Vitamins

[Robinsnest72]

I am now down to 1/2 of a 1mg prednisone after almost two and one half years. My only concern is my red blood cell count is still up . I am thinking of cutting back on my vitamin D. The doctor has me on 2000mg but I was also on 25mg of prednisone . I am thinking I may only need 1000 now. I have stopped vitamin K2 and also omega 3. One tends to take whatever they think will help and I just want my red blood count to go back to normal. Wondering what your opinion would be on this.

[piglette]

Has anyone checked why you might have a high red blood cell count?

[Robinsnest72 in reply to piglette]

Nope! The Rhemy just keeps saying don’t worry about it

[piglette in reply to Robinsnest72]

In that case it probably is nothing. You could always ask your GP if you are worried.

[HeronNS]

I don't know why any of the supplements you are cutting back on or dropping would affect your red blood count. Vitamin D and Vitamin K2 are both very important for bone health and the proper metabolism of calcium.

Maybe a rheumatologist isn't the right specialist for this?

I do know that high ferritin is one of the things autoimmune conditions can cause, which is why if someone with PMR is diagnosed with anaemia they need their ferritin, not just haemaglobin, checked to make sure an iron supplement is really needed.

If I were you I think I'd be asking my GP for guidance as to next steps.

[Robinsnest72 in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks, but with covid next to impossible to get into GPHave a phone appointment with Rhemy next week so I will press more for answers

[Pollyanna16 in reply to Robinsnest72]

Agree with HeronNS & it is vital we take a good dose of Vit D as a precaution against Covid at the moment. Your GP will phone you back I’m sure. Do you have the facility to email him & explain your concern?

[HeronNS in reply to Robinsnest72]

Good luck. Do let us know how you get on. This pandemic isn't helping any of us!

[Q-owl in reply to Robinsnest72]

I found it useful to email my GP with a letter attachment. She arranged to phone me.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

I wouldn't cut back on your vitamins and especially not D3 and K2. You need K2 for absorption. See my post about Calcium.

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Umm, did you mean this reply for Robinsnest72 ?

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Sorry Heron yes I did

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How high is your RBC count?

Nothing you mention is likely to influence it. Except the steroids - which can increase red blood cell production.

[Hidden]

Both my Red and White blood cells are abnormal on my last blood test. Doc wanted to repeat it which was done this Thursday. I was told it could be due to pred....will have to wait and see.