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Original poster

My partner has turned yellow and I am scared

693 replies

bloodywhitecat · 29/06/2020 13:53

Over the last couple of weeks his skin and eye whites have turned yellow, he also has dark urine which has not improved despite upping his fluid intake by at least an extra 2 litres a day, he is more tired than usual too. I don't want to scare myself witless and Google. He has called the GP and is having blood tests tonight.

OP posts:
RoyalCorgi · 29/06/2020 14:35

How can it be wise not to google, but sensible to put it on MN where a lot of people will tell the OP what they think it is?

Lunde · 29/06/2020 14:37

This has happened to me. In fact I went beyond yellow to a burnt orange colour with the severe jaundice. There are many different causes of these symptoms so hopefully the blood tests will give them clues.

In my case it started with pregnancy gallstones (these can also cause jaundice). The attacks were very severe and I was prescribed anti-inflammatories including Voltarol ... unfortunately it turns out that I have an allergy to voltarol and it caused a massive liver inflammation. The treatment was 2½ months of taking medication that ressembled wallpaper paste to bind and remove the excess bilirubin. I have been fine in the 24 years since but cannot take any NSAIDs.

SummerDayWinterEvenings · 29/06/2020 14:38

I would strongly suggest ensuring he sees that GP at 5pm. I really would. It sounds like liver failure which could be any one of a number of things. Saying you have dark urine -means dehydration but coupled with yellow eyes -I'd go for Liver Disease. BUT this has many causes.

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PurpleHaze101 · 29/06/2020 14:42

as another poster has said, he could be contagious with a form of hepatitis

he should not be at work if he's jaundiced

can you tell him to come home? whatever he has it will be something that needs treatment/rest and he should come home before he has the blood test and not be out and about!

gavisconismyfriend · 29/06/2020 14:43

@RoyalCorgi, I assumed OP was posting for support and a handhold, not a diagnosis. She won’t get that from google, but might get it from MN.

480Widdio · 29/06/2020 14:44

Don’t panic,the liver is a clever organ and good at healing itself.

Wait for results of blood tests and go from there.Sounds as if the GP is happy to do this.

Soonbechrimbo · 29/06/2020 14:44

He needs to go to A±E OP xxx

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/06/2020 14:47

I agree with above. Direct to A&E. The prognosis for my grandmother after she turned yellow was bad, but she was a heavy drinker.

Itsjustabitofbanter · 29/06/2020 14:49

@RoyalCorgi she wasn’t asking for a diagnoses. I think everyone’s been supportive and helpful

IStandByJKR · 29/06/2020 14:53

Saying you have dark urine -means dehydration but coupled with yellow eyes -I'd go for Liver Disease. BUT this has many causes

My partner had dark urine - from blood present in the urine because when liver ducts get blocked, shit can go sideways in the bladder too. Misdiagnosed in hospital as a UTI, then meningitis, then finally liver malfunction then (X) condition (not posting for own anonymity reasons but symptoms very similar to OP's partner so OP you're welcome to PM if you would like to. She's much better now but it was a long old healing journey.

I would urge medical attention quickly for this - but if the doctor has been told all symptoms properly, staying at home apart from blood tests may well be the best place to be.

Alsohuman · 29/06/2020 14:58

He’s at work? Seriously?

ProperVexed · 29/06/2020 15:07

DS22 went very yellow and unwell last December. He was admitted to hospital and eventually diagnosed with glandular fever. Many years ago I went yellow due to gallstones causing pancreatitis. Good thing he is having blood tests.

OldLace · 29/06/2020 15:12

He sounds unwell and might get wobbly / not be thinking clearly.

Can you meet him at work now / when he finishes and accompany him to blood tests?

BoreOfWhabylon · 29/06/2020 15:14

I'm afraid there's a lot of misinformation on this thread.

OP, your partner has jaundice. It's just a symptom, like 'pale' or 'feverish'. It can be due to a variety of causes, some involving the liver and some not. Some are very serious, others not.

It's caused by too much bilirubin in the blood. This causes the yellow skin/eyes and the dark urine.

The absolute first investigation is blood tests to look at how much bilirubin is in the blood, what type of bilirubin it is (different types give clue to cause) and also tests of liver function. The result of these tests will help point to the possible cause and whether any further investigations are necessary

Be guided by your GP, who is clearly arranging the urgent tests and will take it from there.

iften · 29/06/2020 15:15

This exact thing happened to me, I was being fast tracked for gall bladder removal, when the pain stopped and I turned yellow, eyes, scalp, the lot. My bile duct had blocked, causing jaundice, terrible itching from the bilirubin under the skin and very dark urine. I carried on working because it didn't actually hurt any more even though I looked weird.

Gall bladder removed, no problems since.

DivGirl · 29/06/2020 15:17

DH is currently very yellow with very yellow eyes and very dark urine, in his case we know the diagnosis and he is nearing the end. He's had liver issues for a number of years and we've been through the whole process including transplant already.

Don't go straight to A&E, if the GP is concerned they'll send him at 5. The only thing he's likely to die of as suddenly as in the next couple of hours is burst varices, so any vomiting blood or dark tarry stools go to A&E (but really that goes without saying). Likewise if he develops confusion, extreme drowsiness, or a fever. Otherwise just hold out for the GP.

I hope it's something easily remedied - the liver is an incredible organ.

DivGirl · 29/06/2020 15:18

@DivGirl

DH is currently very yellow with very yellow eyes and very dark urine, in his case we know the diagnosis and he is nearing the end. He's had liver issues for a number of years and we've been through the whole process including transplant already.

Don't go straight to A&E, if the GP is concerned they'll send him at 5. The only thing he's likely to die of as suddenly as in the next couple of hours is burst varices, so any vomiting blood or dark tarry stools go to A&E (but really that goes without saying). Likewise if he develops confusion, extreme drowsiness, or a fever. Otherwise just hold out for the GP.

I hope it's something easily remedied - the liver is an incredible organ.

To be clear - it's not likely that he'll have burst varices in the next few hours. I worded that badly. I meant that that's the only thing that's unlikely to wait until 5 if it were to happen.
blardiblabla · 29/06/2020 15:28

OP, that is jaundice caused by too much bilirubin in the blood, my instinct is it would be liver related but I'm not a doctor. It's good you have arranged bloods but tbh I would bypass the GP and go straight to hospital for a full assessment. Wherever he gets them done, just double check they are running full liver function tests, particularly bilirubin (and makes sure they do the split bili test), full blood count and u's & e's. It sounds obvious, but my DS has had a liver transplant as a baby and he's been in hospital before with sepsis and they've forgotten to check his liver function Hmm. You're right that Google is not your friend right now, and as PP's have said the liver (if it is liver related) is a very clever organ that can regenerate if any potential damage is caught in good time, so try not to panic but make sure he is thoroughly assessed as soon as is possible. Keeping everything crossed for you, please update us.

WendyHoused · 29/06/2020 15:36

Hope it's all resolved soon, OP. I know it feels scary when you're waiting for information. Deep breaths and a cuppa!

mrpumblechook · 29/06/2020 15:44

It is jaundice as others have said most likely to be related to liver dysfuncion. It could be caused by a variety of things. The GP will get to the bottom of it when he sees him tonight.

mrpumblechook · 29/06/2020 15:46

Wherever he gets them done, just double check they are running full liver function tests, particularly bilirubin (and makes sure they do the split bili test), full blood count and u's & e's. It sounds obvious, but my DS has had a liver transplant as a baby and he's been in hospital before with sepsis and they've forgotten to check his liver function hmm.

They won't forget to do liver functions tests if he is yellow!

lotusbell · 29/06/2020 15:49

Not to scare you but please get them.to check for pancreatic cancer. My mum's main symptom of this was jaundice and very dark urine. Got everything crossed for him.that whatever it is can be treated quickly.

Chimpfield · 29/06/2020 15:50

I'd be getting him to A & E

RB68 · 29/06/2020 15:54

you would still have to wait for bloods in a and e so GP doing right thing - as soon as results in they will sort him. I had this in pregnancy due to stuck gallstone - but without any other pains in back or high under ribs seems unlikely so another hr to go...

CorianderLord · 29/06/2020 15:56

Sounds like jaundice?