Elevated D-dimer without further research

[mseliza]

I have suffered from pleurisy and have been suffering from worsening shortness of breath and a tickly cough for some time now. My D-dimer level is 700, the cut-off value is 500. The doctor told me that according to a calculation, further (imaging) examination is unnecessary. But a blood level is elevated for a reason, right? I'm quite worried.

[Grumpy26548]

Hi Melisa

My name is Sherrill & I too have this I had Xrays Scans but no contrast so I have to have a pet scan (frightening) lol as to check my lungs again! The doctor I was under in 2017 told me nothing about the scan results as such but I changed doctor in the last few months but was told I have a nodule on my right lung! I get very breathless so I please make source your doctor does more than just keeping an eye on your breathlessness! I am not trying to scare you! But please see if you can have more tests to find out why you are so breathless! I too have asthma from early 20's! I have COPD is this how we say it! So new doctor told me there's a change in my last scan! Please stress to your GP exactly how you feel it's your body & only you know how you feel! I wish you the very best & I hope your health improves for you! Take care regards Sherrill

[mseliza in reply to Grumpy26548]

Hi Sherill, I'm so sorry you had to go through this! And I'm going back to the doctor about this, thank you. So there was a change in the scan. How are you doing now, since you told me that a nodule was found on your lung? What have they done about your situation? I read a lot of understanding and compassion in your reply. Thank you very much for this! I wish you all the best too Sherrill! I really hope you are doing well and that your asthma is well controlled!

[Poobah]

Not an expert in this field, but checking out Dr Google, I would get a second opinion and not take no for an answer. You're entitled to a second opinion and if you're doctor is hospital based and you're in the UK, you can complain about your care to PALS. If the doctor who gave you the decision not to pursue further tests is a GP, then ask to see a different GP.

Good luck.

[mseliza in reply to Poobah]

Thank you for your thoughts, helping with doing research on dr. Google and your advice! Yes, if I don't get any further with this then I will take further steps!

[Grumpy26548 in reply to Poobah]

Hi Poobah, Thank you for replying & I hope everything is ok with! Now about the Nodule I have on my right lung there was a change since last March (2023) but no a significantly big change I was told! I have apparently had this on my lung since 2017 which is very scary as I didn't know I even had it! I have to have a Petscan on the 11th March which will determine what direction my Dr will go! I am a bit upset that I wasn't told but Dr I was under then filled my form out for my disability sticker & wrote on the form that I had chronic lung disease! I wasn't real happy with after that but went a few more times but wasn't happy as he told me nothing much at all but my new doctor is absolutely beautiful same surgery though! So now I ask everything & list what I want to know Dr reads answers me & all perfect! I hope you are well! Take care my friend

[Poobah in reply to Grumpy26548]

Hi Grumpy. I'm glad you've now got a doctor who is great with communication, it makes all the difference! These waiting for tests and results periods are upsetting, but I always try and remember that every time I've had a scan or MRI, they find something. My hospital asthma nurse said it's the very nature of testing, it throws up even the smallest of anomalies, no matter how inconsequential. I've got a nodule or two on my lungs, probably from various infections. My gallbladder is well monitored after finding polyps, that was 2009 and for quite a few years after. I could go on, but I'd just bore you with my polyps and nodule history.

Good luck on 11th March and I hope your mind will be put to rest with the results. 🤗 All the best.