QHT request on blood form.. what is this?

[toothfairy73]

I've been undergoing a series of blood tests. My white blood count has been raised for years, along with inflammation markers. Now all of a sudden they seem concerned, my lymphocytes are raised, my esr and my crp. They have told me my blood test shows I have a bacterial infection (but I feel fine) and they want repeat bloods, really quite insist and have even booked me in. When I picked up the form the receptionist told me it was really important I had it done. Now I'm anxious about it. The blood form is requesting FBC but also something called HQT. I have tried to find out what this is (google) but cannot find this anywhere.

Does anyone know what this is?

[LuluJakey1]

Could it be Thyroid something Hormone? Not sure about the Q.

[princesskatethefirst]

*had

[princesskatethefirst]

I hate similar symptoms and it turned out I had glandular fever!

[Egghead68]

Might help:

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests-index

[toothfairy73]

I've just looked at the form again; it's TQH, not HQT. Has anyone any ideas?

[SirTobyBelch]

What's esr?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It's a blood marker of inflammation.

When you have an inflammatory reaction somewhere in your body (e.g. in response to an infection), cells release certain substances that act on the liver to stimulate production of what are called acute phase proteins, including fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A. When your blood concentration of fibrinogen rises it binds to your red blood cells (erythrocytes) and causes them to form stacks ("rouleaux"). These stacks settle more quickly under gravity than dispersed red cells do.

To measure ESR you simply take an anticoagulated blood sample and leave it to stand. The ESR is how many millimetres the red cells drop in an hour. In someone with an inflammatory condition - and therefore more serum fibrinogen - the rate will be more rapid.

[Shedidnt]

OP, do you have two separate sheets, with the HQT on a separate one to the blood test form? Or is it on the blood test form?
My GP gave me a load of cards for blood tests (I thought). Happily brought them to the clinic and one of the cards was actually for a urine sample. Could it be a separate card that's actually for a stool sample?

[SpuriouserAndSpuriouser]

Yes I only know HQT as a test done on a stool sample. You can’t test for occult blood in someone’s blood, that doesn’t make any sense. It could be an abbreviation for something else that I’m not familiar with, but I think it’s worth querying that one!

[Shedidnt]

It's a blood test that has been ordered though it seems.

[Greybeardy]

HQT for GI bleeding is not a blood test. Rather than having strangers on the internet worry you even more you’d be better off speaking to the doctor who ordered the test.

[Dontdisturbmenow]

If they wanted to wait 4 weeks, then they are not massively worried, so that's good news. Your GP will have clear guidance as to when to refer under the 2 weeks wait or as an urgent referral. This is not the case. From my experience, this is when levels are higher than they should be, but not so high that it is significantly concerning and they want to see if they go down on their own.

I was once contacted because I had a high marker for thyroid antibodies that could indicate Grave's disease. I did have symptoms too, but the GP said to wait 3 months and repeat. I did and the levels had gone down, although still borderline. Redone 3 months later and they were fine. It was just one of those things that can happen when starting the perimenopause (which I realised was the case for me only retrospectively).

As you are clearly worried (I would be too), could you ask for a telephone consultation with your GP and ask him specific questions, ie. why did he request HQT, why did he decide to retest in 4 weeks rather than referring you for further investigation in hospital. Would he agree to redo the tests after 2 weeks rather than 4. Hope all comes back normal soon enough.

[Shedidnt]

Honestly, it indicates a mild infection somewhere which might resolve itself. I suppose they're leaving it a month as there's nothing urgent to worry about given that you've no pain or fever etc.

[Shedidnt]

Well as you've no symptoms, they can't very well send you to A&E. They'll be looking to see if bloods have improved, though I'd have liked a blood test a week after the ones that indicated an infection. You could always book yourself in for a blood test today and ring them in a couple of days.

[toothfairy73]

@Shedidnt my test is booked in for 13th. They wanted to wait and repeat 4 weeks after the last one. I just want it done so I know what's going on. The wait is killing me

[OhTheRoses]

Phone your GP surgery when it opens and ask for a GP call back to explain what the tests are for because you are anxioys about it.

[Shedidnt]

Well, it sounds like just wait for the results and see what GP says. Given that you do have an infection though, as I've said, if you do develop symptoms, get to a hospital. When will you get the blood results?

[JolieOBrien]

@Shedidnt

I am half Irish and I don't have that because it would need to be in the 1000s. I have thyroid disease.

[Shedidnt]

Going from boiling to freezing could be like a fever. Have you ever taken your temp while having these episodes? It could be linked to the infection I'm thinking.

[JolieOBrien]

@Shedidnt

It should be below 5 and my ferritin is 300 when it should be below 150. I have been like this for years because I have an enlarged thyroid.

[Shedidnt]

Are you Irish? Do you have that thing haemo-something-or another?

[Shedidnt]

9 doesn't sound too bad to me (not remotely medical).

When I was in hospital they told me they'd discharge me when the CRP went down to 11. I remained on antibiotics for 7 days post discharge however.

I asked 2 days pre discharge what my CRP was, as they said it was elevated. It was 49. The next day it had dropped to 21, and then it must have dropped to 11 as they discharged me finally.

[JolieOBrien]

My CRP is 9 and I have high ferritin because I have an autoimmune disease and I have inflammation in my body.

[Shedidnt]

Well, it sounds like your GP is on the ball. If you do develop any symptoms like pain or black stools, go to A&E immediately.

I know their concern with my infection when they found the source was treating it asap so that it wouldn't infect other nearby organs (can't remember but I think it was the liver they were particularly concerned about, or the pancreas maybe). Then you're in life threatening territory.

[toothfairy73]

I've been having hot flushes for a while (I go from boiling to freezing) but I put it down to being perimenopausal (I'm 46). Ive also the last few weeks had really itchy skin (no rash) which again I put down to hormones