Blood Work

[Athena2020]

Hello , Can Prednisone throw off blood work such as small elevated reading of Lymphocytes , and WBC count . I also had a low Glucose count. I took my prednisone one hour and a half before did my blood work this morning. I am worried.

Evelyn

[SnazzyD]

It is normal to have a raised white blood count because Neutrophils are elevated. How low was the low glucose?

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

The glucose was 2.5. Lymphocytes were high 4.8.

[SnazzyD in reply to Athena2020]

Were you feeling ok? 2.5 would usually make someone feel pretty rough. It is possible that you had had a sugar spike due to the Pred (because that’s what it causes) and your body had responded with a big surge in insulin to clear it and possibly the glucose was taken just at that point. I’m assuming this wasn’t done with a finger prick test but venous blood.

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes I was feeling fine expect for my usual pain.

[Athena2020 in reply to Athena2020]

Thank you

[Athena2020 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you

[SheffieldJane]

I don’t think that Pred makes a difference. The only time I have been advised not to take it before a blood test was when my Cortisol function was being tested - a Synacthen Test. What did the doctor say about low glucose levels? If anything Pred can elevate them, I think.

[Athena2020 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes that is what i think as well. I will speak to the Dr.

[Athena2020 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes that is what think as well. I will speak to the Doctor. I am concerned with the elevated Lymphocytes .

Thank you for your reply

[DesertDeuces]

Hello Athena, I haven't heard anything about prednisone throwing off bloodwork results. Doctor orders bloodwork for me frequently, too. When my bloodwork shows any abnormalities it's understandable in my case.

I really want to check this out by googling it. I'll reply with what I find, if anything.

Very interesting question.

[Athena2020 in reply to DesertDeuces]

Thank you

[DesertDeuces]

Oh, one thing I just remembered. My A1c was high (before ever taking prednisone) and I was not diabetic. I have lots of allergies and A1c reads high when someone has allergies.

What does this have to do with prednisone? Taking steroids can cause significantly high blood sugar levels. I'm not sure how this would affect your specific situation, but thought I'd let you know this.

Doctor tried to get me to take insulin, which I refused, because I knew my allergies were causing the high A1c reading. I just went home and took allergy meds and did my best to avoid allergens.

One doctor had strongly insisted that I take Albuterol Sulfate for my asthma. I told her I'm very allergic to sulfas. She said it doesn't matter, I needed the Albuterol. After a few years I decided to stop the Albuterol. I quickly lost 45 pounds (3 months) without changing my diet or doing anything to affect my weight. All the weight was in my belly area. My belly went down like a deflated balloon. Come to find out, the Albuterol Sulfate was causing severe inflammation of my colon. And, my A1c also dropped to normal.

So, I suspect prednisone can affect your blood test results in some ways. Check with your doctor. I did read that when a doctor knows his patient is on steroids like prednisone, he takes that into account when reading the blood test results.

[Athena2020 in reply to DesertDeuces]

Yes doctors should take that into account. Thank you for your response