Any Doctors out there who can advise me about what my Dad has been told?

[Finbar]

He is in his 7's and of the generation where you really don't question the GP.
He has had a dry barking cough for a few weeks plus feeling very lethargic and not eating. The fact he even went to the GP meant he was obviously in pain.
Chest was clear and urine test revealed some protein. Was given antibiotics.

He went back today. Says he feels better - but the hoarse voice is still there. Doctor says chest is clear, but is sending him off for a chest x ray. Also she is doing another blood test because..and I'm quoting my Dad here..." there was some infection higher than it should be in my blood"

I don't know whether he means his white cell count was up or that there is some sort of infection actually in his blood.

If anyone has any experience or opinions on this - I'd be so grateful to hear them. I am rather upset by it all and I'm not sure why.

Sorry to hear your Dad is unwell.

Not a doctor, but it sounds like the GP is being thorough.

It does sound like GP is repeating bloods because something is elevated- prob white cells if he's had an infection.

I can hear in your post that you are worried- most likely this is a chest infection, but GP is checking all bases.

Thanks for you kind post.
The thing that is bothering me is the cough doesn't appear to have been caused by an infection - and although he has now stopped the worst of teh coughing, you can hear the hoarseness in his voice still - its not cleared.

It's so hard waiting for results of tests. You can end up thinking of all the worst case scenarios.

I would think antibiotics were given because there may have been an infection. My Nan was left hoarse for a while after a viral throat a few years ago.

Would your Dad let you come to his follow up visit?

He might - but he lives 170 miles away. Prob why I'm feeling so bad about it all.

I dashed up a couple of weeks ago jsut to cook and ensure he was eating. My Mum is still around BTW - jut not terribly practical or helpful in these situations. Long story.

Very difficult for you being so far away.

Are there good local services to support older people in their area? It may be good to look into this now so you have info for when/if it's needed. Maybe the GP surgery could put you in touch with volunteers/care agencies in the area.

Just to add, its probably either his white cell count or his CRP (C-reactive protein, I think - I'm no expert) or sedimentation rate: both those two just show if there's a higher than normal level of inflammation going on somewhere. Very general.

Its good the doc is being thorough, even though the odds are good for a viral infection (cough going away sounds reassuring) adn yes, its very hard being so far away. My uncle is ill, and 200 miles away, and I soo wish he was closer!

Hi, I'm a GP. Elibean is spot on - your Dad's test was probably his white cell count, CRP or viscosity (similar to sedimentation rate). All these are very non-specific and I would expect them to be raised in anyone with an infection. It's nothing to worry about - it shows the immune system is working normally. The protein in the urine is of no significance if it is a small amount - it probably came from his skin.

Older people tend to be hit harder by infections so try not to worry too much - there is every chance your dad will be back to normal as soon as the antibiotics kick in. Having said that it sounds as if his GP is being very sensible and checking to make sure that he has nothing serious.

it could be his IgG or IgM which would show if he has had a recent infection or an on going one.

Unlikely that a GP would do immunoglobulins as a first line investigation for cough. Are you a doctor, alypaly?

work in the medical profession........

sorry past tense,worked sorry

Not a doctor then? I just think it's good to be clear about your background if giving any medical advice. That's not to say that only doctors should give advice, of course, only that it's important to make your level of expertise clear.

Actually IgM and IgG are not usually raised initially in infection unless the patient has previously been exposed to the same antigen.

no not a doctor nor am i professing to be.
Actually wasnt giving advice ,was just making a comment.

Actually IgM is produced after a person has been exposed to an antigen for an extended time or is exposed to an antigen for the second time and if my own Gp had actually tested me for them ,i wouldnt have been ill for 3 more years and wouldnt have had to have IV immunoglobulins.

as the OP said If anyone has any experience or opinionson this.

I would always advise anyone to go to a good GP whatever comment i made about medical issues

" Actually IgM is produced after a person has been exposed to an antigen for an extended time or is exposed to an antigen for the second time "

Yes that's what I said. Not raised initially unless previous exposure. Which is why it's unlikely that finbar's father's GP has checked it at this stage. It would be a useful investigation further down the line if things are not improving.

I've just noticed that you have made a few inaccurate statements on other health related threads. For example that aspirin is contra-indicated in asthma - it's not. It should be used with caution but 19/20 asthmatics can use it with no problem

so let me just clarify this ,jybay,do you expect everyone who makes a comment on any medical issue,like cut out dairy,try this product,try that product, to then clarify that they are not a GP or consultant.
If GP's were so good at their job then there would be no need for medical threads on MN...would there.

Goodnight!!!!!!

are you stalking me then. Try telling the pharmacists that i have worked with to recommend aspirin to an asthmatic. I can guarantee they wont.

didnt notice you asking DeirdreB qualifications in the piles thread and other posters on your other threads.

Apologies Finbar for this tangent that has occured .Really sorry it has side tracked from your original question. I hope you get some answers about your dad and sorry for trying to help.
Maybe we should all say nothing at all and leave it to the so called professionals. Where would we be then i wonder[hmmm]

I'm sure you were trying to help. I'm just conscious that Finbar might become concerned that the GP had not done an IgG or IgM when - in fact - they would not have been appropriate at this stage.

jybay and alypaly - IgM is the first line antibody to be produced. IgG is the second one, produced in a second or subsequent exposure. It takes a few days to produce IgM as it is a large molecule that needs to be produced de novo; IgG is made via memory B cells and is much smaller and faster to produce.

Now, it is very unlikely that immunoglobulins or even viscosity would be checked as a first investigation - the GP would have done a full blood count to give the white blood cell levels, which, if raised, would indicate an infection. Sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein are indicators of inflammation and are also a common first investigative blood test.

my credentials, FWIW = MSc in Immunology and 10 years working in haematology.

thumbwitch can i start another thread to have a chat to you about iv immunoglobulins as you might be able to give me some advice

here is a link thumbwitchwww.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/918766-thumbwitch-can-you-dvise-me

Finbar - I really hope that you find some tranquility with this matter. From my opinion what your father said seems to me the 'old fashioned' way of putting something. My great nan who is 94 is exactly the same -tho u will never see her go to a GP!
I think what he was trying to say is that the blood test results indicated the c-reactive protien levels came back high...which as others have said shows up when inflamation occurs. It is also believed to play another important role in innate immunity, as an early defense system against infections.

CRP rises up to 50,000-fold in acute inflammation, such as infection. It rises above normal limits within 6 hours, and peaks at 48 hours. Its half-life is constant, and therefore its level is mainly determined by the rate of production (and hence the severity of the precipitating cause).

There is another reason why a GP may test for CPR in an elder person with an illness and that would be to rule out heart disease. A highly elevated level of CPR, over 3.0mg the more likely it is that this person may develop cardiovascular disease - heart attack, stroke..in the case of some people where there blood pressure is sky high. Other reasons high CRP levels may be found are:
Cancer
Connective tissue disease
Infection
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Lupus
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatic fever
Tuberculosis

Now to cut to the point - I think, in MY opinion that your dad may have a virus...whats causing that virus can only be determined through a blood test for an exact illness - so they would have to test for several things. You can kind of rule out TB if he seems to be getting better and no coughing up large amounts of blood. Arthritis is a possible cause but along with the coughing, Id say it may well could be a lung infection/bronchitis. Im on antibiotics at the momnet for a throat infection - and cause im so young , dont think doc could really rationalise doing a CRP test on me lol...;)

I wouldnt be too concerned with all of this information though...but it could be an indicator for you to help your dad (i know he lives far away) to maintain a somewhat healthier lifestyle. Does he smoke?
you could try get him a social carer that will visit the house as many times as you want them too in a week to make sure he eats a healthy meal/gets out of the house???