Very worried - partner's blood test

[Lookingforadvice123]

Hi all

I've only posted once previously but I would really appreciate some thoughts as I'm going out of my mind with worry. My partner has had a strange rash on his arms/chest/torso/back and occasionally legs, for several weeks now. The description of the rash most closely matches 'hives', and it sometimes flares up, sometimes is very mild and can be very itchy.

He's been to the doctors twice, the first time they gave him antihistamines and a standard cream/shower gel, but it got worse, so when he went back a second time they gave him a blood and urine test - the doctor said they had no idea what it was, the 'hives' description is from my incessant online research.

He rang for the blood test results this afternoon, and they've asked him to go back in to discuss with the doctor at 9am tomorrow. I'm completely freaking out as to me this sounds very serious - doctors don't give out early appointments like that and when I had a blood test for thyroid recently, as it was negative no further action was required. The only information the receptionist could give was that it's "not serious". Now I'm sure this would calm most normal people down but I'm obviously not one of them! I don't understand how it could possibly NOT be serious if they want to see him first thing tomorrow. I have no idea of the type of conditions that could've shown up???

It could be almost anything depending on which tests they have asked for. It could be as mundane as your cholesterol is too high alter your diet. Almost certainly they have given him an early appointment to try and stop you worrying/googling.

My DH has had a few call backs following blood tests - none of which have been serious. Just a slight problem with liver function (overweight and too much beer!), a slightly low count of folic acid and one other mineral - no further action, just a repeat blood test in a few months.

They will be booking him in to the next available appointment, not an emergency. It will just be what appears next on their screen.

Please try not to worry, and I hope it turns out to be nothing.

PS I was exactly the same as you!

Thank you both so much for replying. I'm not worried about liver function - that was something they said the test would eliminate, but my OH is only 30 and physically for, doesn't drink much either so I think it's unlikely. We'd assumed that the rash was allergy related the way it comes and goes, and it flared up badly after he had cereal with semi skimmed milk once. He's since told me that the doctor said the blood test was for allergies, as well as generally everything else they test for, he'd forgot to tell me that originally! So I'm feeling a tiny bit calmer now, massively praying it's just an allergy or cholesterol etc as you say - OH is fit cardiovascular wise but he still eats way too much pizza/chocolate etc so I suppose it's a possibility!

Just hope I get to sleep tonight I'm such a massive worrier. The thing that's worrying me most is the fact that the appointment is so soon :s

When my first blood test for my thyroid came back, I was called in straight away! I was in a complete panic (they were testing for everything, including real nasties).

I think the doctor just told the receptionist that she wanted to see me, and I was offered the first appointment.

Hope it's all ok.

My bet is on coeliac disease.

Well it's not an allergy - the issue with his blood test is that his bilirubin levels are "slightly raised". The doctor examined him (felt for any tenderness in the middle are), looked at his eyes for signs of jaundice, and all that was fine. As he hasn't had any other symptoms and is for and well overall, the doctor seems to think it's something called Gilbert's Syndrome, which is harmless and just means that the bilirubin levels are slightly raised. I'm praying it's this and have calmed down a bit now but I absolutely freaked out to begin with! He's going to have another blood test next week, specifically to rule out liver disease, which if they do means they will say he's got this Gilbert's Syndrome.

I'm still really worried and so annoyed we have to wait until next week for the next blood test. But if they were concerned it was something serious they would suggest he have the test straight away, wouldn't they?

Gilbert's Syndrome is fairly common and quite harmless, from what I understand. To the point that it's not an illness, just a condition.

I had a similar result a few years ago, but my follow up test was normal.

Really sittinginthesun, you had slightly raised levels of bilirubin? The doctor apparently felt his middle quite thoroughly, felt his liver and gallbladder and said both seemed fine. One minute I tell myself it's fine, the next I'm thinking the worst! If it's Gilbert's Syndrome as you say it's not a cause for concern, I just can't cope if it's anything else!