FIT test abnormal - feeling worried

[JoyfulSpring]

For the past few weeks I've been feeling dreadful. Weak, palpitations, uncontrollable fatigue, my legs feel heavy, my body hurts all over. I have Fibromyalgia so have been putting it down to a flare up however I recently had blood tests and my ferritin came back at 21 so have been put on iron tablets.

I know they take a few months to bring levels back up but I'm feeling so ill and I'm really struggling. I've been signed off for a couple of weeks. The GP requested a stool sample last week and it's come back as abnormal. I don't know the numbers, she didn't tell me, but it's resulted in a 2WW referral to gastro and I'm scared.

Can anyone reassure me if this has happened to them? I do suffer with constipation and I have had bleeding when going to the loo which I know is from piles so I'm hoping the abnormal result is down to that but the GP said those tests can differentiate between blood from piles and blood higher up or 'within' the stool. The fact I'm low on iron as well has me concerned.

I had a positive test last year and was referred on the 2 WW for colonoscopy. I was petrified as we've had bowel cancer in the family. I went for the colonoscopy. The prep was quite frankly the most vile thing I've ever had to do. I had sedation and gas and air. It was over in about 30 minutes or so. Not painful. Uncomfortable at times but I'd know what to expect next time. The unknown is the worst. The staff were lovely. They told me the results on the day. I was fine.
It's the easiest thing in the world for someone else to say don't worry. But talk to others. I was surprised at how common it was.

I've always been told that FIT tests absolutely cannot differentiate between blood from cancer and from anything else such as piles. They test for blood in the stool but can't tell where it's from. I had a positive FIT and was sent on the two week pathway recently and it turned out to be internal piles.

I was TERRIFIED about the colonoscopy but it was fine. I didn't even mind the prep too much, although I think that's down to the fact that I was given the newer stuff (Plenvu) where you only have to drink half the amount that people have to drink of the other stuff.

I’ve had a sumilar referral on 2ww, and turned out to be a much less serious complaint. I think the threshold is set purposefully low to make sure, but only around 5% of abnormal fit test work ups turn out to be cancer.

Thanks both, that's reassuring. I did ask the dr specifically if it can differentiate and she said the newer tests can. I have always had stomach issues but that could be down to Fibromyalgia. I've not noticed any recent changes but the low iron does imply something is going on. My diet isn't low in iron. I don't have heavy periods, they barely last 2 days now.