood which is what gives the body it's get up and go.
If the thryoxin (typically T4) is low and the TSH is high but both are within the normal range that means there could be a problem. It suggests that the body is sensing that there's not enough fuel (T4) and is sending out louder and louder messages to the thyroid to do something about it. If the thyroid is failing then it may not be able to do anything.
In that scenario a person would feel increasingly under the weather but it could take some time, possibly years, before either tests fell outside 'normal' range.
Does that help at all?
Mands0 -
Just out of interest - is a thyroid thing??
I was tested for it and although me Dr said there as no issue when I googled it confused the hell out of my different sites said there was a real issue others said it borderline and I really couldn't understand what meant what!
If I am honest a year later and I still don't. Dr was no help at all!
Not a thyroid thing- thyroid functions are normal, its the white and red blood cells which are dodgy! Even my mineral count is more or less OK- I'd have understood any of that going wrong but the actual cells themselves...confused!0
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