Itching - can I get a blood test at GPs?

[DwangelaForever]

I'm 35+5 and was at maternity triage today due to upper abdo pain and tightenings, abdo pain subsided with paracetamol and the tightenings subsided when pain did.

Fast forward a few hours later my urine is still pretty dark even though I've drunk loads of water today (about 2.5 ltrs) and I'm very itchy which I know can be a sign of ICP thanks to dr google I'm now terrified!

If I go to my GPs first thing tomorrow for open surgery can I request a blood test for liver function? Hospital didn't seem to care today as everything subsided but this itching is insane tonight! I had originally felt my upper abdo pain this morning was gallbladder related

I would call 111 and go with whatever they suggest, back to maternity or to GPs. I think they will say you need to be seen quite quickly so maternity unit probably best. It also depends on your GP surgery and how they work because some places will very easily be able to book you in for a quick blood test and others like mine have a system where blood test slots get booked up days in advance and any emergency tests have to go to walk in clinic at the hospital anyway so you may as well go to maternity in that case. I would definitely push for the test though, and you should be monitored carefully as symptoms of OC can also be similar to those of pre-eclampsia IIRC. Hope you feel better soon.

Speak to your community midwife who can arrange Liver Function Tests at the GP surgery.

All my ICP blood tests were done through the maternity unit at the hospital as it was quicker than having it done via the GP.

If it is ICP, don't worry, it's undiagnosed ICP that can be dangerous, once diagnosed you can be monitored and have meds to try to improve liver function or an early induction - my DS was induced at 35 weeks.

You need to ring the unit they’ll have you back in for bloods xx

Thanks everyone I had to contend with a vomiting toddler last night so just held out overnight but going in this morning to maternity for a blood test. Still itching it's horrible 😭

@FogCutter it was ICP, got admitted to ward for steroids and potential delivery within 48 hours, I'm only 36 weeks!!

Gosh what a shock for you, bet you weren't expecting to meet your baby so soon! I hope all goes well, at 35/36 weeks baby is 'well cooked' (to quote my consultant!) so you'll both be fine.

ICP deliveries can be quick so be warned (DS was born 50 minutes after my first twinge!)

Good luck OP. Have you had your growth scan to give you an indication of babies weight? If it puts your mind at ease I had mine the other day (also 36 weeks) and they estimated baby weighing just shy of 6lbs which she said was slightly below average for that gestation.

36 weeks is fine don't worry.

You're in the right place. X

They've changed their mind re 48 hours but I'm getting my second steroid tonight and I have daily blood tests and monitoring, they're hoping to stretch to 38 weeks but it could change on a daily basis