OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Clarity on Recent Blood Test Results

I'm a 37-year-old female, engaged in light physical activity, with a height of 165 cm and a weight around 60 kg, who occasionally vapes. Starting from approximately May 30, I've been grappling with persistent pain on the left side of my neck, episodes of lightheadedness, headaches predominantly on the left side, and irregular heartbeats or palpitations. On June 9, I visited my doctor for the third occasion regarding these symptoms. During this visit, I began to feel extremely unwell, experiencing rapid heartbeats and significant faintness. I used my Apple Watch to check my heart rate, which soared to 180 bpm. The doctor promptly attended to me, noting my heart rate was around 120 bpm at that moment. Given the circumstances, I was referred to the emergency department. In hindsight, I believe I might have been experiencing a panic attack. At the hospital, my vital signs appeared stable, albeit with a slightly elevated heart rate. An ECG returned normal, and I was informed that my blood results were within acceptable limits. After waiting for 19 hours and feeling increasingly better, I decided to discharge myself and return home, resolving to consult a private physician the following day. On June 10, I consulted the private doctor. She confirmed that my blood tests were acceptable, except for a slightly elevated vitamin B12 level. Given my ongoing symptoms of dizziness, fast heartbeats, tremors, and neck discomfort, she conducted a neurological examination and recommended that I seek imaging at a hospital. I subsequently went to a different hospital, where another ECG was performed, showing normal results, and I was again told my blood tests were normal. A CT scan of the head was also reported as normal. Ultimately, I received a diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches and was prescribed Naproxen to be taken twice daily. An MRI and MRA of my head and neck were carried out. Results were predominantly normal, with the exception of some observations including nystagmus, a prominent left vertebral artery, and a small area of signal abnormality in the right matter of the left insula, but no lesions were detected in the parenchyma. The radiographer assured me that everything looked satisfactory. Yesterday, I accessed my healthcare app and found blood test results from my June 9 visit indicating abnormalities in the venous blood gases. I'm seeking insight into what these abnormalities might be and whether there is a cause for concern. I do have a scheduled phone consultation with my regular GP on Friday to discuss this further. However, I would appreciate any clarification on what these results might mean and the discrepancy between being told everything was normal and now seeing abnormal readings. At present, I have not received any other results through the app, nor did I expect to receive these! Thank you for your help!

Answers (1)

6/25/2025, 4:20:47 PM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you're dealing with a complex set of symptoms and recent medical evaluations, and it’s completely understandable to seek clarity regarding your blood test results, especially when combined with your ongoing health concerns. Let's break this down:

Main Points:

1. You experienced significant symptoms that led to multiple medical evaluations, all showing primarily normal results.
2. Abnormal venous blood gas results can indicate issues related to oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, which could contribute to symptoms like dizziness and palpitations.
3. It's important to keep communication open with your healthcare providers regarding these findings.

Explanation:

Venous blood gases measure levels of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and the acidity (pH) of your blood, which help assess how well your lungs are functioning and how your body is handling carbon dioxide. Abnormalities in these results might highlight complications such as:

• Hypoxemia: Low oxygen levels, potentially causing lightheadedness or fatigue.
• Hypercapnia: High carbon dioxide levels, which could lead to symptoms like dizziness or irregular heartbeats.
• Acid-base imbalances: Changes in the blood pH that could impact various bodily systems.

Given the context of your symptoms and previous tests resulting in normal findings, it may suggest that the abnormal results from the blood gases are situational or provoked by your nervous system reactions, rather than indicating a persistent or serious underlying condition.

Next Steps:

1. Discuss Your Concerns with Your GP: Prepare for your phone consultation by noting down questions specifically regarding the venous blood gas results. Ask for a clear explanation of these readings and their potential implications for your overall health.

2. Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary noting any changes or triggers related to your headaches, heartbeats, and dizziness. This will provide valuable insight during your consultation.

3. Lifestyle Adjustments: Consider reducing your vaping, as it can potentially affect your cardiovascular health and cause symptoms like palpitations and dizziness.

4. Focus on Relaxation Techniques: Since you may have experienced panic-like symptoms, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or mindfulness may help manage anxiety and associated physical symptoms.

5. Follow Up on Imaging Results: If you're still having symptoms and feeling concerned, continue to ask your doctor about the significance of the findings from your MRI and MRA, particularly regarding nystagmus and the variations in the vertebral artery.

By staying informed and maintaining open dialogue with your healthcare providers, you can ensure you’re addressing your health concerns comprehensively. Please reach out if you have more questions or need further clarification on your symptoms or test results!