Question About Aneamia

[ferlew]

Had a blood test earlier today, out of hours GP rang not long ago, and told me the resukt of the blood test was that I am quite aneamic. He wants me to ring surgery in the morning for further investigations. They will have the results by then he says.
Apart from the fact they rang me at 10pm which I find odd, he also said my haemoglobin was 70 and ought to be 120 whatevers, I don't understand. He said I may need bowel investigation. Why on earth would I need that.
Worried sick now. (Probably over nothing)

[Mamyalynne]

Try not to panic, a further investigation to discover why and then deal with what that shows.

I agree a late night call must seem alarming but probably catching up on the days results.

[ferlew]

Ok, thanks Mamya, ruddy scary at that time of night, and when you're on your own isn't it. Thanks again.

[Mamyalynne]

Keep in touch, never be alone with your worries.x

[anneasquith]

What a strange time to call ferlew, but try not to worry and see gp tomorrow .

[kvalidir]

Try not to worry, my grandfather came up horribly anaemic, they did all sorts of tests on him, including bowel tests, couldn't find the cause, whacked him on iron tablets and he was fine for a bit then got anaemic again and this cycle has repeated for the last 3 years or so, but he's not seriously ill with it and they seem to be happily disregarding it now.Also some medications can cause anaemia, so I wouldn't worry too much, good job they are so on the ball xxx

[Sqad]

In a nutshell..........you are anaemic and the commonest cause by far, is that you are bleeding for you gut (stomach or bowel...piles are a common cause.
if you feel well, then don't worry but prepare yourself for a camera investigation of your bowel ( Colonoscopy and gastroscopy)

The post of kvalidir above is not an uncommon scenario in the over 65's.

[ferlew]

Many thanks Squad, I must admit to feeling light headed, short of breath and BP a tad low using a home machine. 107/54 with pulse 98bpm, which is why I presented at GP in the first place, plus episodes of Raynauds of late, excruciating pain in fingers.
As you can imagine I have been googling and it mentions aspirin, I am on those daily.
Guess I'll have to wait.
Thank you.

[ferlew]

I wasn't Anne, I was just reaching out for reassurance and all replies have been gratefully received :)

[anneasquith]

Speechless, AB. Rule broken !!!

[Sqad]

"I must admit to feeling light headed, short of breath and BP a tad low using a home machine. 107/54 with pulse 98bpm, which is why I presented at GP in the first place, plus episodes of Raynauds of late, excruciating pain in fingers. "

All classical signs and symptoms of an anemia.

[murraymints]

dad had iron infusions periodically for iron defficiency, seems to be quite a commmon complaint in later life..at least it has come to the doc's attention ,and is very treatable so please try not to fret xx

[SIRandyraven]

I didn't want to reply , because don't want to frighten you.
However my symptoms for Myeloma were first detected via me being mildly Aneamic and I also suffered from severe Raynauds and pain on fingers and toes when they went numb. I also went through the scope tests , top and bottom into stomach upper and lower.
Myeloma is normally hard to diagnose and missed by GP.
So all I'm saying is that the odds of this being Myeloma are very slim and this is probably nothing to worry about. But do insist later in disagnosis if nothing is found on a full blood test that includes a light chain test.

[Sqad]

"I didn't want to reply , because don't want to frighten you. "

Well you have scared me.

[SIRandyraven]

My numbness due to,cold got so bad that my fingers and toes would go numb even when temp in room was 20c.
Also tongue would go numb when eating ice cream. This was progressive and my Myeloma was caught at an early stage.
As soon as I started chemo at end of 1st 4 week cycle the numbness issues literally went overnight. It took a bit longer for the haemoglobin level to recover aka 89 to 130 last test.

I was thinking should I mention this illness and frighten OP or just keep stump. But recently Myeloma UK has been vocal on early detection of Myeloma and how it is missed by GP.
As I mentioned I went through two scope tests , CT scans , MRI and eventually refereed to haematologist via gastroenterologist that was first port of call.

The odds of this being Myeloma are very remote.

[ferlew]

"Speechless, AB. Rule broken !!! "
If I broke any rules it wasn't deliberate. Sorry Anne.

[anneasquith]

So sorry ferlew my post was not directed at you, I'm sorry if I upset you. Good luck today at gp .

[ferlew]

No you didn't Anne, and thank you - I have to ring again after 11am.

[ferlew]

Phonecall from GP, I am booked into the local Ambulatory Care Unit at 9am in the morning for a flipping blood transfusion, then further tests, bring your knitting and a packed lunch she says, you'll be there about 6 hours.
All a bit of a whirlwind eh? But pleased to be getting sorted so quickly. Thanks all. :)

[bednobs]

Hopefully you will feel better quickly