Blood test help, please.

[MorriseysGladioli]

I've been struggling with various issues for over a year now, and my gp has arranged various blood tests, which he informed me have come back normal.

A few weeks ago, I had an appointment with a locum (phone) when he stated that some results were slightly askew, so I asked for a copy of them.
I was surprised to see how many are askew, and wondered if they could shed some light on why I feel so unrelenting terrible; every day is like facing a mountain to climb!

Hopeful bump..

Have you spoken to the locum. Best if you speak to them as blood tests are only a snapshot in time and only are a starting point for diagnosis. I am not a doctor and even if someone medically qualified was on here they’d have to do other stuff by process of elimination (I am a scientist and I have family members who are gps who rarely comment if I ask). Looks like you are showing slightly higher liver enzyme, low platelets ( do you take any meds) and your white cells are up - could be infection / autoimmune but as I say - see your GP!

I've seen him a few times.
He has sent me to have my knees xrayed, and now to the sleep clinic (who won't see me if they deem it not necessary, which I don't think it is)
Meds are painkillers, and high blood pressure ones.

I think I'll have to keel over before anyone listens!

CRP and ESR results suggest you have some inflammation

Yes, it seems I have something that's secretly inflamed.
As long as all the askew results are minor, it looks as if it will remain a mystery.

Have you had any blood tests for antibodies linked to different autoimmune diseases? Might be worth considering if you have joint aches and pains, tiredness etc.

Those are exactly my problems.
I'm assuming everything has been tested.
My gp just keeps sighing and telling me there isnt anything he can do, as nothing shows up.
I'm literally just about functioning, though.
I dont think I can carry on much longer.

Have you had your vitamin D level checked? deficiency in that can give you aching bones and crushing fatigue

Unless it's part of the usual gamut of tests, then I probably haven't.
I did start taking vit b as someone suggested it could be that, but the pills made me so sick.
Thanks, by the way, I really appreciate others' input as I'm just stumped as far as beginning to guess what's wrong.
It feels serious though (and I'm not a fuss maker)

It's generally part of the usual 'fatigue' tests I think, along with ferritin, folate, b12, Tsh, but none of those seem to be in your results. It looks like the tests they have done are querying rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis/joint pains rather than fatigue (which I just assumed from the mountain to climb comment?).

I have so many symptoms.
Pain, fatigue, swelling of legs, and now arms and chest area, red bloodshot eyes.
You name it, I've got it!
I didnt post pics of the blood results that were in the normal range, but I'll have a look.

I have high alkaline phosphatase, and have done for years, so can tell you about that. It can be related to liver, bone or intestines. There is a further blood test they can do to determine which. They should be doing that I think, although I don't know how out of range it needs to be for them to act. As a result of mine, over the years, I have had bone scans, liver scans and cameras down throat and endoscopy. I have gluten intolerance which has caused fibromyalgia. I also have Hashimotos and very low vitamin D levels. But that result I would query actually. Different GPs can gave a whole new take on things, so maybe try moving if you're getting no help.

But maybe look up the many hundreds of symptoms of fibromyalgia and see if you relate. I get bursitis of knees, can't sleep all night without medication, pain which can be arms, legs, hands, feet, neck, back, hips. Swollen hands. Costochondritis, which is a kind of chest pain. If it seems to ring true ask for a referral to a rheumatologist. If you're menopausal I would ask for HRT and see if it helps. Fibro tends to affect those who've had extreme stress. Also common if you've got IBS.

Yes I've been looking at fibro symptoms (hundreds!)
Sadly, it's been how I spend my leisure time these days.
I'm fed up with myself for going on about it all.
I certainly fit the fibro profile.

Usually a rheumatologist won't diagnose it without ruling out other things, so you will at least get checked for other illnesses by them.

Thank you.
That's exactly the kind of helpful advice I've hoped for, because I've been wondering where to start with it all.

Have a look at MCAS as well as there's a lot of overlap with Fibro symptoms. This link has a handy table for comparing symptoms. Sorry for the awful url https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326426655IssItReallyyFibromyalgiaRecognizinggMastCelllActivationOrthostaticcTachycardiaanddHypermobility

That's interesting Bonne, I've not heard of that before.

Me neither.
Thank you!

Any possibility these are menopausal symptoms? Incredibly I’ve only recently become aware of how varied the impact of hormonal depletion is in the body. Anecdotally I’ve heard of several women with diagnoses of fibromyalgia who found symptoms hugely alleviated by hrt. Doctors can often ignore or minimise the impact of the menopause on women’s health.

None of them are significantly abnormal and CRP and ESR are in normal ranges, so not suggestive of inflammation as a PP says.

Thank you, too, @ilgofnwnw
At least I feel listened to now.
I'm a long way out the other side of menopause troubles, thankfully, @KittyTheHare.

@Weedsgalore

I have high alkaline phosphatase, and have done for years, so can tell you about that. It can be related to liver, bone or intestines. There is a further blood test they can do to determine which. They should be doing that I think, although I don't know how out of range it needs to be for them to act. As a result of mine, over the years, I have had bone scans, liver scans and cameras down throat and endoscopy. I have gluten intolerance which has caused fibromyalgia. I also have Hashimotos and very low vitamin D levels. But that result I would query actually. Different GPs can gave a whole new take on things, so maybe try moving if you're getting no help.

Have you looked into SIBO? There’s lots of research going on just now into whether this is what fibro is. I had fibro for 7 years, got tested privately for SIBO and after treatment I’m fine. I do have gluten sensitivity as I had the overgrowth of bacteria for so long, but hopefully now I have fixed that it will start to heal and I can eat gluten again.