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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Haemoglobin 67 g/l -do I need to go to a&e

68 replies

lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 14:50

Hi,
I logged into my app to see my blood test result. - I can my haemoglobin is really low. I tried to contact my GP but unable to get through. Would be reasonable for me to a&e or should I wait?

OP posts:
Fencehedge · 07/02/2025 17:51

Floralnomad · 07/02/2025 17:50

I really can’t understand how a result like that has been put up with no contact from the GP , it’s bizarre .

OP isn't obliged to tell us the whole story

Original poster
lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 17:52

Floralnomad · 07/02/2025 17:50

I really can’t understand how a result like that has been put up with no contact from the GP , it’s bizarre .

It wasn't ordered by the GP. I had a blood test done at the hospital last week and I logged on to the app today.

OP posts:
wldpwr · 07/02/2025 17:53

Ferritin of 2 is consistent with iron-deficiency anaemia. Have you recently had a baby? Or a lot of menstrual bleeding?

I had ferritin of 2 after my last son was born (HB never as low as yours) and it was totally resolved with a single iron infusion.

Hope you feel better soon.

Greybeardy · 07/02/2025 17:59

the advice from the other doctor on the thread is good. If the hospital ordered the test, it should also be the hospital following-up the result. Before everyone slates the GP for being so relaxed, are they even aware the test's been taken, let alone that the result is back and abnormal?

Janiie · 07/02/2025 18:04

lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 17:52

It wasn't ordered by the GP. I had a blood test done at the hospital last week and I logged on to the app today.

Show quote history

But even so, they'd have contacted your gp immediately. Perhaps all the other figures were unusually low too so it was decided it was a diluted sample, where were you when then took it did you have an IV infusion going?

Just ask 111 to look and save yourself hours in A&E.

GoldenSunflowers · 07/02/2025 18:09

lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 17:52

It wasn't ordered by the GP. I had a blood test done at the hospital last week and I logged on to the app today.

Show quote history

So the GP wouldn’t know the result. Whoever requested it should receive the results and follow up. Did you self discharge before the results were available? Even so, I don’t understand how this wasn’t picked up by the hospital. I’d still ring GP, 111 or attend A&E etc.

Original poster
lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:10

Janiie · 07/02/2025 18:04

But even so, they'd have contacted your gp immediately. Perhaps all the other figures were unusually low too so it was decided it was a diluted sample, where were you when then took it did you have an IV infusion going?

Just ask 111 to look and save yourself hours in A&E.

Show quote history

Is this the normal process. I generally find there no communication between the two. I will contact 111 tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:12

GoldenSunflowers · 07/02/2025 18:09

So the GP wouldn’t know the result. Whoever requested it should receive the results and follow up. Did you self discharge before the results were available? Even so, I don’t understand how this wasn’t picked up by the hospital. I’d still ring GP, 111 or attend A&E etc.

Show quote history

No I had an appointment last week. After the appointment, the doctor asked me to some bloods and arranged another scan in two weeks and a follow appointment in July.

OP posts:
Allthesnowallthetime · 07/02/2025 18:14

Blood results are usually communicated to the referrer, that is the person who ordered it, in this case the hospital. It's the hospital's responsibility to follow up urgent results with the patient.

A GP can give advice, but only if they actually know about the result.

MortalWomb4t · 07/02/2025 18:17

I really wouldn't think so?

Mine are 6.5 atm and I'm currently waiting for hematology letter to go in for an infusion.

Original poster
lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:17

Allthesnowallthetime · 07/02/2025 18:14

Blood results are usually communicated to the referrer, that is the person who ordered it, in this case the hospital. It's the hospital's responsibility to follow up urgent results with the patient.

A GP can give advice, but only if they actually know about the result.

Would the GP be annoyed if I contacted them as they didn't order the blood test.

OP posts:
GoldenSunflowers · 07/02/2025 18:19

It’s your health, OP. They won’t be annoyed but they’ll be closing in 10 minutes (ours does).

Janiie · 07/02/2025 18:20

lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:17

Would the GP be annoyed if I contacted them as they didn't order the blood test.

Show quote history

No! Ring them. Maybe it's an admin error but ring them.

Colalola · 07/02/2025 18:24

I'm surprised they haven't called you tbh. When mine was that low I was having to have blood transfusions. Take care, call 111 and get an appt somewhere or somehow. X

MysticCatLady · 07/02/2025 18:25

If the GP didn't offer the test they won't know the result. If you are feeling lightheaded or are actively bleeding, go to A&E. If not, call 111 for advice.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 07/02/2025 18:25

When I had a dangerous blood test result on a hospital blood test the lab contacted my GP. He sent me to A and E and my consultant rang me and told me to go home.

Floralnomad · 07/02/2025 18:28

Fencehedge · 07/02/2025 17:51

OP isn't obliged to tell us the whole story

Show quote history

I’m not suggesting the OP is withholding information or has to reveal anything I’m simply pointing out that it’s incredible that any Dr , GP or otherwise would put that result online with no contact . Anytime my bloods have been seriously askew , be it GP or hospital I have been phoned prior to me getting to see the result .

Hellskitchen24 · 07/02/2025 18:31

We transfuse our patients if they have a Hb of less than 70. Nurse here.

Errors · 07/02/2025 18:32

How are you physically feeling OP?

Original poster
lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:36

Errors · 07/02/2025 18:32

How are you physically feeling OP?

I'm actually not feeling too bad just tired.

OP posts:
Original poster
lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:36

Floralnomad · 07/02/2025 18:28

I’m not suggesting the OP is withholding information or has to reveal anything I’m simply pointing out that it’s incredible that any Dr , GP or otherwise would put that result online with no contact . Anytime my bloods have been seriously askew , be it GP or hospital I have been phoned prior to me getting to see the result .

Show quote history

The blood test comes up automatically on the patient portal.

OP posts:
Janiie · 07/02/2025 18:52

lillyrose32shp · 07/02/2025 18:36

The blood test comes up automatically on the patient portal.

Show quote history

Yes but results significantly out of range are flagged up before being available for patienrt to view. So, there must be an admin error or something. Regardless, GPs have access to blood results even taken at hospital so ring them. Obviously they will liaise with whichever department ordered the tests to confirm a treatment plan with further tests I'd imagine.

Jadebanditchillipepper · 07/02/2025 19:01

ApiratesaysYarrr · 07/02/2025 17:48

I'm a doctor, and often see referrals for anaemic patients on call. A Hb of that level may or may not need transfusion, but these days is more likely to be booked in for an urgent iron infusion - things have moved on in the last 10 years or so in terms of recognising that transfusion isn't always the right thing. In any event , unless you were actively having a large bleed right now, you should not be transfused overnight (there is increased risk of harm to patients having out of hours transfusion for various reasons), so even if you go to A&E now, you won't get transfused unless it was real emergency. Being booked in for an iron infusion in a couple of days is a lot better for you than sitting on a chair in A&E overnight or waiting up to 24 hours for a bed - which is the dreadful reality these days in many places.

It really depends on why the bloods were taken, what symptoms you are having and what previous results looked like.

Assuming that you don't have significant symptoms, call your GP first thing in the morning after the weekend (assuming that your GP surgery were who requested the blood test). If you have chronic symptoms , then it's ok to wait. Clearly if you are feeling very unwell, you should seek medical advice.

This. I am also a doctor and see patients with this level of haemoglobin all the time. Unless you have any active bleeding, this has probably been dropping gradually over several weeks/months.

I don't transfuse patients at this level unless they have active bleeding or another medical condition such as angina which is being made worse by the anaemia. If your ferritin is 2, you are very iron deficient and an iron infusion will bring your haemoglobin level up very quickly. You will also need investigations to work out why you are so anaemic.

I would see your GP as soon as they are open again so they can refer you. If you can get hold of any iron tablets in the meantime, that will help. Good luck and I hope you get sorted soon.

Jadebanditchillipepper · 07/02/2025 19:04

Sorry, didn't notice that the blood test had been ordered by the hospital - it is their responsibility to follow this up - maybe ring your consultant's secretary?

Coco1oco · 07/02/2025 19:04

Mine was 80 and my GP rang asking if I was okay, this was after a routine blood test review due to medication. I had been exhausted for months and thought it was life just on top of me!!
They booked me in for an iron infusion which was about 4 weeks after but they warned I was almost at blood transfusion territory!
I hope you're okay OP and get sorted soon, please don't leave it, I did some googling afterwards and it is extremely dangerous to have such low iron.