Talk me down - blood tests

[TheresABearOverThere]

My 7 year old DS caught a bug at the end of August. We all did, and were all sick. However he hasn't shaken it off and continued to be sick, on and off.

We took him to the doctor and she has arranged blood tests and a referral to the paediatrician. She asked us if he looked pale, he does somewhat. She said it was just a precaution but I am utterly petrified. He hasn't been sick every day - he had two weekends of being sick like it was a bug and then threw up once this Wednesday. He has otherwise seemed completely fine in himself.

Anyone had this? I'm so scared it's something sinister.

My ds was sick for weeks a few years ago. He had to have blood tests, but nothing showed up and it stopped of its own accord. It was really weird but no long term effects

That's reassuring. I'm absolutely petrified he has leukemia and the doctor must at least suspect it if she's ordered blood tests. He is very slim generally but now I'm wondering if he's lost even more weight.

It's not so much they suspect it, rather that it's the rare condition that they need to rule out at the very outset. The test - a full blood count - gives information which is useful in diagnosing all sorts of conditions

When are the bloods being done?

If he is pale I would imagine it’s more to
rule out anemia. Which you would want to know he has if he does! So try not worry as it’s far more likely to be something mild- if anything at all.

Bloods are being done on Thursday. They said the pediatrician appointment could take up to 8 weeks.

He's also been really overemotional lately but that could be from any sort of illness and bugs I know.

On those timelines, I don't think the doctor suspects leukaemia. If they did, they'd be arranging bloods same day (possibly even doing it themselves on the spot)

Ds had very similar when he was 8yo.
He had tonsillitis and after that he almost every day his temperature would come up around lunch time, he'd vomit and then sleep the rest of the day. I'd pick him up from school at lunch time and he'd be asleep in the car before I'd driven away.

He was put on rapid blood tests and, yes, they did suspect leukaemia. Actually, my very experienced Doctor admitted afterwards he thought it was almost certainly.
He doesn't often get things wrong, but no, wasn't leukaemia. In fact, after tests all over the place, they never came up with an answer other than probably post viral fatigue, combined with possibly a major dust mite allergy.

He missed most of a term of school, but gradually got better. Although even now, over 5 years later he tends to pick up any infection (other than stomach bugs) going and is really ill with any of them. He also reacts badly to any injections, although he also tends to find them fascinating. He does a good line in still asking medical questions as he faints.

If they do pick up anything in the blood test, they will phone you much sooner than the paed's appointment. I got a call very quickly to say they'd found allergy markers and could I bring him back. That particular one turned out he was very allergic to "magic cream" which was kind of funny. When they retested they decided dust mites was also an allergen.

Oh that is reassuring thank you, are you a doctor? Do you think it's more likely anaemia they suspect?

My toddler has been like this, just random morning vomits usually on waking. Bloods were taken yesterday and as I have heard nothing I am assuming the results are all unremarkable. If your GP was worried about leukemia you wouldn't be waiting 8 weeks to be seen.

I hope they're ok @bloodywhitecat !

It's about ten years ago now, but my DD (then aged 4) had some worrying symptoms which needed a full blood count - they were concerned about leukaemia, and she had blood tests the same day, then they rang with the results that evening (all fine, thankfully). I know how terrified you must feel right now, but honestly, if they were worried about leukaemia then they wouldn't delay tests. Hugs - I still remember the lurch of horror when leukaemia was mentioned

My son had similar turns out he had folate deficiency. I must admit I nearly vomited when the GP rang me 8:30 in the evening

No, not a doctor, so no idea what else it could be.

But do know that when leukaemia is suspected, things start moving very fast indeed. Bloods are prioritised, and if results shows a blood cancer is likely, referral to haematology is immediate.

Thanks all, this is reassuring. I'm finding it hard not to freak out.

Not all blood tests are prioritised and I don't know why. Our GP suspected leukemia for my son earlier this year and ordered Blood tests and an ultrasound, for swollen lymph nodes, which, which she said would take up to 2 weeks despite my concern. I than rang them a few days later and took him to a&e and they still told me to wait.

It did turn out to be leukemia in our case unfortunately.

Just to add, I hope everything is OK with your child and I'm sure it is, but GPs have a huge lack of knowledge when it comes to childhood cancer. Our Consultant said he hears about GPs batting off parents all the time. The main thing is that you know your child best and push for action if you aren't happy.

Hey, he had his blood test yesterday and his pediatrician appointment tomorrow so will update.

I'm sorry about your DS - I hope he's doing ok now.

I'm so sorry. How is your child now?

I don't think the gp thinks it's leukemia you would be seen much faster that 8 weeks.
Our gp referred ds cause he had a lump in his neck and we was seen within 48 hours the lump wasn't cancer thankfully.

@Sw82 I hope your child and you are all coping OK, what a shock for you all. 💐
Glad it is all being done quickly OP, that is the best thing all around. DS had blood s done twice, referred to paediatrician and the last time he was tested for leukaemia which I hadn’t realised. They also looked at kidney function, liver, the works. But when they do that they are basically covering all bases - which is a really good thing. Most of the time it is more common causes like allergies, being run down and iron depleted etc.
DS has elevated markers for chronic infection and they still don’t know what it is. I’m probably going to push for another blood count to monitor. He’s fine but having bloods is really useful as it is a relatively quick way of finding out a fair bit.

Did he have a gastro bug to begin with? Some children can developed a temporary lactose intolerance afterwards - they can do a stool sample test to check for “reducing sugars” to identify if that’s the case.

I’d try not to worry too much.

He's all good, bloods normal, he's fine! Very relieved.

I’m so pleased to hear that! My son had multiple red flags for leukaemia earlier this year (lymphadenopathy, rash, nose bleeds, pale, fatigued) and he’s fine. Just a weird virus. They are such a worry aren’t they!

Great news OP. I’m happy to hear it!