Blood

[Constance13]

To all longtimers (4 years or so). How often do you now have blood tests?

[suzy1959]

Hardly ever! My Rheumy does not set much, if any, store by CRP and ESR results. I sometimes ask for checks on Vit D, blood sugar, Calcium etc.

[Constance13 in reply to suzy1959]

You have an unusual Rheumy then.😏

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Towards the end of my journey I had ESR tested about every 3 months.

As Suzy, I have annual tests for liver, kidneys, blood sugars, cholesterol etc - but that’s norm! All have improved since I came of Pred 18 months ago.

GCA 5.5yrs, Pred 4.5yrs

[Constance13 in reply to DorsetLady]

That’s what my doctor expects - 3 months. I just wondered if it was necessary.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Constance13]

It’s entirely up to you. Some people like to monitor it, but as we’re always saying symptoms are the key!

[Longtimer]

Every 6months just before rheumy appointment, to which I like and am grateful, it picked up last time I am prediabetic.....

I

[TooSore]

It was every 3 months until last year but now it seems it's 6 months. I suspect I'd get it more frequently if there were a problem. Regular blood work with a physical as well.

[Hindags]

I've been having ESR/CRP before every taper ordered by Rheumy. I have to ask my GP to order AIC and Cholesterol panels, kidney and liver tests. Next time I'll ask him to add TSA or whatever thyroid test is warranted since I learned on this forum recently that Pred can lower thyroid. I'm having more trouble lately with fatigue.

[Patience47]

At the beginning about every 4 months; now every 6 months.

[Mrs-CJ]

My GP has given me a standing order for a CRP blood test. That means I can go to the lab whenever I want to have the test. He believes it will help me determine when it’s ok to reduce my prednisone (for my PMR). I always listen to my symptoms.....and may only get the CRP done every few months.

[SusanEleven]

It’s been two years since diagnosis. My blood tests are every three months.

[Telian]

I'm 4 years on and everything is good with my bloods ESR/CRP - saw Prof Dasgupta yesterday and he likes 3 monthly tests and the week prior next consultation - that's assuming no symptoms!

[Constance13]

It seems to be either 3 or 6 months then. I’ll stick to 3 months then. What Prof Dasgupta doesn’t know about PMR wouldn’t be worth knowing.

Thank you everyone for your input.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It has been rarely - they don't show anything anyway. But my new rheumy seems to intend doing them every 3 months.