Is this HELLP syndrome? How do I get any answers?

[Fluffydino21]

Having a very stressful pregnancy which only seems to be getting worse.

My midwife did some bloods last week - I believe at the request of the hospital / consultant. Partly because I've had low platelets throughout and then bloods for liver function (she didn't explain why she was doing this or what she was looking for).

Platelets are still low (130,000) and now worryingly the liver enzymes (ALT / AST) are 47.

GP receptionist called and said they didn't know why these bloods had been taken or what they were looking for but the GP said they needed to see me in the next week or two. Didn't tell me what was wrong. I was like: I'm literally going on holiday, bag's in the car and I'm about to drive off. And they said it was fine to go and they'd see me the week after.

I've since seen what the blood results are on the app though and when I looked up low platelets and raised liver enzymes I was really shocked to see it indicated HELLP syndrome which is really serious and life threatening.

Obviously I'm now on the holiday which is not ideal at all. I'm panicking. I've tried calling my hospital and they refused to put me through to the consultant and fobbed me off, midwives also fobbed me off, and now waiting for a GP to call back but I appreciate they don't even know why these bloods were requested by the hospital or what's going on and aren't experts in this.

I have always had low platelets even before pregnancy so this might just be my normal level and it's been lower earlier in pregnancy. I have no physical symptoms of HELLP and no raised blood pressure / protein in urine but I'm worried that's why all the medical professionals are fobbing me off. It says on the Pre-eclapsia website that often HELLP doesn't have high blood pressure / protein in urine.

I honestly don't know what to do or how much to panic here. Should I come all the way home and show up at the hospital so they take me seriously? Try and get somewhere with the hospital here?? In UK but far from home. 25 weeks.

Try not to panic, I'd take it as a positive that it's make an appointment in the next week or two if they were concerned about something serious it would have been seen us today or you need see your consultant.

I would probably give your midwife/maternity ward a call and ask for some advice

Platelets of 130,000 is only mildly low and not worrying on its own as they often drop in pregnancy, especially if yours are always on the lower end to start with. The ALT/AST of 47 is elevated but again not always indicative of anything nefarious on its own. You’re right that together they could indicate something brewing, but in the absence of any other symptoms or signs of HELLP the usual management would be to see you again in a couple weeks to monitor it unless you start getting other symptoms like high BP, upper right abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, swelling of extremities or face, etc..

Can you get a GP or midwife appointment for when you get back? If not and you’re worried then go to the MAU to get checked out when you return. And A&E if you develop any of the above symptoms while you’re away.

I wonder why the midwife did the test, have you had high blood pressure at any of your appointments, have a high BMI or any other underlying conditions?

Thank you for your kind and calm responses it’s really appreciated.

The midwife seemed to do the test because she’d been told to by the consultant / hospital. So it’s a bit of a mystery at the moment why or what they were looking for as they haven’t commented at all on the result. No high blood pressure, normal weight.

In the end a kind GP called and they said they don’t think it’s HELLP because the low platelet issue seems to be longstanding. That was reassuring but they want to do a follow up liver test next week. I really hope it just resolves on its own.

I hope so too, could just be one of those things where you get a random elevated blood result that then resolves. It’s good you’re being seen again next week to keep an eye on it though. Try to enjoy your holiday and take care.

Hopefully it's something that resolves itself but in the meantime it's good that they are doing regular bloods to check on things.

Any recent bugs? I only ask as my sister has elevated liver blood results after glandular fever and my dad after suspected wiles disease. In both cases repeat bloods a month later were back to normal.

I had flu but that was a few months ago.. so not sure that would be the cause.

Have started itching which doesn't feel a good sign 😟but everyone seems to think that's all in my head.

I did end up speaking to my midwife but she's adamant ALT / liver enzymes goes up for everyone in pregnancy... which I'm pretty certain is incorrect.

Not sure why you've involved thr GPfor bloods done by the midwife but easiest to phone maternity day unit at your hospital

This is a very stressful situation and not helpful to reply if you cba to actually read the post.

I didn't involve the GP. Someone sent the blood results to the GP which has confused them. The GP called me. I tried to chase up with both midwife and hospital who fobbed me off completely. Then had no choice but to just communicate with the GP as they're the only ones willing to speak to me, or investigate this in any way or even seem to be willing to look at the test results.