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Original poster

OMG not the info I was expecting, please reassure me

23 replies

MrsZoidberg · 12/06/2012 11:28

I went for blood tests last week. I have High blood pressure so have to have reviews annually, for which I need a blood test. As it is difficult to get blood from me at the best of times, I asked them to check my Thyroid at the same time to save a second vampire appointment.

I just rang up for the results and the receptionist said I have to go see the doctor. Ok, so I thought that meant there was a problem with my Thyroid, but receptionist is booking an urgent appointment, the Dr doesn't have any free slots this week, so they are adding an appointment to her diary - it's that urgent!

If it was my thyroid, they wouldn't treat it as that urgent would they? I haven't any other symptoms that would worry me, so don't think its kidneys, liver or whatever else they test for the Hypertension review.

So what could it be? Please only tell me positives as I'm now panicking.

OP posts:
Marrow · 12/06/2012 12:59

They test for diabetes as well I think. Try not to panic. When is your appointment?

Original poster
MrsZoidberg · 12/06/2012 13:11

Thursday Morning.

MiL suggested they found sugar so are recalling me for that, but I would have thought they would have wanted a fasting blood test.

It's difficult not to panic, MiL says that if it was majorly urgent, they would have rung me yesterday, so leaving it until I rang in for the results is a good sign, but then she thrives on platitudes and they normally drive me nuts.

Aaargh its my birthday tomorrow, don't exactly want to spend it worrying which I now am.

OP posts:
QuickLookBusy · 12/06/2012 13:27

Your MIL is right. If it was majorly urgent they would have rung you when they got the results back and you would be seen ASAP. They would not leave you until Thursday.

This happened to me after blood tests. I had been feeling very ill and was imagining all sorts of things. I had the blood tests on the Monday and I was phoned by my Dr on the Wednesday. She told me I was severe anemia and she wanted to see me the next day.

Please try not to worry, they would NOT leave you if it was something serious.

wheniwasoneihadjustbegun · 12/06/2012 13:31

Could you call the surgery and ask for your / a doctor to call you back? If you explain that you are worrying I am sure that they will speak to you over the phone. My surgery are really uptight about blood results - only doctors can give them out. I had some last year where my liver function was a bit off, and had to make an appointment to see the doctor to be told / discuss this (it was fine, just due to a virus they though, sorted itself).

PorkyandBess · 12/06/2012 13:33

There is no way I would wait, not because i think it's anything sinister but because I would worry and distort it between now and Thursday.

Can't you get the gp to phone you today to tell you what it's about?

Elibean · 12/06/2012 14:54

Just to add another possible - dh is on statins, and had a similarly 'urgent' appointment after his blood checks: the surgery wanted to shift him over to a cheaper brand Hmm

Honestly, if it was dire they would have called you in straight away. But if I were you, I'd phone and say my BP can't take the anxiety of waiting - peace of mind is precious!

TheLightPassenger · 12/06/2012 16:04

I think they probably would treat a thyroid problem as that urgent tbh, I got called in urgently for iron tablets as my HB was borderline when I was PG! Agree with phoning up tho to save yourself further worry.

EmilieFloge · 12/06/2012 16:06

Try not to panic - I have fairly OFTEN had a call to come in as urgent when in fact there was nothing wrong with me at all. It's sometimes just what they do - misunderstandings, whatever, I never understood it. Or something really minor but the GP had to see me to explain it or something.

Good luck x

YoulllaughAboutItOneDay · 12/06/2012 16:09

Yes, please phone. I had a similarly panic inducing call with the doctor's reception after a smear. It had picked up thrush. I spent days worrying.

Original poster
MrsZoidberg · 12/06/2012 17:26

Thank you all for the reasurance.

I've thought about it and have decided not to ring as if they say they can't discuss it on the phone then I'll be even more worried. Also, getting phone appointments at our surgery is as bad as trying to get home visits!

I know the Dr who wants to see me is out tomorrow as well, so at least if I wait until Thursday, I'll see her, and she's one of the few I trust there.

Only 41 hours to wait, I can do that.

OP posts:
TheLightPassenger · 12/06/2012 17:40

anything really really serious, I imagine they would be telling you to go to the hospital asap, rather than seeing you at the GPs later in the week.

CrikeyOHare · 12/06/2012 17:58

Similarish thing happened to me when I was pregnant.

I started getting weird "out of place" heartbeats so my doctor arranged an ECG which they did at the surgery.

I called up the next day to be told the doctor wanted to see me - and I was completely terrified. Couldn't get an appointment for a few days in spite of crying down the phone to the receptionist (had convinced myself I was going to have a heart attack Sad).

When I did get in a few days later I was told that my heartbeat was slightly fast and he wanted to talk to me about relaxing! Other than that, everything was perfect and he even commented that if he had an ECG done on himself this was the result he'd want to see! So I'd spent about 3 sleeplessness terrified about a near perfect result! Grrrrr.......!

As others have said, OP, anything very serious would have had the doctor phoning you himself or getting you in as an emergency. If THEY don't see it as massively urgent (and they are the experts) then you shouldn't either :)

Don't forget to update us!

CrikeyOHare · 12/06/2012 17:59

....sleepless nights that should be

Original poster
MrsZoidberg · 12/06/2012 18:04

But they created an appointment for me, this is the bit worrying me. The receptionist said, "Oh Dr ... hasn't any free apointments, I need to talk to someone, let me get back to you" , so is it too urgent to leave until next week? or maybe Dr not in next week. Or it could be that I already have an appointment with the nurse on Thursday and they wanted to save me 2 trips. Aaaaaargh, you see how my poor fevered brain is working.

Thank god they didn't give me the results, I wouldn't have been able to stop myself Googling Grin

Spent afternoon tidying my craft room to take my mind off it

OP posts:
zipzap · 12/06/2012 18:50

I don't think 'create an appointment' is necessarily too serious - if it was that serious they would have sent you to hospital or created an appointment for you that day.

she has probably fitted you in to some time when she would normally be doing paperwork or there is a clinic or two running at the surgery (but not actual normal appointment time for the surgery) to ensure that she does see you this week, especially if she is away lots this week or next week...

I think they are often happy to do this if there is a reasonable reason to do it (and your results obviously are a reasonable reason) they just don't like to do it for anybody who rings up and should be in normal surgery time appointments.

good luck on thursday, hope it all goes well and they have just badly communicated it to you about why they are seeing you this week!

rookanga · 12/06/2012 19:12

Fitting in an extra appointment isnt a very serious thing. It means that they would rather see you this week than next week for whatever reason, but it is a pretty normal thing to do, as usually a few appointments are wasted by people not turning up, so fitting in a extra usually means one less wasted slot.

Original poster
MrsZoidberg · 12/06/2012 21:16

Thank you, I'm feeling a little better. I'll let you know how I get on

OP posts:
didldidi · 12/06/2012 21:26

When I was tested for hypothyroidism I had the blood test on the Friday afternoon and by Monday lunchtime the surgery were ringing me to come in urgently. Mine was though severely under active. This morning I had to have diabetes and cholesterol blood tests and I had to fast since 8pm last night - so I doubt it could be that they are calling about.

Original poster
MrsZoidberg · 14/06/2012 12:26

An update as requested.

After 2 days worrying, and a very long wait at the surgery, I was told that my glucose and cholestrol were up! Exactly what the nurse who does the hypertension review - that I had before seeing the doctor - told me. AAArgh, why couldn't they have just told me on Tuesday to book a fasting blood test! Funnily enough, my blood pressure was also up!

Over the past 3 months my diet has gone up the creek as I have broken my right wrist and cannot chop fresh veg, or cook from raw ingredients, so I have been relying on ready meals. This is now changing, and I'll be back to having my weekly fruit & veg box delivery soon.

Thyroid is apparently fine - 3.7

Thanks for all the support though.

OP posts:
YoulllaughAboutItOneDay · 14/06/2012 12:58

Oh great news! Have you thought about giving feedback to the GP about the worry you were put through though. After my experience with the smear, I actually spoke to a nurse and explained how they had upset and scared me, and they agreed to have a look at reviewing how the receptionist explained the need for a follow up appointment to someone.

Original poster
MrsZoidberg · 14/06/2012 13:05

This is just the latest in a long line of whinges I have with this surgery.

We're looking for another but unfortunately there isn't another one local (rural)

OP posts:
CrikeyOHare · 14/06/2012 13:55

Excellent news :)

QuickLookBusy · 14/06/2012 18:36

Glad it was something you already knewSmile and thank you for updating.

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