Having Blood Tests Whilst Taking Methotrexate...

[ian2347]

Hello all

Today is my first day of taking Methotrexate and was just wondering about the blood tests.

I had my bloods taken today in the hospital (whilst having my first appointment with the rheum specialist) and understand that I need to have them done again in 2 weeks.

I made an appointment in my local G.P. surgery for bloods in 2 weeks time but now Im wondering if this was right thing to do. Should I have done that or gone back to the rheum dept in the hospital? The reason Im asking is whenever Ive had bloods done in my surgery before, Ive always had a blood form thing to take with me (written by the doctor or whoever stating what needs to be checked) and obviously now I dont have one :/ Do I just take my methotrexate booklet?

I know I should have asked at the time but was busy trying to take everything in and now Im worried Ive done something wrong :/

Any advice would be very welcome.

Thanks

[Beaches2]

Hi there

I think that the format is slightly different in different areas, but my experience is that I had weekly blood tests for the first month on mtx and after that every month.

I book them with my gp surgery. I tend to book a few in advance and they don't need a form. Your gp will know what drugs you are on and there are standard things that they check for when someone is on dmards........liver function, esr etc. The phlebotomist has all this on computer when you go for your test and will just print off the label.

Hope this helps and if you are at all unsure then I would have a word at your surgery just to confirm.

Good luck with your treatment x

[nomoreheels]

Hiya & welcome. You are hopefully now on the road to relief. If your surgery has the resources to take bloods then that's probably where you go. I go to my GP practice monthly but I've been on MTX for 6 years now. When you first start the regime it's normal to go more frequently & you have been asked to do so because they need to monitor how you are reacting to it & if anything needs adjustment such as increase or decrease in dose. This will flag up when your blood results are analysed. Your MTX booklet is the the replacement for "blood form thing" you usually have. The phlebotomist will enter your previous fortnightly (& probably later monthly) blood test results in the book each time you go to have your bloods taken & will probably give you your next appointment date to see her/him (this may be done at reception, practices do differ). Your Rheumy will have been in contact with your GP explaining his findings at your appointment so he's in the link & knows which meds he's decided are most suitable for you. A quick call to your Rheumy nurse will confirm just where you should be going if you're unsure. I understand you're confusion, there's so much to take in at your first Rheumy appointment isn't there? It might be worth you having a look at the NRAS website nras.org.uk there's lots of good information on there.

Hope this helps.

[ian2347]

Thankyou both very much for the replies.

[bpeal1]

I would suggest calling your rheumy helpline if you have one just to double check (or your surgery might know). In my area we don't have books, everything is stored electronically and the hospital are responsible for checking the results. I am given several blood test forms from the hospital and I then arrange the blood tests. I can either make an appointment at my GP surgery or go to the walk in phlebotomy clinic at the hospital.

[julie_warwick]

check with the rheum. department. I was given a load of request forms and I go to the phlebotomy clinic when I need to. x

[mistymeana]

Hi, I worked in a GP surgery until a few months ago and it was normal for patients on mtx not to have blood forms. In our surgery the admin team would print the form when booking the appointment, in others the healthcare assistant or phlebotomist does it. There are set tests requested so all concerned know exactly what to request so don't worry, I'm sure it'll all be sorted in time for your appointment. You will probably be asked to leave your booklet with the surgery and they'll update it when the results come in.