How often do you have blood tested?

[Peggles]

As above, I'm sure the info is on here somewhere, and I'm curious as to whether there's any value in checking Regularly and if it affects medication?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Peggles,

I think it's wise to keep a track of your bloods, but not to get paranoid about testing.

On my GCA journey, because after initial diagnosis, my GP and I managed it between us, I reduced on a monthly basis - provided I felt okay in myself, and blood tests were okay. Bloods tested on a Monday, saw Dr on Thurs, all okay dropped dose!

There was only one glitch when I was down to about 17.5mg and my ESR was high, although I felt okay in myself, so we re-tested a week later, ESR higher still so increased dose! I now know the ESR was high because I was very stressed about hubby and not having a flare, but because GP had missed original diagnosis she panicked a bit, and insisted I increased. So bloods can sometimes be misleading.

As I got lower - below 10mg I had bloods done about every 2 months just to monitor really. Apart from just after starting on high dose of Pred, my ESR was never very low, usually in the lower teens.

The Pred should keep your markers fairly low, but as I said other things can affect the readings, but after time, if you have them done regularly you get to know what is 'norm' for you!

[Peggles in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you - that's really helpful

[piglette]

I started off once a month and then over time went to once every three months, unless there was a glitch in my blood test results when I would have the next one sooner. I have the CRP and ESR done the most often, but also have U & E, Full Blood Test, B12 and Folates, vit D, liver function, glucose, possibly some others, done every six or twelve months.

[Akino]

Once a month right now. I'm in my fifth month of treatment.

[Retailmonkey]

Because I am taking Methotrexate as well as Prednisolone I have a blood test every four weeks and have texted result normally next day

[Patience_1]

My blood markers have never been very high, even at the beginning when I was in excruciating pain, so for me they're not the best indicators of how my pmr is progressing. I rely on my symptoms. However, I do get my blood checked every 3 months, to make sure all is as normal as can be - probably more to do with my wishes than my GP's, because I'm concerned about what wider effects the medication may be having.