Confused by GP ordering blood test for foot pain?

[FluentRubyDog]

I've been experiencing excruciating pain in the soles of my feet since pregnancy. Changed shoes, tried insoles, foot spa, radox salts, moisturiser, massage gun, nothing helps.

Made an appointment with my GP (waited a month for this). Our GP is not very communicative at best of times, but today wouldn't tell me anything and ordered a blood test?!?

I'm totally confused now... any ideas as to why I would need a blood test for foot pain?

Google says;
''Most common lab tests ordered by a Foot and Ankle Specialist to diagnose chronic foot pain include: Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential: tests for infection, osteomyelitis (bone infection) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) : tests for inflammation in your body.''

So they are looking for inflammation and infection markers in your blood. I'd just go along with it; its how they found out I had a stomach ulcer and very low Vitamin D.

Gout, anaemia, and various forms of arthritis would be among the possible causes of foot pain. The blood tests will help the doctor to assess the underlying cause

Gout?

Not related to your blood tests, but planter faciatis is agony and can start after pregnancy!

If its plantar fasciitis, there are exercises you can do to help. I dont like the 'rolling the tube under your foot' one, it seems to trigger cramp.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/21790/plantar-exercise-sheet.pdf

It took me ages - months - to find something that helped my plantar fasciitis so I’m sharing it with you even though you didn’t ask because it wasn’t on your list of things you’ve tried. These changed my life:
amzn.eu/d/0greXDU8

Gout is diagnosed via blood test could it be this? Diabetes will also affect limbs

I had a blood test to check for rheumatoid arthritis

Also how they found out I was low in vit d

Sounds like a good gp tbh. Doesn't know what it is so starting on first principles and doing what they trained to do.

Lots of reasons really, to consider/exlude some of the conditions mentioned, it can just be routine bloods taken opportunistically, sometimes it's just defensive practice.

Not just a port-swigging old man's disease these days!

Because you've got a good doctor who is ruling out all possible causes before deciding it's probably plantar facisitis

Probably looking for B12 deficiency. I had severe foot pain a few years ago and this is what was causing it.

I had this after I was pregnant! In agony every time I stood up and hobbling around like an old woman. GP probably just ruling out infection etc. I don’t remember doing anything specific to help mine get better. Except for wearing Crocs in the house at all times, never bare feet. And living in trainers for months on end. No glam mummy look for me.

It did ease off but took a while. Several months if I recall. Pregnancy really did a number on me!!!

Deficiencies can definitely cause foot pain and it's common to be deficient after a pregnancy so I'd say your gp is correct to order bloods.

I totally appreciate that I may have a GP covering all the bases - that's not my complaint. What irks me is that he didn't explain anything or give me any clue as to what might be going on. That's why I'm posting here. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

@PieceOfSunshine you might be onto something, I am a persistent offender when it comes to being barefoot!

The whole point of bloods is investigation. Doctors are not unfortunately psychic so sometimes they have to look at the science and blood results....

As I said, I have NO OBJECTION to having blood tests done, what I do object to is not being told what they are about!

What did you ask the Dr when they said they're sending you for tests?

I asked what happens next and what they expected to find. I was just told to go to the receptionist and book a bloods appointment. The doctor then left the consultation room.

Did you ask?

See my last comment, please!

We clearly posted at the same time.
The GP doesn't sound great, I agree. I would try and see someone else at the practice going forward.

Whilst there's certainly an arguement for being informed, ultimately for you to be meaningfully aware of what each test was for and possible outcomes of which just isn't realistic in the timeframe. They've normally got about 10minutes to get you in from the waiting room, check who you are, review your hx, let you explain why you've come in, ask you a few questions to consider their dx/differentials, physical examination, request tests, prescribe/plan a review, give you advice/worsening symptoms if relevant, and document all that.

The blood tests will probably consider several possible causes, it'll be obvious to anyone that the tests of for considering possible causes of your symptoms/your health in general so it doesn't really benefit from taking time away from the other things that need doing, in order to talk you through the list - which will invariable cover things which are probably quite unlikely but serious consequences if delayed diagnosis. I.e. "So FluentRubyDog you'll see here I've requested your rhumatoid factor, that's because hormonal changes in pregnacy can trigger rhumatoid arthritis, a sign of which can be joint pain. This can occur in pregnancy due to a hormonal imbalance affecting an underlying autoimmune disease like lupus, or if it's a significant imbalance it can be an early sign of pre-ecamplsia, but not to worry we'll likey just terminate the pregnancy in this instance, don't worry though only like a 0.001% chance this is the cause of your symptoms I highly doubt it's relevant but it's requested as part of a panal of investigations in pregnancy with joint pain, but all the best I'll see you in 2-4 weeks for a review of how you're getting on..."

It's normal to inform of the purpose of a test if it's suspected cancer or HIV for example, but otherwise it's not that typical beyond - confirm or consider diagnosis.

Imbalanced electrolytes/low magnesium can cause muscle pain and cramping