Troponin levels?: Just some information... - British Heart Fou...

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Troponin levels?

19 Replies

Just some information I found regarding troponin levels. I have to admit I have found it very confusing. But this information from Wolverhampton did help to reduce my concerns. I basically went to my hospital in March with chest pains but I basically walked into A and E. They done an ecg which fortunately was the same as one I had in February. Any way they Wanted to take bloods and I ended up walking around to another department where my bloods where taken and had to wait for 1 hour for results. It took another 4 hrs before I was seen by a doctor to discharge me. They basically couldn't find anything wrong except a chest infection. So off I went, anyway I saw the report on my nhs app a few weeks later and my troponin was 26.2 nothing else next to it. So for a few months I have been trying to bottom out what this figure ment. I phoned my cardiac nurse who says it was fine and yesterday I confirmed it with my doctor. He basically says below 30 is fine. Now troponin is suppose to be very low. Which is where it can worry and get confusing. Also different laboratories can use different machines and figures. However it does seem that if after a period of time and the figures of troponin do not go above the 99th percentile value then they can send you home. However they will ensure that they check the ecg. How you look. How you feel and compare it with bloods . But it is all a worry and a concern as it is your body and you feelings which carnt be tested. Your mind takes over . But I can understand how we all get concerned. However we have to remember that the hospital is the only place that can do these tests. Unless you can go private. But any concerns do need to be checked.

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19 Replies
Captain_Birdseye profile image
Captain_Birdseye

This will be specific to the assay this hospital use... different health boards may have different guidance.

in reply to Captain_Birdseye

Yes different hospital will have different procedures but the algorithm I found seemed to be how my hospital seemed to follow. But it can vary. But it is all down to how you feel and look, I suppose walking in on my own to A and E was one give away. However I carnt fault how quick I was triaged. So if in dought go to hospital. But thank you for your reply.

Captain_Birdseye profile image
Captain_Birdseye in reply to

Yea the hospital was ready to send me home until they saw my troponin results because I looked alright and walked in on my own.

in reply to Captain_Birdseye

Yes it is all down to interpretation. I have to admit I suppose the figures did concern me because on report it just said 26.2 nothing else so you try work out is it in litres, kilos, gallons? I now know it is ng/l. But it does make you wonder for a time. The trouble is that the hospitals have to have a cut off but we are all indivuals and all react differently. But you have to put faith in their judgement.

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

Thanks for sharing Felly! Wow it is bit confusing but your post helps to explain it glad it was nothing serious x

in reply to Yumz199725

Thanks for reply yes nothing too untoward was found. However it is always best to get checked but chest pains can be many things. Muscular, medication. Exercise. And our favourite anxiety . Trouble is as I have my congenital disease it plays on my mind so much so iam more tuned in to my chest area. But it is a journey. But we don't have the luxury of a personal doctor so we have be vigilant. And worry about ourselves and care for ourselves.

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to

Yeah I agree definitely best to get checked especially when you have congenital heart disease, cant be too careful! They never even told me what my level was! Glad it was nothing serious though cause I was so convinced was a heart attack 😐😕. Like you said that's anxiety for ya 😅!

in reply to Yumz199725

Yep good old anxiety you carnt beat it. Trouble is how do you live with it.

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to

Yeah exactly!

I completely understand how you where getting worked up. I have been allowing this to fester with me for 2 months. You have to trust the medical profession and if they say you are OK then you have to trust them. It is hard and people who don't have heart problems don't seem to understand the mental strain and constant worry we have. Hope you are feeling better.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Wow you got those results quickly. I was just in for 3 days and h ad 4 troponin tests (maybe 5- felt like a pin cushion) plus a lot of others like magnesium and electrolytes and potassium; trying to find the cause of a very erratic pulse and hundreds of ectopics.

Yes it was quick. I phoned 111 he asked me a few questions. And basically he phone my surgery and my doctor phoned back within 10 minutes of the 111 handler phoning him. He said with your problem I need troponin checked white blood cell count and hemoglobin count. Get yourself to hospital. Of I go and within 10 minutes of walking in I was triaged by 2 nurses who done ecg. That was checked against the latest ecg. They had on record then they sent me another department. Because a and e where busy and I had bloods done. The bloods came back after 1 hour. I had further checks blood pressure and oxygen checks..,which are low for me so the nurse thought I had copd. I said no I have epstein anomoly, never heard of that she said. Oh well I did not want to explain it to her. Then it was a waiting game as they only had one doctor on went in at 2 ish in afternoon and out at 9pm in the evening. But I had to do something. I suppose in time I will become a frequent flyer to the hospital but unfortunately that was how I was made and that's what I have got live with. I hope got sorted with your ectopics because I know that when my potassium went up due to medication I was getting missed beats and ectopics

scentedgardener profile image
scentedgardener

At our hospital troponin over 14 is cause for concern, I know this because I asked them. First A&E visit was 18.7, I was told they thought I was having a HA. Second test was 25. I wasn't having a heart attack. Second trip one week later was 30. Last trip last month it was in the 20s, but taken with other tests accepted as ok. Again I asked, as I find the levels confusing and the doctor said yes it was raised but they see people with tropnonin in the 100s, so it was important to look at it alongside obs, ECG, other bloods, etc.

I think it's important to remember that each hospital has it's own testing system, ranges, etc, and although troponin is an important test it has to be considered with the other things, by a doctor.

I'm lucky as I'm able to ask the questions, I realise that not everybody can do tgat.

in reply to scentedgardener

Yes they do look at everything else. Ecgs how you look, feel, but the trouble with troponin is it is not a black and white figure. I think that they have to make a judgement on what they see and how long after your pain has started, to when the blood test is taken. Only other thing is that different hospital will have different procedures. But it is a test that is still evolving and being refined with better machines and tests. It was nice to read your reply.

dnsblr profile image
dnsblr

I understand your concern. Troponin levels can be confusing, especially since different laboratories use different machines and figures. However, it sounds like you've spoken to your doctor and cardiac nurse, and they've assured you that your troponin level of 26.2 is within the normal range. That's good news!

It's also important to remember that troponin levels can fluctuate over time, even in people who don't have any heart problems. So, if you're feeling well and your electrocardiogram (ECG) is normal, there's no need to worry about a slightly elevated troponin level.

Of course, if you're still concerned, you can always talk to your doctor again. They can order more tests or monitor your troponin levels over time to make sure they're staying within a healthy range.

In the meantime, try to relax and focus on taking care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. These things can all help to improve your overall health and well-being, and may also help to lower your troponin levels.

I hope this information helps to put your mind at ease. Remember, you're not alone in this. There are many people who experience unexplained chest pains, and most of the time, there's nothing to worry about. If you're ever feeling concerned, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or other healthcare provider.

in reply to dnsblr

Thank you for your kind reply. I have to admit it is confusing. And you have to put faith in the medical teams even while we are going through this time of upheaval regarding the nhs.

Smitty1956 profile image
Smitty1956

Hi, Felly12,

Thank you for the flowchart or decision tree diagram. It is somewhat helpful, but I have to admit that I am still confused about troponin levels. None of the doctors that I saw during my HA, or afterward, ever explained it to me. My blood was taken about 4-5 times that night through to the next day.

At 12:16 am—during HA—troponin was <7. At 2:51 am—troponin was 33. At 6:13 am—troponin was 92. At 10:55 am—troponin was at 95. So, does that seem to indicate that I was having a HA, but that the worst was over by 11am?? Again, not sure what it means, but the paperwork states that I had a NSTEMI myocardial infarction. Everything is so scary and so unexpected when this happens, that it feels like a huge shock at the time. You don’t know exactly what to ask and the doctors don’t always bother to tell you anything. I still have questions. I am seeing a cardiologist today so maybe I can ask a question or two. I’m nervous to tell the truth. It has been over a year since I last saw a cardiologist so I can feel some panic already. It is heading toward being a rough day. 😱

I hope that you have a lovely day! Stay safe.

Emmaisaworrier profile image
Emmaisaworrier in reply to Smitty1956

How did you get on??

Your welcome for the information. Iam still a little confused. But it does explain a few things but I wish they would tell us more. Because it's our bodies, so we have a right to know. But is too much knowledge dangerous.

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