Any blood test 'experts' out there?

[Lemon117]

I know this isn't the forum for health professionals...but posting here is better than me Googling my concerns!

Long story short, I've had a hip/quad/glute issue for two months now...I've seen a few physios and one suspects stress fracture so I'm trying to sort an MRI. It's gradually got better (I couldn't walk at one point) but if I run for more than 10 minutes, it's back to hurting the next day. It doesn't hurt when I'm inactive. BUT, obviously because I'm on this site...I'm concerned it's something more sinister, especially as now my back on the same side has started hurting.

I had a mega blood test about a month ago to give me some reassurance but I read everywhere (and by everywhere, I mean Google), that blood tests can't really tell you if anything scary is going on (and by that, I mean the Big C). Does anyone have any insight into whether a test like this (see below) would be a good indication of whether anything else was going on?

Haemoglobin
HTC
Red cell count
MCV
MCH
MCHC
RDW
Platelet count
MPV
White cell count
Neutrophillis
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Eosinophils
Basophils
ESR
Sodium
potassium
Chloride
UREA
CREATININE
ESTIMATED GFR
BILIRUBIN
ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE
ASPARTATE TRANSFERASE
ALANINE TRANSFERASE
LHD
CK
GAMMA GT
TOTAL PROTEIN
ALBUMIN
GLOBULIN
CALCIUM
Phosphate
Uric acid
Iron
TIBC
TRANSFERRIN SATURATION
CORRECTED CALCIUM
FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE
Fasting triglycerides
Fasting cholesterol
HDL % of total
LDL Cholesterol
Non-hdl cholesterol
HDL cholesterol
Ferritin
Thyroid stimulating hormones
Free thyroxine

[RadioGaGa]

You have had a rather extensive work-up blood test wise

But there really wasn't any need - cancer pain doesn't come and go, get worse then get better. It's progressive - it gets worse and worse and worse. You don't describe that

Good luck

[Double_Rainbow]

If you are concerned that it could be something along the lines of sarcoma, then no. I don't think that any of these blood tests will reveal a localized (early stage) sarcoma.

Not to scare you, but for a full disclosure. A friend of mine had hip lump and pain for a few weeks, was misdiagnosed as having a muscle tear, sent to physical therapy which didn't help. Finally his wife dragged him to have some sort of imaging (not sure might have been just a simple x ray at first) and it revealed a tumor. Turned out to be a very rare cartilage sarcoma in his hip joint, at the age of 28. I AM NOT IMPLYING THAT YOU HAVE THIS, and this is truly a very rare situation. But, if the pain is getting worse, or if you see a lump that is growing, it might be wise to have it imaged.

[Fishmanpa]

^^^Not helpful^^^ :( The dragon will devour that!

While it's true that blood work may not show all cancers, it will show anomalies and markers that combined with symptoms warrant further investigation. As was said and I'll reiterate...

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It doesn't come and go nor does it stop once it starts.

Positive thoughts

[Double_Rainbow]

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It doesn't come and go nor does it stop once it starts.

Positive thoughts
Yes, I need to emphasize that my friend had pain that was constant and getting gradually worse, AND he had a lump that was visibly growing. He was a very tough guy but it got so bad, he could barely walk. This doesn't seem to be the OPs situation at all. I would just give it a few more weeks to heal, these sorts of injuries can take many months to completely go away.

PS. Why did I say that he "WAS"? He still is, 10 years later doing great. Even a relatively grim diagnosis like this doesn't have to be a death sentence.

[Carys]

It's gradually got better

Thats all you need to know,thats the primary point of importance in everything you had stated.

[Carys]

Yes, I need to emphasize that my friend had pain that was constant and getting gradually worse, AND he had a lump that was visibly growing. He was a very tough guy but it got so bad, he could barely walk. This doesn't seem to be the OPs situation at all. I would just give it a few more weeks to heal, these sorts of injuries can take many months to completely go away.

PS. Why did I say that he "WAS"? He still is, 10 years later doing great. Even a relatively grim diagnosis like this doesn't have to be a death sentence.

Thats good to hear! You are right it doesn't relate to the OP really, as theirs is getting better and they can only 'run for 10 minutes' (:roflmao:I wish !), but also it is always positive to hear people say 'even the C diagnosis doesn't mean a death sentence'. :yesyes:

[Lemon117]

You lovely people - thanks for your responses. Pain has definitely improved form early January when I couldn't walk without limping. It doesn't hurt when I'm stationary or at night, just if I've exercised. I cycled last week everyday with no issues so optimistically thought I'd try a run...10 minutes turned into half-an-hour ("Hello, my name is <insert> and I'm a run-aholic) and then the pain came back. It's infuriating. It's been two months.

All the blood markers were normal and the three that were outside of the range were of "no clinical concern"...one of which was 'creatine kinase' which I believe is to do with muscle damage...so guess that sort of makes sense.

If anyone has any muscle related injuries that sound like the original post, please do share!

Thanks again folks. Yours in anxiety.

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.

This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.

Please also read this post:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239