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Original poster

DH and blood test - Worried. Any GPs about?

31 replies

Grandhighpoohba · 29/12/2011 16:48

If you went in for a blood test in the morning, and they phoned you later the same day to ask you to come in tomorrow, does that automatically mean something bad?

DH went in for a blood test this morning - he has some symptoms which suggest overactive thyroid. He says they took samples to test his thyroid, liver and blood sugar, and gave him an appointment to come back on the 9th of Jan to discuss results - but they just phoned him and said they had his results back, and could he come in tomorrow? Would they do that for an overactive thyroid? Or is there something else going on?

OP posts:
wonkylegs · 29/12/2011 16:54

Not necessarily - they may not have drawn enough blood, dropped a test tube or decided that a few more tests are needed as the 1st ones are inconclusive.
Being asked to return is just par the course. In my many years of treatment (I have RA) I've always stuck with the mantra try not to worry 'til you have something to worry about. It could easily be nothing wait until he gets his results and then chat to the docs. I hope he's fine.

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 29/12/2011 16:58

thanks. Am trying not to worry. He said that they said they had his results, rather than needing to redo tests. Am trying not to google thyroid problems as I know that no good ever comes of googling health problems.

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KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 17:02

Actually for an overactive thyroid, - you can sometimes get a very high heart rate, palpitations etc. - If he has OT, they might want him in to check his heart rate and get him on some beta blockers straight away (I've got OT and when it was first DX, they wanted to get me stabalised as quickly as poss.)

KurriKurri · 29/12/2011 17:03

Don't worry too much about thyroid probs. - they can cause unpleasant symptoms, but once they get them sorted out (which is relatively easy to do) he will feel so much better.

DarrellRivers · 29/12/2011 17:04

Probably is something like an overactive thyroid
Especially if he is symptomatic they probably want to get on and treat it.
But you don't know until tomorrow , so try not to worry in the meantime

catsareevil · 29/12/2011 17:05

It could be thyroid, or could be something else. Given the time of year they are probably keen to get things sorted out quickly rather than dragging on into the public holidays.

Cinders22 · 29/12/2011 17:12

A friend of mine went to her GP for blood tests and having been told to call in 7 days for the results, she received a telephone call the same day asking her to call in to see the GP the next day. After a night of panic she saw her GP who gave her medication for an underactive thyroid. So in answer to your question, yes they do sometimes call you back straight away for thyroid problems.

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 29/12/2011 17:12

Thanks all, that's reassuring. He doesn't have heart palpitations - he has tremors, inability to sleep properly, inability to put on weight and is depressed and moody, but yeah, maybe they just want him on treatment quick. I'm not sure why they were testing his liver function though.

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winnybella · 29/12/2011 17:14

Yes, I think thyroid problems can be dangerous (if the hormone levels are very, very much of the normal range) so yes, if he's overactive they would call him back asap. It's very well controlled with meds, though, so don't worry.

winnybella · 29/12/2011 17:16

Thyroid hormones can affect digestive system, so maybe that's why? Also those three things they tested him for are sort of basic things to test for with his symptoms, so I wouldn't worry.

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 29/12/2011 17:19

Thanks. Will try not to think about too much for tonight. I hope it is easily treatable, because he has been miserable for a while.

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AnyoneforTurps · 29/12/2011 19:54

(I'm a GP) Don't panic - it could be something as simple as the GP who arranged the tests being on holiday next week and wanting to sort things out (e.g. if thyroid under/over active) before going.

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 29/12/2011 22:14

Thanks. That sounds possible.

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Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 30/12/2011 10:38

He has been, he has an overactive thyroid! Thanks for all the reassurances. Its a relief for us both to know what's wrong, and to hope that they can sort out some of the symptoms. They haven't been fun for him, or fun to live with for the rest of us.

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KurriKurri · 30/12/2011 12:47

Oh I'm glad he's got his diagnosis poohba - its not a nice thing to have, but if he's anything like me, it'll be a great relief to know what is making him feel so poorly. And now they will keep a good eye on him to make sure it is kept well under control. [smie]

KurriKurri · 30/12/2011 12:47
Smile
AnyoneforTurps · 30/12/2011 14:48

Glad you've got the diagnosis, hope he feels better soon Smile

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 30/12/2011 16:25

Yeah, it's a relief. He has medication to take, and a referral to a specialist, presumably so they can find out why. He has had symptoms for years and years though, so presumably it's not nothing sinister.

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tribpot · 30/12/2011 16:28

The turnaround times for blood tests are getting faster (I got most of mine turned round in 24 hours not because they were marked as urgent but because the GP could access the info directly in the lab's system) but appointment times are often still based on the slower timescales just in case - so if she had a free slot the next day and the results were available quickly, it makes sense to get him on treatment as soon as poss.

Hope he feels better soon.

AnyoneforTurps · 30/12/2011 16:31

Very rare for there to be any serious underlying cause especially - as you say - if it has come on gradually. It is usually just that the thyroid gland has gone a bit haywire, either because there are nodules (not cancerous) within it producing too much hormone or because of an autoimmune problem called Graves Disease, though this is commoner in women. Both are completely treatable though some patients will need long-term medication. If you want more info, there is a good leaflet here

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 30/12/2011 17:58

Thankyou, very useful link. He has all those symptoms except the palpitations and the menstrual problems. Grin He has had some of them for 30+ years. Shock

Interesting about the eyes- he gets headaches round his eyes which sometimes give him double or fractured vision, which the GP said were cluster headaches, but it looks like that might also be due to his thyroid.

The radiation treatment looks a bit scary. Hopefully he won't need that.

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AnyoneforTurps · 30/12/2011 18:01

If he develops menstrual symptoms, let me know - I might get my name in the British Medical Journal Wink.

KurriKurri · 30/12/2011 18:10

poohbah - I had the radiation treatment about three weeks ago, - it sounds a lot worse than it is, - I chose it because I wanted a permanent solution after nearly two years pf thyroid probs. It is he'll need to discuss fully with his endocrinologist though, - it's not the solution for everyone.

I had some eye problems too - one of my eyes stick out a bit now (nice!), but the problems like sleeplessness, palpitations, breathlessness etc. are well under control, - I'm still a bit of a sweaty betty though - but we're working on that one Grin

Hope he feels better soon, if you think there's anything I can help with regarding treatment, from my personal experience, feel free to PM me. But I found them very helpful at the hospital. Smile

Original poster
Grandhighpoohba · 30/12/2011 18:41

Thanks Kurri I'll bear that in mind.

He is in a bit of mood about having to take medication every day, he normally refuses even paracetmol, but he'll get used to it. And maybe be a bit less moody once he has had some proper sleep!

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AnyoneforTurps · 30/12/2011 18:48

To be fair, the moodiness may be partly the hyperthyroidism (though don't know what my DH's excuse is Grin) so should improve on treatment.

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