Blood test abnormal want to repeat

[anon3738]

Sorry this is a long one and I will start by saying I have health anxiety.

I went for a hypertension check about 5 weeks ago and they did routine bloods. Around a week later I get a call saying something had come back in the results and a phone appointment had been made for 04/06 (yesterday) I googled and obviously leukaemia and lymphoma was the top search. So I convince myself this is what’s wrong.
so I get the call yesterday she said they think I’m anaemic and have a b12 deficiency I asked her is it serious and if they think I have leukaemia. She said they want to do a further blood test on Sunday. I asked her why and she said to repeat the blood test. I said again are you testing for leukemia. She said we think it’s iron and b12 but have to be sure. Is this right? Is there a specific test for iron and b12 because I’m scared they’re testing me for something there not telling me about. It’s starting my anxiety off they want to do further testing rather than just giving me iron tablets. I asked what if it comes back I’m not anaemic and she told me that’s when they’d do further investigations. She also said platelets were high but normal in overweight people. Is this something to worry about as well. I’m so worried about it all she really want reassuring at all 😭

It sounds like they just want to check if you are deficient in b12 and iron, I wouldn't be worrying about leukaemia. B12 deficiency can cause all sorts of symptoms, I too have to get tested next week, and its making me feel very anxious so I understand how you feel, but anxiety is also a symptom of b12 deficiency. Hope your okay

Can you not see your results on the NHS app?

But yes if they are interested in B12 and anaemia, they aren't concerned you have leukaemia.

She may also have not been massively reassuring as when you see hundreds and hundreds of blood results, you just don't get excited by minor issues.

Having to have a retest seems to be a major cause of anxiety for you while your clinician would probably very surprised to hear you reacted like this as the abnormalities you are describing are very common.

I had routine blood tests that showed low vit d and b12. They were both pretty low and they requested a retest a week later for the b12. I have injections every 12 weeks now.

Had this with anaemia. Industrial quantities of prescription iron tablets soon sorted me out.

It'll be what they said. Iron and b12. Not leukaemia.

Very common in women of menstruating age especially if heavy periods. I wouldn't worry at all. You might need folic acid too as it's another one that women can be low in (and nothing to do with pregnancy although it's important for those trying to conceive/pregnant too)

No need to be concerned at all. You'll get pills and be totally fine.

Fellow worrier checking in! Receptionists aren't always helpful when it comes to reassuring about test results but it's also not their job so I can see why. I've been in tears down the phone over this lol

Anaemia & B12 deficiencies are very common in women, so common that they don't consider it worth worrying about even at the point you can barely function. If you're peri aged or have the copper coil & heavy periods it could easily be caused by that.

Initially they are likely to put you on iron tablets & retest you after a little while depending on exactly what's low. If you don't keep hold of that additional iron they should investigate why. Don't bother with things like floradix if your levels are very low, it won't even touch the sides. You need the tablets & to be consistent with them. If your levels are REALLY low (you'd feel horrific if they were) then you can try pushing for an iron infusion (simple IV bag process, very unstressful) which is like some kind of miracle & really should be used more often.

Can you see your results online via the NHS app or did they tell you what the levels actually are?

All the above is to reassure you from someone who's been through this process multiple times & has barely controlled health anxiety 😊