Low HB & Iron and positive fit

[Allthecatseverywhereallatonce]

Hi all. Not really sure what I am expecting from this post. I just feel like I am slowly going mad. My GP has just given me these results and referred me under the 2ww for colorectal cancer. I thought I was ok but I am not. I am 46 with 2 dc and I feel like I can't breathe, and I don't know how I can get through the next few weeks.
I only had bloods done to check if I was absorbing my HRT. Everything was ok and now it is not.

I'm sorry, no experience of this, but I can understand why you're freaking out.

Deep breaths. This doesn't mean you have cancer. But it's good your GP is taking this seriously and you have an urgent referral, which means you will have answers soon. Just focus on getting through 1 day at a time.

I assume you have no other worrying symptoms?

I was in a similar position earlier this year - it's bone chillingly terrifying being on that 2WW pathway.

Had CT scans/colonoscopy within the fortnight and ended up with a diagnosis of colitis. Obviously not something I'd want to have but so much better than what I assumed it was

Thank you both. I have had the occasional bleed but I was diagnosed with a fissure it is so infrequent and always predictable iyswim.
My dh has colitis so I know all about that too.
I am rather short of breath going upstairs but I guess it is related to my low hb.
My friend keeps telling me one day at a time, I just get this horrible feeling in my chest when I think about my dc.

@spiggydit do you mind sharing your symptoms? Did you have an elevated fit test?
I need to come off google.

I started having blood/mucus in my stool. Lost weight and was very tired. My FIT test was <400 Hb dropped

Dya know your feretin number?
When my feretin was only 8 - i found getting upstairs hard

Dya have the nhs app ?. Dya know your positive qfit number?
My positive qfit was down to bowel polyps - went on urgent pathway - had urgent colonoscopy & 3 polyps removed..

Also - all this aside - many brits are vit d deficient - vit d deficiency and feretin / iron deficiency = extra tired // extra struggle....

Count to 10..

I was so so scared and i lost a close relative 24 hrs after being told my results

I know how it feels

My pm 's are open..

Hi @worldwidetravel2017 That is such a lovely message, thank you. My ferritin is 6 my FIT is 29.
I just can't get my head together.

My qfit score was very similar to yours
Mine was bowel polyps

I cant promise - obviously - but - for those with mega bad news with scores - theirs are often way bigger

Im expecting // hoping you have bowel polyps

The ' prep '4 colonoscopy is worse than the actual procedure

My advice is to go no fibre 5 days before

They actually grade your prep - mine was graded excellent

Have you ever had a colonoscopy before ?

Whats dr said re feretin ? A score of 6 means many NHS trusts would offer iron IV - mine was 8 - and i was offered that...
You need it up asap

Honestly - wheatabix daily 4 iron

Snack on peas - apricots - raisins

Also you need good vit c for iron absorption - i have a better you oral 5mg spray and drs told me to take it with orange juice

I know im not a medic and i know its scary but honestly - many people with qfit scores like yours have bowel polyps - polyps bleeding effects iron - each of my3 were removed with different methods - one waa deemed medically large

Thank you again it really helps to read this. No action in my area for low ferritin. It is so difficult as I am a HCP and work 13 hour days so, exhausted by the end of it. I don't want to take time off as I think I will feel worse being on my own.

Not had a colonoscopy before but have looked after patients having it. I really appreciate the advice and will do the 5 days as you recommend. I can't imagine having to abandon due to poor prep.
I will get some Vit C spray.
I am on oral iron once per day and fortunately don't feel sick like some people.
Did you have to wait long for your colonoscopy?

No - i was told mid May
Colonoscopy end of May ..

Strawberries are good 4 iron too.

I had sedation but still watched on the monitor ..

If they find bowel polyps - theyll remove them there & then..

Eek at your long days - i hear you - last year i did 11 - 12 hr days as a Nanny
#earlyyears

Keep your chin up

I spoke to Macmillan as after colonoscopy i had to wait two weeks for biopsy results.

They took 2 biopsies per polyp

Macmillan were very good to talk to

I have anxiety and didnt like the wait for biopsy results etc.

I am speaking as a HCP and I despair about all the tests that are done on people!
My Mum always said’if it works don’t fix it’ I had a mammogram but refuse any invasive procedures looking at my cervix and bowel.Have not had a smear since my early 40s …definitely agree that females who have had many sexual partners should be checked out .
BIL went through a horrific 3 months thinking he had pancreatic cancer because of a mild shadow on his pancreas.He was allocated a cancer nurse,referred to Kings and our whole summer was put on hold …he is absolutely fine !

@Itsbecauseiamamum I don't really know how to reply, as a fellow HCP I agree to a certain extent but, I suddenly developed iron deficiency anaemia found during routine tests to check how I was absorbing my oestrogen.
What do you think should have happened? Not being goady just trying to understand where you are coming from. Obviously, I hope it is nothing sinister but, if it is or even if it is polyps there is only one Way to be sure and at that point I will need treatment.

I have very recent experience of this - just got my results today. 6 weeks ago I bought a FOB test off the shelf on a whim, and it was positive, which of course freaked me out. I've also been having some minor digestive issues (soft stool) for quite a long time, but had put it down to some medication I'm on. Spoke to a GP who didn't seem concerned but said he'd recommend I have a FIT test too. That came back positive, with a score of 80. Was then absolutely terrified. However, within a week of getting that result I'd had a colon capsule endoscopy, and today I was called and told that all they found were a couple of 'diminutive polyps' which don't require any follow-up.

If it's any consolation, both the GP and the nurse at the hospital told me that only a very small percentage of people referred through this route actually have bowel cancer. However, I know that when you're going through it, it's terrifying. My tips are DO NOT GOOGLE and whenever you find your mind starting to imagine the worst (such as when you start feeling sad when you think about your kids), have a word with yourself. Do something different. Force yourself to remember that there's literally no point in imagining the worst, you'll deal with that in the very unlikely scenario that you have to, but there's no benefit to putting yourself through misery now.

I have terrible health anxiety and someone recently recommended the book Mind over Mother by Anna Mathur. That has also been a big help for me.

Polyps need removing

One of mine was sessile serared etc

Already means they want to recheck site of removal
And i have higher percent chance of certain things in future

Im 36

Very rare for 36 yo to have as many as me.
And one was medically deemed as large and had a 50 percent chance of being cancerous but thankfully was not

Oh and we have a history of bowel cancer in immediate fam
Theyll always keep an eye now
Consultant said what they found was v rare 4 my age

The waiting part is horrendous - I think it’s the uncertainty and lack of being in control that really did my head in. I had an extended period between suspicion of cancer and final diagnosis. Things that I found helpful that you might want to try: journaling - writing down your thoughts and fears allows space for them - I read this back now to remind myself how far I’ve come. . Giving 20 mins worry time - when the catastrophising thoughts creep in - acknowledge them and then I used to give myself a few mins each day to explore them. Try and live in the moment - it’s a bit cliched but we all have limited time on this earth so try and focus on spending some quality time with family/friends/whatever gives you some small pleasure - walk in the park etc. Hang on in there.

Ace advice - months ago i bought a write it down let it go book ^

@Allthecatseverywhereallatonce
Do you have a date for your colonoscopy? Or have you already had it done now?
Wondering how you got on?

I have mine booked for 18 Dec, I'm very worried too.

There i was - writing above in early nov
Late nov they found more polyps
Awaiting biopsy results

@RhubarbCustard7 I had my colonoscopy and gastroscopy 2 weeks ago. They found one polyp which has been removed and now awaiting histology. The procedure was no bother the bowel prep is difficult.

I hope the results are good for you.

What was your symptoms?

I have had persistent stomach aches for 10 weeks now. They get worse after eating anything. I've tried eliminating certain foods and eating clean and bland foods but the pain is the same. I'm very tired, and have had blood in stools frequently but not always. I have bloating too, and either constipated for a week or a have to go after every meal.
Been a bit worried this week and not looking forward to the colonoscopy.

You may have non cancerous bowel polyps

Do you know your Qfit test score?

Fiit poop test was only 20. Bloods ok except something to do with my immune system being low and raised white cells. Low iron, but not too bad.

As I said main symptom is every meal I'm suffering after. Pellet type poop with pink mucus.

When my qfit was around 20 it wad bowel polyps

Try not to worry

Normally if its something v bad - normally Qfit score is higher

Best to cut fibre 4 days b4 colonoscopy

They grade your prep ..

White bread - white pasta - .... tuna etc

Like others I was sent off swiftly for follow up- panic stations - low ferritin, HB on the floor and I was weak as a newborn kitten. Streaks of blood in stool but very mild. Like you OP I thought well this is it now.

Urgent colonoscopy was first. I had diverticulitis and several polyps some of which had perforated and had caused slow bleeding resulting in the weakness and anaemia. It took a few follow up colonoscopies to snare and remove the offending polyps but thankfully they managed it. Great GI surgeon, hats off. None were sinister.

So one day I thought it was all over, and a couple of weeks later I was sent home with a three year follow up to keep an eye on the polyps, which can turn cancerous.

I do hope that is the outcome for you. Wishing you the best.