How regular are your blood tests?

[iffa28]

I would like to know from everybody as to how you keep a check on your SLE. Sometimes like in my case, i dont have any symptoms but my anti-dsdna suggest SLE is active. Do you go for regular blood tests?

[Sara_A]

I only go for regular blood tests as I’m on immunosuppressant treatment. Before that I don’t think I had regular bloods maybe just checked annually by the consultant or checked if I was having a flare for crp, but I don’t bother with crp anymore as in lupus it’s usually normal apparently.

[lupie46 in reply to Sara_A]

My CRP is always high even in periods of calm with the SLE. I'm checked because of DMARDS

[Sheilainacton]

What medication are you on? I think monitoring really depends on your drug regimen. I'm on mycophenolate & have blood tests every 8-12 weeks @ hosp because of this but I think with some drugs you can be monitored less often and/or by your GP.

[chrisj]

These days I go once a year for blood and urine tests for SLE, bp check as well and weight. In the beginning it was more often. Diagnosed in 2005 and prescribed plaquenil. Once the meds kicked in and the illness was under control the checks ups got less

[iffa28 in reply to chrisj]

I hear you! But I'm my case I got lazy recently and the tests werent done for a good 6 months. No symptoms as such but the tests turned out really bad. So just wanted to know if everybody keeps a check because SLE as my experience goes is a tricky disease.

Wish you good health!

[Buffy14]

I have bloods done every 3 months and have for 15years but as others have said it is because I am taking immunosuppressant drugs due to kidney involvement .

[iffa28 in reply to Buffy14]

Trust me that's the right way!!