Admitted to Hospital

[Beth1982]

I have been admitted for heart palpitations. I want testing done but not for sure what to request. The only labs I have seen is my CBC and my MCV is flagged high. What do I request. The shortness of breath, heart palpations are driving me crazy!

[fbirder]

High MCV means macrocytic anaemia, one of the main causes of this is a B12 deficiency.

Ask them for a B12 blood test and a methylmalonic acid test. If the former is low and/or the latter is high then you almost certainly have a B12 deficiency.

[Beth1982 in reply to fbirder]

They came in before I got to read this. I told them I wanted more testing for anemia than just the basic iron level. They ordered a bunch of test, looked at my hands and knees... And said I think something auto immune is going on.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Beth1982]

in terms of getting a diagnosis and tests you are in the right place - was looking at your hands and knees to do with nerve responses or was it something else? PA - one of the more common causes of a B12 deficiency - is an autoimmune problem so possible that the person who saw you is on the case.

[fbirder in reply to Beth1982]

Do you have problems with your joints? It's possible that they suspect rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease. But we can hope that they've seen the MCV results and reached the PA decision.

[Beth1982]

She commented on the MCV and said more testing needed done.

[jillc39]

let us know what happens.....

[OAT1]

With heart palpatations I would have your thyroid tested as that is a definite sign.

[Beth1982]

They checked Thyroid it was normal. They are referring me to a rheumatologist. I have my test results but have no idea what they mean.

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Beth1982]

ask if you can have a copy to take home with you.

[Beth1982 in reply to Gambit62]

I have a copy...

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to Beth1982]

great - I never managed to get a copy of mine - a request for them resulted in being charged £25 for photocopying my notes but I suspect the test result was never actually printed out so ....

[clivealive Forum Support]

I wish you well Beth1982

[ndodge]

Hi Beth1982,

Do you have other b12 deficiency symptoms such as ringing in your ears (tinnitus ), dizziness, unsteady gait, sore tongue, pins and needles feeling in hands and arms or toes or fatigue, to name just a few? Those symptoms in connection with the heart palpitations, breathlessness and high MCV are classic PA. A doctor would have to be an idiot to miss it! If you go to the Pernicious Anemia Society website, there is a list of symptoms and there are lots! Best of luck

[Beth1982 in reply to ndodge]

I have a lot of those symptoms..I swollen fingers and knees upon waking in the morning..

[sissykinney]

Tell them u want all vitamin, 6 panel thyroid tests and any normal testing. I just had trouble breathing and etc; no vitamin D, low iron,and low b1 & b12.

[ndodge in reply to sissykinney]

I agree, sissykinney! Full blood count, all vitamins, esp b12, folate, iron and potassium levels would be ideal. Insist that they do this!

[Sleepybunny]

Hi beth,

I hope you get the help you need. Are you taking B12?

Some people can experience a drop in potassium levels (hypokalaemia) when they start B12 supplements. Have your potassium levels been checked?

patient.info/doctor/hypokal...

nhs.uk/conditions/Potassium...

[Polaris]

I'm so sorry Beth and hope you get the right diagnosis and treatment soon with a good recovery.

As well as the other tests others have suggested, would it be possible to ask for a magnesium RBC test?

[Beth1982 in reply to Polaris]

What is a magnesium RBC?

[Polaris in reply to Beth1982]

Hello Beth

Hope this link explains:

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Magnesi...