Repeat of full blood count

[MaxineC]

Hello everyone! Just looking for advice if anyone can help? I was told today by receptionist at doctors surgery that I have to have my full blood count repeated in one month, she could not explain why or what that meant to me at all and could not get to speak to my Rhuematology nurse. Has this got anything to do with my liver and kidney function? I am due to take methotrexate tonight and Benepali tomorrow and just not sure if I should as I understand these medications can damage your organs. I had come off my meds for a couple of weeks due to having a tendon repair operation and had a bit of a flare up - could this be something to do with it? Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks x

[AgedCrone]

It could simply be there is a slight variation in one sample..or even they lost the first test!. If you needed to stop any meds you would be told & if it was anything mega serious your doctors would do a re-test now..,not wait a month!

Try to stop worrying…. but to put your mind at rest give your rheumy nurse another call.

.

[MaxineC in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you for your reply. I will call my nurse again this morning and try to stop worrying! Take care x

[nanny_bee71 in reply to MaxineC]

I was recently called in for a blood test repeat and didn't know why until the HCA who carried it out confessed that they had "lost" the original along with those of a few other patients!!!!!!

[helenlw7 in reply to nanny_bee71]

I’ve had that a couple of times, and also where they haven’t taken enough blood!

[MaxineC in reply to helenlw7]

Thanks! Maybe that is what it is! X

[MaxineC in reply to nanny_bee71]

I have had that before too! Thanks for getting back to me x

[Marionfromhappydays]

Hi

Under the scope of a Full blood count in simplest form it measures red cells, white cells and platelets .

So it would show possible anaemia, infections, some clotting issue ( platelets) amongest other things.

Methotrexate is a known cause of folate deficiency (which could lead to anaemia which a full blood count would pick up), also low white cells can also be caused by medication for RA.

I would have thought if your results were significant your Dr would advise not to continue your medication (must say i am not a Dr !)

It's SO frustrating when they don't tell you why you need a retest, full blood count would as i said above be relevant to anaemias and infections and not kidney and liver function in general.

Hope this helps x

[MaxineC in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thanks so much for replying. That makes me feel more at ease. Yes, just makes you anxious! Hope you keep well x

[medway-lady]

While not being medically quailed I'd just say that kidney function goes up and down naturally and it may simply be that you were a bit dehydrated on that day, as for a full blood count it could be a bit of low B12, D3, potassium etc. etc. but if they leave it a month its definitely not urgent. If it helps I do have Kidney failure and Benapali worked for me for years until a number of infections meant a change of medication. I think don't make a link that may not exist if there was any real concern then you'd be advised to stop the medication. Even shaking a sample or not shaking can affect a laboratory test and paracetamol can do horrid damage so please try not to worry as this may be nothing and if there is a concern that needs addressing then your GP has it in hand. I don't know how long you've been on Benapli but recall I had monthly blood tests for a few months until it settled.

[MaxineC in reply to medway-lady]

Thank you for getting back to me. I’m sure you are right so will try not to worry too much. This disease and everything attached to it is very stressful! Keep well and thanks again x

[HappykindaGal]

As others have said, if it was urgent, they’d want one done now. I was asked for a second one as my potassium levels had dropped slightly. I was told it could be an error with the sample, a computer error - anything. Who knows as it was fine the next time 🤷🏼‍♀️

Annoying they didn’t explain why though.

[MaxineC in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thank you for your reply! I think I just worry too much! Have a great day x

[medway-lady in reply to HappykindaGal]

You remind me of a hilarious incident, I had a blood test in the morning in the afternoon a phone call from GP asking how was I feeling. I was feeling great and my GP who I've known for a long time said " that is good news because technically your dead! or it could be the nurse shook up the tube ! anyway get a bag and report to the A&E who will do a repeat" So off I went spent several hours lying down and starving too and a repeat test was done, it needless to write came back normal. So 4 hours in the hospital, plus a car parking charge and missed an evening out. These things are sent to try us....

[Wobbies in reply to medway-lady]

I had an almost identical experience. It was potassium levels.

[HappykindaGal in reply to medway-lady]

Hahaha, I am dead and I'm just coming to haunt you Love that the nurse shook the test tube. Thankfully, you were very much NOT dead

[Paula-C]

I've just looked at my last test results and looked at the info about what the tests are for. I have three different groups of tests. From what I've read liver function and kidney tests results are in a different group also the test for inflammation is in anorther on. The full blood count is the other.

Here's what the full blood count results are for

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

[MaxineC in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you, this information is very helpful, I understand a little more now! Have a great day x

[auldreekie2]

Hello Largetv, try not to worry....I had the same problem with my bloods....the1st bloods test, white cells were low...month later blood test white cell fine.... I would not stop your medication unless someone tells you to. Good luck .

[MaxineC in reply to auldreekie2]

Thank you, yes, I feel a little better now, this forum is full of very helpful people who are going through the same challenges! Good luck to you too x

[Fra22-57]

I have my bloods taken every 3 months.The rheumatologist never contacts me but my good gp does.A while ago showed I was anaemia so put on iron tablets.next lot ok but my bloods keep saying I am anaemic .I am on iron tablets again.Wish I knew why but someone said it could be all the meds I take.Like me we need to ask further questions.Hope yours are just being repeated as they mislaid the first lot.Don’t ever stop your meds thou unless told as you will have a big flare up

[MaxineC in reply to Fra22-57]

Thank you for your reply. I know, sometimes you ask the questions and don’t get the answers! Hope you keep well x

[Jackie1947]

You would have been told to stop them. Im no expert so ask. Nothing unusual to have bloods repeated

[MaxineC in reply to Jackie1947]

Thank you, I think I just worry too much x

[greynot]

I ask for a print out of my bloods results (I'm every 2 months as on methotrexate and vary a bit). That way I can keep track of my personal 'normal' and see if anything is fluctuating wildly. I have to call in at the surgery as they don't have online patient accessible records and are not allowed to email out or post results.

I've been recalled by text for a retest in a month (test today as it happens!) Am pretty sure it's because I'm showing a bit anaemic, but we shall see. But from tracking my personal normals (within the ok range, which is shown on the results print out) I can see there's nothing changed dramatically on the liver or kidney front.

Don't panic!!

[MaxineC in reply to greynot]

Aw thanks for getting back to me! I hope everything goes well with your test. I’ll try not to panic x

[oldtimer2]

It is very common - so don't panic! Often the reason is very simple, although lost or unsuitable blood samples usually are repeated within a week in my case. Usually the repeat test is 'within normal' or 'marginal'. Sometimes I've even had several repeats....

[MaxineC in reply to oldtimer2]

Thank you, usually mine are always normal so you do get a little nervous when you need something to be repeated! I hope you keep well x

[Green230461]

I had to repeat too the nurse had dropped my first test so it was cancelled! Try not to worry too much 💐

[cyberbarn]

Do you have access to your online medical records? Everyone should have access to their records from now going forward, even if they don't have access to previous records. It can help to have this because there should be a note in there about why you have been asked to come for more tests as well as all your results.

[MaxineC in reply to cyberbarn]

Not to my knowledge. Thank you for this information, I will call my surgery and ask if this is possible x