Specks of blood in sputum

Hi, my name is rehana, im 37 years old, since November last year, i have been noticing specks of blood in phlem. I mentioned this to my GP whom prescribed me antibiotics over the periods of couple of months  and steroids assuming it was a chest infection or Asthma related, this didn't really help and i carried on noticing blood especially on a morning when clearing my throat. I do suffer from LPR(silent acid reflux) aswell as sinus problems and postnatal drip and Asthma which is well controlled and i have a lot of allergies not to mention. Eventually i went back to my GP and explained to her that i want a referral to the respiratory team to further evaluate my symptoms which she did under the fast track referral. I had a chest xray ehich was normal a contrast CT scan which was normal but my respiratory consultant wanted to do a bronchoscopy to rule out any thing sinister. They carried out the bronchoscopy in February 2021 under sedation which was ok and not as unpleasant as i thought it would be. They did notice mild bleeding in my right bronchus upon coughing but no mucosal abnormality and was discharge back to my GP indicating nothing sinister found.

I'm still noticing specks of blood and still anxious to why this is happening, I have been referred to ENT and GI consultant to see if the bleeding was coming from any were else but that all came back normal.

I'M still worried something sinister is going on.  Should i be reassured from the bronchoscopy? I just want some advise from someone. Sorry I'm new to this forum.

  • Hi Rehanax1,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It sounds like there is some reassurance to be had from all the tests you've had done so far. If you feel symptoms are persisting and you don't have answers as to why, or any suggestions to ease things, then the only thing to really do is to speak to your GP again as they will be best placed to advise.

    I hope things improve soon.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi wondered how you are getting on I've had this issue since April last year after rly bad cough I'm 34 ex smoker vaped for lsT 5 years likeliness I need broncoscopy terrified 

  • Hi, sorry for late reply, i have had all  the test going and everything come back normal, they said they can't find any thing sinister . Just seen my respiratory doctor yesterday said i might be causing small capillaries to burst when clearing my throat.

    They said its very unlikely to have lung cancer at my age, but i still get small specks of blood. They said i should feel reassured by all the test i have had. I have had chest xray, CT scan, bronchoscopy and blood done which was all normal. This is the gold standard pathway they do.

    So I'm just putting it to the back of my head now, because it has caused me so much stress.

    Have you had xrays and ct scan first, dont worry about the bronchoscopy, its its not as bad as people make out, they will give you sedation.

    30% of people with specks of blood in sputum, the cause is unknown. But it is a good job you are getting it checked out.

    Feel free to ask more questions.

  • Thanks for reply I've got appointment with consultant in 2 weeks she wants me to have broncoscopy I had X-ray last year normal ct with dye in October normal and camera up nose okay and bloods okay , these were few months ago now thou... I was clearing throat this morning and coughed up a dark red blood clot and some white pink streaked sputum and some blood in nose past myself it's cancer on lung I smoked 5 years ago for 14 years I now vape and think I need to get rid of it past myself scan has missed things I don't know where this blood is coming from it's so worrying were u put to sleep for broncoscopy? I've also got asthma and mild emphysema and getting allergy test 

  • I personally think you might have post nasal drip, and the blood might be coming from your nose and driping down to your throat, you did mention blood in your nose. I have postnasal drip and i get nose bleeds which i sometimes cough up but this is due to my allergies and sinus problems.

    Try not to stress out to much, if you had ct scan last year then I'm sure something would of shown if it was sinister.im in my 30's like you and my respiratory consultant said its very unlikely to get lung cancer as this is more prevalent in people age 50+.

    Sometimes people cough up blood for so many different reasons, and sometimes doctors dont know what the

    cause is.

    They don't put you to sleep for a bronchoscopy they sedate you to make you relax, honestly it worked for me because i have a very bad gag reflex.they all so give you a oxygen through your nose to help with breathing. You will be fine, if i can do it honestly you will be fine. I was so anxious before the procedure and the consultant that was doing the procedure could tell i was nervous reck and she upped my sedation to make me comfortable, it was not painful.

    How big was the clot you coughed up, was it bigger that a one pence piece.

     

  • Your very young for something like lung cancer, im in my 30' and my respiratory consultant said its more prevalent in people in there 50's and its very rare in people my age.

    Please please don't be freaking your self out the way i did, because there can be so many reasons why you might be coughing up blood  like sinus problems, allergies, asthma, postnasal drip, bronchitis, week blood vessels ect...

    You mentioned you jad CT scan last year, if there was something sinister it would of shown something on your CT scan.

    How big was the blood clot, how often are you bring up blood.

    My respiratory consultant said if i was bringing up big clots the size of a 50p piece on a regular  basis and losing weight without trying then she would be concerned but she is not as it is only specks.

    I am still bringing up specks of blood on a daily basis on a morning which freaks me out but no one knows were it is coming from. I have had tests and still no answers, my gp thinks its my allergies and my acid reflux.

    Stay positive hun.

  • Hi Rehanax1 

    I have same problem of I'm not wrong , I had a CT scan , biopsy , no result yet . I just wonder after two years do you still have this issue I hope things improved and you found the cause and resolved ? I have speck of blood for two month now . I'm waiting for biopsy and CT scan result .  I wound like to know if there is anythings that you know more or experienced about this health issue. Thank you 

  • Welcome to the forum W_Kherzi although I'm sorry to hear about symptoms you've been contending with. This must be a very worrying time.

    I noticed you were hoping to get an update from Rehanax1. Unfortunately they haven't been on the forum for a couple of years now so there's a chance you may not get a reply.

    I really hope that won't be the case but if you don't hear back from Rehanax1 you could try reaching out to others on more recent discussions you find about this topic on the forum, or start your own.

    We're thinking of you W_Kherzi and will have our fingers crossed your biopsy and CT scan results will bring good news when the time comes.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator