My partner has turned yellow and I am scared

[bloodywhitecat]

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.

I think there are quite a few registered health workers on mn.

Yes apologies @CallmeAngelina I hadn't noticed that bit. I must admit with my partner's experience I would get to a&e too.

I suppose the OP could, if H is really still resisting, at least ring GP back and discuss her concerns over urgency with them? Or if GP has gone home by now, she could ring 111 to see if they suggest waiting or a&e?

From my experience of worrying blood test results, the gp will phone before Thursday if something needs to be done immediately. I hope it's something easily fixed OP

I’d ring tomorrow for results. In the morning.

When I worked in ED I saw patients who were sent in on the basis of their GP bloods (usually low Hb though and anaemia). If you don’t get a call tonight chase in the morning.

He needs to be seen in hospital.

I would definitely be calling 111 as a minimum, and probably going to A&E.

Being that yellow and having dark urine is a sign the liver is in major trouble.

Has he been feeling tired or losing weight without trying?
Hopefully will be something easily sorted

Another vote for A&E. I had jaundice many years ago caused by blockage in bile duct. My GP wanted me to go to hospital but I wouldn’t because it was almost Christmas. I ended up having to go to A&E when I suddenly started to have unbearable pain. The triage nurse just looked at me and said she was sending me through to majors.

Better to go now than wait and things get worse

I don’t think a and e is appropriate. He’s not in pain or having signs of infective illness. I do think though that he should phone the GP daily to get the results back. He needs referral ASAP.

Hepatitis (infective) and you are pretty sick, so I think it’s probably obstructive jaundice. As such it needs an urgent surgical review. The GP will arrange this but don’t leave it beyond this week without chasing it up.

Is he being honest with you about what the GP has said? I would be wondering if he is trying to ignore the symptoms out of worry or trying not to worry you?

Surely he shouldn't be going to work until the tests come back if he really is yellow. I would try and convince him to go to A&E.

the gp has seen him.
taken blood.
probably felt the stomach.
111 will not do any more unless he starts feeling unwell.

A couple of years ago I had a blood test at my doctors at 5pm and by 7.30pm an out of hours doctor phoned me and asked me to go to hospital first thing in the morning for a blood transfusion. Then my GP phoned me at 7.30am to tell me the same thing.

If something dangerous shows up in his blood results he will be contacted straight away.

@Lunde

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.

Was it cholestyramine powder you took for treatment? I had that stuff for almost 5 years, disgusting stuff.

This is what happened to me when taking voltarol with atenalol. It caused bile salt malabsorbtion (spelling is wrong sorry) which caused liver enzymes problems, that I never really understood and awful swollen joints.

OP I hope your husband has something easily treated, best wishes.

Fingers crossed for a swift explanation OP. I knew someone who had this, turned out to be a broad bean allergy of all things!

I have autoimmune hepatitis had it since young child nothing whatsoever to do with alcohol

I was diagnosed with this along with an auto-immune arthritis a while back - I almost never tell anyone because people assume it's infectious or are convinced it's alcohol or drug-related.

My brother was like this and it was kidney problems. I'm glad he's seeing a doctor.

A&E.
It could be a blocked pancreatic duct, OP.

I'll just add, this is what happened to my brother, OP. He went to A&E and was diagnosed then and there.
Don't leave it. Please tell your DH that he must go to A&E.

This happened to my friend , it was hepatitis A picked up on holiday. He was completely yellow within a few days. His colour went back to normal fairly quickly, but he but was tired for a while (and he couldn’t drink alcohol for six months).

I don’t think a and e is appropriate. He’s not in pain or having signs of infective illness. I do think though that he should phone the GP daily to get the results back. He needs referral ASAP.

My brother had no pain or signs of infective illness. But he did have the same symptoms and went to A&E. If he hadn't gone, his life would have been in immediate danger.

Nonsense - even my big stand annual health check results are back within 48 hours

Never had an NHS GP blood test come back within 48 hours.

Generally they take at least a few days, and sometimes up to a week.

We now have a time frame of Thurs. Which is not 48 hours.

3 consultants say go to A&E on this thread.

Personally, I’d follow their advice and not some dumbcluck GP.

I work in a GP Surgery. Most of our blood test results are back within 24 hours, although this doesn’t mean the GP will see them straight away. The reason for this is that if the results are deemed an emergency the hospital will either ring them through to us during surgery hours, or the out of hours service will contact the patient directly and get them admitted as a matter of urgency. This is a rural area. Other places may be different.

He certainly shouldn't be going to work , he should at least rest and be prepared to go to A&E if anything changes and he feels worse .I would keep a bag packed ready and don't hesitate to go straight to A&E if you are concerned .

Your partner will get the results back long before Thursday if there is a problem that needs urgent attention. Only take to AE if his conscious level deteriorates,he develops abdominal pain or distension or a high temperature. His GP is taking the right course of action .

Did the GP actually see him or was it phone advice and a technician taking blood?