? Blood tests

[JFJ131]

hi , I am taking apixaban and bisoprolol and my GP wouldn’t repeat my script until I went for a blood test. I gather he wants to test my liver, kidneys, and full blood count. Am I right to presume this is usual/normal? I have been on these meds since cardioversion in October. Any advice or reassurance would be appreciated… I have horrible health anxiety and bit concerned when told I have to go for bloods. Sorry to sound a wimp…

[MadBunny]

I'm edoxaban and bisoprolol and have all 3 blood tests regularly as part of routine care. It seems about the right timing- 6 months after starting new meds.

[JFJ131 in reply to MadBunny]

Thanks for your reply and reassurance. Best wishes

[mav7]

Am I right to presume this is usual/normal

Yes, normal and important.

[JFJ131 in reply to mav7]

Many thanks. For your reply.

[wilsond]

So are you saying your GP is happy for you to be without Apixaban until you get blood test done? !!!What?!! Surely not. Did I misunderstand this?

It is recommended that blood tests are done every 6 months or so. Recommended is the term,but it's not a determiner to stop taking anticoagulants prior to testing!

Please check this with your GP again,or pharmacist

[JFJ131 in reply to wilsond]

Hi, sorry to have misled…my GP is now going to issue the script but the surgery said that I had to book a blood test first. Appreciate your reply. Best wishes

[BobD Volunteer]

Normal protocol if you are on multiple medications. Since many are excreted via kidneys etc regular (annual?) blood tests are tmake sure functions are normal. You are still very young but kidney function does reduce with aging.

[JFJ131 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I particularly like your ‘you are young’ comment lol. Best wishes and thanks for the reassurance

[Buffafly]

Yes very important - I have recently had my regular blood test and discovered I have early kidney disease. As I am already taking a lower dose of Apixaban this will not be affected but it is important to know as other related meds may need adjusting. I am also being called in to discuss my cholesterol level 🙁 but better to know than not.

[JFJ131 in reply to Buffafly]

Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience. Hoping your kidney disease is addressed and managed. Wondering what your ‘lower’ dose of apixaban is?

[wilsond in reply to JFJ131]

After the age of 75 ( might be 80) or for those who are underweight, or with kidney problems the lower dose is 2.5mg twice a day instead of 5mg x 2

Xxx

[JFJ131 in reply to wilsond]

I see thank you

[Physalis in reply to wilsond]

Well, I'm 88 and I'm still on 5mg twice daily. Incidentally, I was so busy with selling my flat that I kept on putting it off and in the end the doctor said he wouldn't supply any more until I'd had the test.

I'm again putting it off but at least the surgery is only 6 minutes walk away so I'd better think about going. On the other hand, I've got two months supply so maybe it can wait a bit longer.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Buffafly]

Hi

There are two types of cholesterol reducing. Avorastatin. Try the Timber... one as my GP 80s recommends it as better.

Whilst on Statins you cannot have the anti-covid med.

Statins are a controversial subject. We all need cholesterol for healthy nerves

Get as much info as possible before you make a decision.

cherio Joy. 76. (NZ)

[Bramley01]

yes definitely normal and important, usually 6 monthly for myself

[JFJ131 in reply to Bramley01]

Many thanks for reassurance

[BenHall1]

On my medication journey over the last 15 years my GP Surgery have always had me in for annual blood tests ........... to different degrees ..... I support what everyone else has said. An essential part of medication care.

[JFJ131 in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks Ben. Your reply and reassurance is much appreciated. I get such anxiety and this forum is wonderful for getting feedback and reassurance from you all. Best wishes.

[JFJ131 in reply to BenHall1]

Thanks Ben

[exmouth]

yes it is normal, they keep a check on everyone on there meds Take care.

[AmandaLouise77]

You have a good GP

[JFJ131 in reply to AmandaLouise77]

Seems so … thanks

[Wolfwinter1]

Hi please don't worry, I to am on Bisopropol and my blood thinners is edoxaban, apparently your GP is supposed to monitor you on these as a matter of course, they told me every six months just to make sure everything is ok. It's routine, so don't panic. Cate

[JFJ131 in reply to Wolfwinter1]

Many thanks Cate for sharing your experience and reassurance

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Well, I am baffled unless he wants to see side effects of these two drugs.

I understand with warfarin you need monthly testing but the modern anti-co.agulants it is unnecessary.

Bisoprolol when first on it, the heart specialist set me up with a 24hr heart monitor. This would be A1 compared to a blood test. Your Heart Specialist should in the first place put in place ECG. ECHO and 24hr heart monitor. I had 3 monitors in 2021 when I was changed and changed again until control of my rapid heart rate was achieved.

By CCB Diltiazem. 2 years 3 months after the STROKE, rapid and persistent AF and then 4th day thyroid cancer was found during a carotid artery scan.

I take PRADAXA 110 which is lower and taken twice a day. It has an antidote. I've had 3 operations and followed instructions with no problems.

Bisoprolol was stppped in December as my BP went low.

cheri JOY 76 (NZ)

[southkorea]

My blood is tested every year ! Relax it is fine

[JFJ131 in reply to southkorea]

Thank you

[Lupaal]

It's normal, I just get all my bloods done once a year now, hypothyroid too as well as afib.

[JFJ131 in reply to Lupaal]

Me too re thyroid. Thanks for reply

[Karendeena]

Yes, perfectly normal, I have these tests every year and like you get very anxious!

[JFJ131 in reply to Karendeena]

Madness isn’t it… health anxiety is horrid. Many thanks for your reply

[Domino49]

I have blood tests every six months; the one that coincides roughly with my birthday is the full blood count for liver and kidneys etc.

[2learn]

Hi, look on the blood tests as a benefit, they are there to help. Because of my meds and other things like prostate I have about a dozen blood tests annually . If there's something wrong then its an early warning and if all ok its reassuring.

[JFJ131 in reply to 2learn]

I know - you are right when thinking rationally. Thanks

[oscarfox49]

Blood tests are pretty much routine, certainly here in France, and quite regularly in the early stages of the illness. I am on apixaban and sotalol and get tested annually now, but it was every six or three months for some years after I suffered a stroke from the AF. There is nothing to be concerned about in the doctor asking for a blood test and you just need to read the results and discuss any anomalies with your doctor. But even readings 'out of the normal range' are not always a sign of something serious. They can vary.

[JFJ131 in reply to oscarfox49]

Many thanks and best wishes

[iohnl]

I,m on Apixiban, Bisoprolol + others and have blood test every 6months.No probs

[Hatten28]

hello, I to am taking Apixaban it only recently, I was told by my doctor that I Dec a test every 4 months to check on liver etc.

Think this is normal

Hope this helps

Hatten28

[AstroFish]

It is perfectly normal, repeated annually.

[opal11uk]

Yes, quite normal, we should have these regular blood tests, approximately every 6 months.

[zqb95v]

I am also taking apixaban and bisoprolol, and have 6 monthly blood tests to check that they aren't affecting my liver and kidney functions. If you read the patient information leaflets for these medications you will see a long list of possible side effects, hence the blood tests to check that you aren't one of the unfortunate one's getting these side effects. I have a needle phobia but I would rather have these blood tests than develop Kidney or Liver problems. It's quite normal to be anxious if all of this is new to you, hopefully you had cardiac rehabilitation support and have a rehabilitation programme? I am assuming that you are on these medications because of a heart attack.

[JFJ131 in reply to zqb95v]

On these for atrial fibrillation following a cardio version. Thanks for your reply

[WineTaster]

This is an entirely normal routine and absolutely nothing to worry about. I would agree with MadBunny that timing seems about right. I am also on apixaban and bisoprolol.

[JFJ131 in reply to WineTaster]

Many thanks for your reply.

[TillyBoss]

It's normal don't worry

[Qualipop]

Perfectly normal. I have annual blood tests and also about 6 months after starting new tablets.

[Tomred]

Yes, i think its normal these days, its a good thing to have a check up anyhow.

[Clarrie]

I take Apixaban, Sotalol and Digoxin and have blood tests every six months.

[anyatall]

Hi JFJ131, I too take Apixaban and Bisoprolol. The usual procedure for me is to have blood tests every 3 months which I feel is a good thing and reassuring, so no worries.

[JFJ131 in reply to anyatall]

Thank you for your reply. Best wishes

[DawnTX]

is a normal thing along with at least here in the. They want to make sure everything is working together well and also nothing is building up and not working properly. Were you completely out? It only takes a day or so for them. makes don’t want to give you refills, if he needs to change the dosage or the med. I am usually ahead of the game with my supply. I will be meeting with my new EP on the 15th so my check to make sure I have enough they can even give you a weeks worth or whatever if necessary but I get a 90 day supplier usually. Because I will be meeting with a new PE we don’t know if he’s liable to change things so it makes no sense again give me a 90 day refill until we know the facts.

you need to get used to having testing where it seems you get battered with testing sometimes because something gives them a? So they check something else. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong. They are dotting their i and crossing their t.

I would be more concerned if they weren’t checking you if you are new to this you need to try to get over thing and you may need medication to do it if it’s that bad. Our lives change when we have a fib I don’t consider it a bad, huge change, but it’s and we deal with it. In the beginning, I went through so many medication changes and but I found it comforting to know they want answers. Oh yes, sometimes they just want money lol but if you have faith in your doctor, you will need to find a way to settle down for yourself. My EP is one that picked up on my anxiety not about anything just in general and it was contributing to my problems with my a fib and flutter. We are probably our own worst enemies sometimes in our head.

I am looking forward to my new doctor. I’m not thrilled with my because I never really dealt with him. I didn’t know him that well now that I am seeing him more. I’m not happy so hopefully my new PE works with a that he likes because I will be going to a different hospital, etc.

flutter are that’s all you have it’s not that bad that’s how I started and even with heart failure now it’s tolerable just annoying usually. if you have complications, talk to your doctor he’s the one that can help you and don’t get into a routine of checking your numbers all the time that makes you crazy also because our numbers are constantly changing. Right now I need to check and just to give you an example. I was 97/65 on my oximeter later on while I was laying down I was 97/97. My pacemaker is set at 60. I have a lot going on and this is what happens also.

I know some people take it really hard having a fib and flutter. I roll with it because it is what it is and unless there’s something else going on, it’s not usually painful like I said I consider it I don’t like the feeling, but I’ve had and I have pain right now that is much worse from something else.

don’t be afraid of a blood test. I recently had a blood panel and when I went back Monday, I thought I was gonna have bad news and it was the complete opposite. Even my A1c was great and my doctor was happy. I had had several steroid treatments usually that drives my A1c up, but not this time.

it’s really up to you to keep up on your refills. I like to be prepared because we get some strange weather and I lived in Florida for 22 years so I have always tried to be the happen a refill is unavailable. It could be power outages, etc. keeping . I get my mail order now so a hurricane, etc. could keep delivery away.

best of luck I know it’s not fun. You have a great group of people here. Try to stay out of your head and don’t make it worse than it is listen to your doctor not to the things that you are thinking unless they have been confirmed.

[JFJ131 in reply to DawnTX]

Many thanks for uoir comprehensive reply. Best wishes

[MaryCa]

Six months routine bloods, weight, blood pressure and ecg in Ireland for chronic health conditions. I kid you not. I nearly choked laughing the first time the nurse told me. So week 1 it's nurse and bloods, weight and BP, ecg, week 2 with doc and it's review results of ecg, bloods and review meds.