Collagen Supplement

[Curious1411]

Can collagen powder supplement influence blood test results? Mine came back all normal, yet I feel some stiffness and aching. I have PMR. Normally I get at least 2 that are outside the normal range, like my WBC count and CRP.

[cyberbarn]

Collagen is actually a very large molecule so when we eat it it is broken down in our stomachs into the constituent parts before it is used by the body. So the collagen you eat doesn't get used directly as collagen.

The white blood cell count and C-reactive protein tests are not tests that are directly related to a condition, but are indicators of inflammation or infection. And both those things can be going on in the background so you don't have to feel really ill to have elevated levels.

They will vary over time depending on what is going on, so it isn't unusual to have them outside of the range and then have them back to inside the range.

So would taking a collagen alter blood test results? Not directly. But if you had a deficient of collagen, that is your diet had no collagen in it, then that could help, but people generally are not deficient. It is more likely that in previous tests you have had some underlying inflammation, and that, through more than one thing, has resolved for now.

[Curious1411]

Thanks for your response. I find it interesting that I don’t have a WBC reading even though I am taking methotextrate and prednisone, and also PMR itself would show up as immunosuppressed.

I have read one article saying anything with biotin and anything with supplements that affect hair, skin and bones can throw the readings off. It can also throw off thyroid numbers.

One of the main ingredients in this Total Body Collagen is tryptophan. I took this supplement with about 16 oz of water just prior to the appointment.