Blood Test Results

[Jonhel]

Received this test result. My GP says it will be because of AF and no need to refer for another echocardiogram as the one I had in December was an improvement on the one in September.

Another blood test result was abnormal for Serum Ferritin levels.

Has anyone else had experience of these? x

[10gingercats]

When I had an 'incidental' group of blood tests my ferritin was found to be quite low and I was recomended for an iron infusion. This was done in the local hospital and I was told it would boost my liver iron reserves.This meant I coulkd stop taking Ferrous sulphate which I had needed periodically and which was not very effective in boosting any of my lood issues...haem. or ferritin. I have heart failure and afib as well as a non functioning tricuspid valve.

[Jonhel in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear of your heart failure. Hope you are doing ok x

[mav7]

I had a high peptide score but the cardiologist was not that concerned. The key is the echocardiogram.

[Jonhel in reply to mav7]

Thank you for your reassuring response.

[Leechg]

Hi, am sorry I don’t have any answers for you but could you tell me if that result came from a normal type annual blood test that most surgeries do or was it a special blood test relating to heart function. Cheers Gill

[Jonhel in reply to Leechg]

It was a blood test following a visit to the GP. I’d had a cough since October so the locum GP sent me for a chest X-ray and initiated a series of blood tests. My usual GP was the one to respond to the results.

[Ppiman]

I am sure your GP knows best over this kind of thing, not least as he knows you and will be following national guidelines. Low ferritin is a common finding, I gather, and would need considering following NICE guidelines possibly with other tests to see if this one finding is of any consequence. I'm sure your GP will follow these.

Steve

[Jonhel in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks, Steve. Yes, I will put my trust in my GP. The ferritin levels were high and judged as abnormal but my GP hasn’t picked it up as a concern. Jackie

[Ppiman in reply to Jonhel]

Looking on the NICE website about this, he will be following guidelines and the ferritin is only a part of the picture. I have a friend who has low iron and he's got to phone his GP next week to see what's to be done.

Steve

[pip_pip]

I did . The afib does the same thing to the blood as heart attack etc, to the untrained eye it means something is up. However the issue was checked by cardiologist and forgotten about. I've had this a few times. If you are in hospital it means your stay might be a bit longer until they work it out.

Phil

[Jonhel in reply to pip_pip]

Thanks, Phil. That makes sense. I’m not in hospital and I feel ok. I can now see why my GP isn’t alarmed, especially as my Echocardiogram in December was reassuring. Jackie

[Visigoth]

I’m really interested that you posted this because I had the same blood test done this week and the result is above high reference limit. I’ve had - and still have - a very bad cough, but only for three weeks. When the first lot of antibiotics failed to do anything, the triage nurse felt my ankles and said they were a bit swollen, although I have never detected any swelling myself, and she ordered this test plus an ECG. I’ve been given an appointment with the GP because of the result, and also my ECG says abnormal but a doctor on the day said there was nothing of immediate concern. So I’ve been getting very worried about all this! I know they’ll order an echo and that’s not a bad thing because I haven’t had one for over three years, but I’ve been feeling very anxious about what that will find. Your post and the replies have encouraged me a bit. But the thing is, my AF is so well controlled by amiodarone that I thought it wouldn’t affect my result or ECG. I’m sure my previous ECGs haven’t been described as abnormal. Back to worrying then!

[Jonhel in reply to Visigoth]

Sorry that you are feeling anxious and I hope that you get reassurances soon. My cough was put down to an ACE Inhibitor so I was taken off perindopril and prescribed candersartan. I visited the GP after taking the candersartan for three months with the cough still being present. Ironically, the cough seems better now.

I was a bit shocked by the blood test report and the peptide result of 3284 but I’m trusting the GP’s explanation of it being because of the AFib. My appointment with the cardiologist in March was also reassuring.

I’m not sure what is meant by an abnormal ECG other than it not showing sinus rhythm. I think an Echo will be a good move for you. According to my cardiologist, my last Echo in December was reassuring compared to the one in September (which was deemed unreliable because of rapid heart rate).

Hope you receive reassurance soon x

[Visigoth in reply to Jonhel]

Thank you

[Bagrat]

My husband in permanent AF had this blood test done, BNP not ferritin, it was like yours raised above normal limits. When I asked cardiologist if it meant we had to add another diagnosis to holiday insurance he said "wish GPs wouldn't do these tests with people in permanent AF, it doesn't tell us anything just muddies the water, no help" .

[Jonhel in reply to Bagrat]

Really appreciate this reply. I can definitely see where the cardiologist is coming from. I’m in permanent AF too. I was alarmed when I saw the lab report, especially as I’m going on a Rhine River Cruise tomorrow. Pleased that I was reassured that it wasn’t something new to worry about x