Can someone advise on blood results please

[Missytrouble]

Dp recently had some blood tests for ferritin level, full blood count, CA 99 and CEA. He had a GP letter yesterday asking him to have repeat ferritin and full blood count in four weeks.

So does this mean that the other tests are ok for the CA 99 and CEA?

Sorry, that should be CA 199.

Bump please.

Am v worried about him.

Sorry, I know nothing about these blood tests. But wanted to give you another bump.

Err .....before I put my foot in it & say too much what is the Gp looking for did he say?

I would think that the other two are ok or maybe as expected? Maybe the others are inconclusive so need repeated.

I dont know if your DP has actually been diagnosed with something, but afaik the first two are ordered if you have symptoms which suggest the possibility of cancer.

Well dp has had prolonged change of bowel habit. Also rectal bleeding and abdominal pain.
I am aware what the tests are for. Too much knowledge is a bad thing sometimes!

ferritin level is an indicator of anemia and full blood count also often ordered to check for anemia, or other indicators of underlying problem eg. problem with platelet count, raised white blood cell indicating infection/virus etc. etc. If they were very concerned they'd have booked him an appointment and got him in again sooner than 4 weeks, but if concerned you could ask for phone consult with GP?

I would agree that if something extremly worrying had come back then DH would not be waiting 4 weeks for appointment.

He has an appt for a sigmondscope ?sp on the 21st Feb. His GP is thorough.
I can't help worrying though.

loii I was trying not to worry the OP!!!

CA99 & CEA are cancer markers tests

This does NOT mean he has it though, your GP is doing all the routine tests the consultant would ask for & is being clever as that'll save time when he gets to the hospital.

The sigmoidoscope (camera inserted GENTLY into the back passage) will tell him more.

Worrying for you though Missy- I hope all is OK.

I was trying to be subtle, sure OP would have googled them anyway

I'm sure she would!!

Thanks you two.

Yes I had googled the tests.

I haven't told dp what the tests are for, just the blood count and ferritin. No point us both worrying.

Thanks again.

Try not to worry yourself too much, GP sounds pretty thorough so he in good hands.

Fingers crossed for you that everything turns out ok, keep us posted.

Lou
x

Hi Missytrouble-I'm a GP. The first thing I would say is to keep an open mind and don't leap to conclusions-my job as a GP is to think of all the possible causes and exclude them-sometimes you can do that with a simple blood test, other times you have to refer for more invasive tests.
The other thing, to anser your direct question, is that probably the CEA and CA 19-9 have not come back yet-in my area they are batched because they are uncommonly requested , but the FBC and ferritin will be turned around in a day or two.The most likley reason for a 4 weeks repeat is that they are inconclusive but possibly borderline-a 4 week repeat will either show a trend or confirm that it is normal for him.
HTH

Well done Dr never!!

Thank you neverenough.

I did wonder if the results would be back so quickly.

I am trying not to jump to conclusions about it all.

Thanks again.

It's natural to think all sorts Missy- fingers crossed for you both xx

Hi,
Bossybritches I have just catted you, friend of Tripleys.
I am very scared tonight as my DH was told today he has a growth in his bowel. He has had a change in bowel habit for moths, would not go to the docs until in Jan after seeing a little blood in the loo I made him. He was quickly referred to a specialist, seen, had more blood taken then had a barium enema done, that was just over two weeks ago. We were away at halfterm and came back to a message from the hospital, they needed to see him. We went today, and they said he has a growth, cannot say what it is, he has to go for a further camera test and a CT within 7/10 days, and they have said I should go with him. He is coping with the news as I would expect, carry on as normal, but I am scared, really scared. Dh is 11 years older than me, I am almost 56 and he is 67, we have 10 yr old triplets after losing our son in 1994, Matthew would be 29 now. Life has been such a rollercoaster, I am so scared that our life is about to be turned upside down again.

Please try not to worry too much - I have a very dear friend who discovered (quite by chance) that he had bowel cancer - yes very scarry, but he was operated on and is now doing really well. This may not even be the case with your DH, he may not have cancer hopefully, but there is plenty of hope.

Keep strong and keep talking - it does help.

Take care Xxx

Triplets YHM xx

Sorry BB, still trying to work out YHM!

snigger

You have mail-sorry!

Ah!