Tests requested and I am scared!

[Lookthereisarobin]

I found out last year, during a blood test for something else, that I am anemic. I was put on iron tabs. Iron levels have increased, no longer classed as anemic, however I still have low iron stores.

Spoke to a Dr today who has said I need a whole lot of tests to find out what is causing it. Original Dr said they thought it was heavy periods, which I do have, so this is out of the blue.

I have to have a stool test for bowel cancer, an ultrasound scan of my womb to look for fibroids and a physical examination from the GP. We have just moved too, so I am going to have to register with a new GP and explain all of this, although GP I spoke to today has done the scan referral.

I am really scared. I have health anxiety so that automatically makes me go to the worst case scenario - I am terrified I have bowel cancer. A family friend died quickly from that before Christmas. I know they are being thorough and doing their jobs but it doesn't stop my head from going at 90mph, I have young DC and I don't want to leave them.

Lots of women are iron deficient especially if you are of menstruating age. I had it after my second child was born, no reason was ever found apart from heavy periods (got a coil) and the fact I had a blocked kidney so my vitamin D and iron stores were low. Now my kidney is fixed they are slowly going up and I'm feeling better. What I'm trying to say is there are lots of benign reasons why you might be iron deficient especially if you have heavy periods. I had the womb scan and nothing was seen except they said my lining was thick but apparently that could just be normal for me. Actually addressing the iron deficiency can help lighten periods as well as it's like a vicious cycle.

Thank you for responding and sharing your experience. I'm glad you are on the mend and feeling better. I have been on the iron tablets for a couple of months now - I didn't actually feel ill in the first place which is why I find it even more worrying.

I think the waiting is the worst part and the worrying about the 'whatifs'

They are just being super efficient. Most women just get fobbed off with anaemia because we're women and have periods. The fact that your Gp is being careful is fantastic - so rather than letting it fuel your anxiety could you reframe it as being a good thing that you're being checked thoroughly?

That's true, I should think like that really. With the health anxiety I am always worrying about my health but never actually want any tests as I am too scared of the results. Ridiculous really.

If they do find something like fibroids they could treat it. I think it is good they are checking properly.

Also the earlier these things getting treated the better

Try not to worry. I randomly discovered I was anemic when having a blood test for something else. It’s come out of nowhere. I’ve had a endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound and nothing has been found but always best to check just in case

You sound like me OP, I have terrible health anxiety. I need to have a blood test to check my thyroid levels etc and I'm bloody terrified they will see I'm anaemic or something. Bloody silly really.

Hi OP, I had similar experience. Turned out I had coeliac disease. That was 10 years ago. I'm trying to pluck up the courage to have my annual bloods done. I hate it! Worrying that they'll find something else. But like previous poster said it really is better to know. Good luck! They are just being thorough.

@Twins4M wow that is a lot of tests! I am glad they didn't find anything untoward

@lollipoprainbow it's mad isn't it, you want to know everything is okay but you don't want to know if anything isn't okay!

@nowtygaffer that's interesting, it's good that it was something easily treatable. I totally understand the blood test anxiety - best of luck

Exactly the same happened to me. Sudden and significant drop in iron levels. GP rang me and scared the life out of me with her questions and then decided I needed an urgent two week pathway referral. Was petrified for the whole two weeks. Turned out they found nothing serious. A few polyps and a hiatus hernia but didn't explain iron drop and still no reason for it. I wonder if it is menopause related.

@ClannadSinger you poor thing, that must have been really scary for you. All sorts of things go through your head don't they, scenarios like your own funeral etc, it's horrible. I'm glad nothing sinister was found.

I have no idea why last post went bold!