Blood tests. ..

[marie66]

Hi guys I wanted to do DAS score as the rheummy was speaking about biologics. Anyways i saw a different nurse for my 2 weekly bloods. I asked her to see what my ESR or CRP was -turns out they haven't tested this at all this year! Should they have been checking this alongside the checks with methotrexate? Thoughts anyone? Cheers M x

[helixhelix]

Normally should have done - but if you saw a different nurse she may not have been looking at the right place/thing. Double check, and if still not there not ask that they do them from now on!

[marie66 in reply to helixhelix]

Hi Helix they were not done at all this year and they didn't seem bothered about it either!

[Matilda7]

CRP levels are part of the routine screening for MTX but not all labs do ESR any more.

[SoulmanPaul]

Hi. I just checked my bloods history for comparison. CRP was done quarterly in past year. ESR was done once in past year. I've got no reason to think this isn't typical. In terms of Mtx, because I've always had high Liver scores my dose gets adjusted/stopped/restarted etc. As a result I've had bloods done 2-4 weekly for a large part of the year. What I'm saying is that I'm confident if there's an issue my Rheumy team will be 'on It'

Paul

[nomoreheels]

Both ESR & CRP are tested in my monthly drug monitoring bloods for MTX. I'd request they are in yours from now on, if for nothing else it's good to track how things are going. Just for info the following are included in my test - ESR, CRP, Hb, Platelets, WBC, Eos/Lymph, Neutrophils, Alk Phos, AST or ALT, Urea, Creatinine.

[marie66]

I spoke to Rheumatology nurse -he's nice and helpful, he was surprised they hadn't and wouldn't do it without a request from rheummy! Upshot is he says he'll do it when I'm assessed for the biologics so don'the stress so I'll leave it there for now.

Thanks everyonefor thoughts M x

[BoneyC]

Inflammatory markers (ESR & CRP); FBC (full blood count); LFT's (liver function test); U&E's (kidney function test) & bone profile are done routinely for me.

[Jacey15 in reply to BoneyC]

Me too BoneyC