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Any Doctors or people good at reading blood test results?

94 replies

Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 01/10/2023 11:21

Had blood tests, my follow up appointment isn’t until mid November, tried Googling, can anyone help at all? Testing due to constant kidney stones and tiredness

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kittensinthekitchen · 01/10/2023 15:16

They removed (or broke up) the one in my bladder. IIRC - it was over a decade ago - it was 5cm+, and I suspect related to ongoing incontinence issues Sad They also blasted a few in my kidneys, but said there were "lots" of tiny ones remaining that might not cause any further issues. I've not had any major problems since, tbh. I do get niggles and have had the odd kidney infection, but nothing major in comparison to the six months of hell that was!
I was never given any advice or information as to what might have caused it, no.

HeartScare · 01/10/2023 15:17

@Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease Not a medic or expert, and changing the subject a bit, but when I was slightly anaemic (low haemoglobin like you) I felt like death. I was not far under the normal range and had no idea how awful it can make you feel! I was given ferrous sulphate tablets and felt a difference in under a week. Worth a try? Might well take the edge of the exhaustion.

Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 01/10/2023 15:27

@HeartScare Yes, I think my results look low don’t they? I can imagine them maybe dismissing it though as they aren’t hugely out, but I think somethings wrong, that combined with the stones etc. It really is exhausting

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Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 01/10/2023 15:28

@kittensinthekitchen Strange isn’t it, hoping you don’t get them again, really is hell isn’t it

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Lemon23 · 01/10/2023 16:36

When you see your doctor in November, ask what type of stones you have and what treatment is available as I think it's terrible you've been having this problem for so long without any treatment or advice.

I hope you get answers and it's something easily enough treated. Fingers crossed it's something fairly simple like having to take iron to correct anemia and getting the stones sorted. Hope you feel better soon, I've been stuck indoors all day as well due to ongoing health issues, so I know how you feel about missing out on a beautiful, sunny Sunday.

Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 01/10/2023 16:46

@Lemon23 Thank you so much 💜So sorry it’s the same for you, it’s hard not to let it bring you down isn’t it when it’s never ending

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Redmat · 01/10/2023 19:07

I was a "stonemaker" . Agonising.
Several years of tests, 24 hr urine counts, scans etc. I was eventually operated on for hyperparathydroism.
I was offered the monitoring and regular checks with a kidney specialist after my second kidney stone attack. Sounds like this is what you should be having.
All is fine now.
Hope it turns out well for you.

Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 01/10/2023 20:21

@Redmat So sorry you went through it too, awful isn’t it. As crazy as it sounds, I want them to find something, something that can be fixed. I also had the scans, 24 hr urine test etc years ago and was told that some people just make stones and to drink more..that and slightly low magnesium. How did they eventually find out it was that and what was the treatment? Have you been completely well since?

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IntoDeepBlueSea · 01/10/2023 22:37

I think you need to reframe the way you value yourself, and your health.

My perception, from what you've said, is that your could theoretically afford a private appt. This is more important than Christmas.

Short term, If you end up spending Christmas day in bed you'll be no use to anyone. Long term, if it is hyperparathyroidism, you could end up with some significant health events which can be life altering.

(Btw magnesium levels are also related to parathyroid.)

I think if you had anaemia, that would've shown up at some point in the past few years. You can, at a very basic level, see if your gums, and inside lower eyelids, look relatively paler than you'd expect. Or compare to a family member of similar colouring.

If it was "just" about what you're eating, you would not be permanently exhausted.

If you find the website I suggested too overwhelming, you could ask the doctor if they think it would be sensible to check the following:

Full Blood Count (FBC)
UEC (Kidney function tests)
LFT (Liver function tests)
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - looks at things that affect fluids, sodium, kidneys etc)
Ionised Calcium
Corrected Calcium
PTH (Parathyroid marker)
Vit D
Iron Studies
Thyroid panel (TSH, fT3, fT4, thyroid antibodies)

If you've also been putting on weight at a rapid pace, they should check cholesterol etc, and HbA1c, which gives a long term view of your blood sugar levels. Cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure can also be raised (sometimes dramatically). With HPT.

If you do end up having any markets that indicate a mineral or hyperparathyroidism issue, they should order a dexascan (bone density scan, cheap and quick), and ultimately a sestamibi nuclear imaging scan (expensive, complicated, only shows up 70% of parathyroid tumours). Before you get to the scans though, you need a seriously good parathyroid/thyroid surgeon. Someone who does many a year. Not a general surgeon, not an ENT surgeon, and definitely not an endocrinologist. Whether you're paying or not, an endocrinologist is a waste of time and money at that point. They will act purely as a gatekeeper, to accessing the surgeon, which either they'll be happy to do, in which case your GP could've done that, or they'll want to check on you over a few months, which means more tests more waiting (and possibly more money if you're seeing them privately). The ONLY solution to primary hyperparathyroidism is surgery. Anything else is faffing.

BUT. PLEASE don't go off and order all these yourself. I hesitated in listing them because you may want to do that, but seriously, save your money for the doctor visit. I'm not saying don't spend money, I'm saying spend it where it counts. I've no idea how your system works. It maybe that you should order all of these, rock up to your GP with the results, and if they indicate a parathyroid problem say "please refer me to this parathyroid surgeon".

But what if they don't indicate parathyroid?
What if the GP wants to do them again?
How much would that many tests costs?
Are the private tests done in the same land as the public tests?
Are they following the same best practice as the labs your doctor would use?

I'm trying to balance arming you with the correct information, and giving you carte blanche. Having read the pp though, she's right, you're an adult, and ultimately it's your life and health.

Lizzieregina · 01/10/2023 22:41

@Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease I’m definitely not a doctor and can’t interpret your blood work, but my niece was having similar problems, fatigue, constant kidney stones etc and it was her parathyroid gland. She just had it out a few days ago.

Hope you find out soon and get some relief.

Redmat · 01/10/2023 23:09

It was over 20 years ago for me and I find it hard to remember the sequence of events now. I was a regular at the kidney clinic and eventually I had one of the "nuclear" scans. I do remember it being brought in in a special box and not being able to hold my newborn nephew for a while because of its effects!
It was from those images they decided to operate. For me the op was really simple and over and done with quickly. No stones since and much better general health.
Years of calcium being leached from my bones means I have osteoporosis but that's OK.
The NHS sorted me out fairly quickly ( took about 2 years I think) and they seemed to know what they were looking for from the start.
I know not all kidney stones are caused by hyperparathydroism but apart from the stones there are all the other symptoms some of which seem to match yours. I was put on beta blockers for a while as I was in such a state. I was about the same age as you are now. Don't know if that's significant!
I hope you get an answer.

Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 02/10/2023 10:25

@IntoDeepBlueSea Youre right, but with a 5 year old and Christmas coming up, that’s the priority.

I can either wait for my family Dr (mid November) and get all the blood tests etc for free or go private now. Just such a shame it’s such a longer process

Do you know if low magnesium is associated with parathyroid?

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Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 02/10/2023 10:26

@Redmat Thank you for your feedback, what were you on beta blockers for? Anxiety?

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Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 02/10/2023 10:27

@Lizzieregina It seems to be coming up a lot, I’d just love for a solution to it all

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Redmat · 02/10/2023 10:42

Ye beta blockers were for anxiety really I think from all the weird symptoms I was getting. It was that trip to the doctors where she took loads of bloods ,admitted she was concerned about me that really kicked off all the tests etc. She rang to say my calcium levels were high I remember. Coupled with the episodes of kidney stones it all started adding up.

Redmat · 02/10/2023 10:51

I just remembered my doctor said they called hyperparathydroism
Bones ,stones and groans.
(Your bones hurt , you get kidney stones and you feel horribly tired and depressed)

Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease · 02/10/2023 11:02

@Redmat Where did you ache?

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Redmat · 02/10/2023 11:32

All over I think!
I particularly remember back and hips and my neck.
Now my bone density tests always pick up how low density my pelvis is.
But I am fine now.

Pastryapronsucks · 04/02/2024 17:01

I know this is an oldish thread, but I would love to know how you are getting on @Wherecanigetsomeenergyfromplease

I have similar symptoms, in particular the brain and body sapping fatigue, and have found myself scouring the Internet looking for answers and considering various blood tests and miracle supplements.

It's ridiculous but I WANT something to be wrong with me so that I can do something to feel better.

So far I have been diagnosed with perimenopause, depression, anxiety, kidney stones (had ultra sound, now awaiting a stone clinic app), GERD and hiatus hernia. I am also awaiting a referral to a rheumatologist and the bladder clinic for dynamic bladder assessment.

My whole life I have been fit and healthy. I don't smoke. I only drink very moderately and exercise regularly. It feels like I hit 50 and am now falling apart 😢

Sorry for self indulgent whinging. I know there are others far worse off than me. But this sucks.

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