Meds before blood test?

[Fishponds50]

Hello daft question I’m sure .... but I have a full blood test on Tuesday at 9.30 am prior to a telephone rheumatology appointment towards the end of the month. I usually take my prednisolone after breakfast at 8.30 am, currently I’m on 10 mg, so my question is should I take my meds at my usual time or wait until after blood test? Thank you in advance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Why would you wait? Or have you been told to go for the blood test fasting?

The likelihood of the pred being fully into the bloodstream in an hour is small so it shouldn't be affecting anything. To some extent it depends how soon you need the effect to be able to function - some people wouldn't manage to get there until after the pred was working!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No issue. Only test where no meds are taken is usually fasting for cholesterol or checking Adrenals etc. If you haven’t been told not to, then take as normal

[Jeanfkelly]

As much as possible keep your medications to a regular time, regardless of blood tests/appointments.Your blood tests are monitoring your condition, taking your meds into consideration.

The effect Pred is having on your condition wil be obvious , or not.

That's what informs the way forward/ next steps.

Good luck

[Humphreydonk]

Not on prednisolone - my Dr was considering it but decided not at this time.

[2penguins]

My opinion is the same as two previous. If not fasting bloods then take meds as normal. They should be aware you're on Pred anyway.

[alansouthworth42]

Hi, should make no difference, whether you take before or after blood test, it won't affect your ESR reading.

[Fishponds50 in reply to alansouthworth42]

Thank you I wasn’t sure.

[Rene20]

I no longer take prednisolone, but when I did I always took it in the morning .must take Lansoprazole or Omeprazol at least 30 min before steriod as a stomach guard. Do you also take Adcal calcium tablets with vitimin D.. no change needed before blood test.

[Fishponds50 in reply to Rene20]

Yes I do take calcium tablets too. Thank you for your reply.

[SlowboatToTheIslands]

Take what you normally take at your normal time unless you have been told that you should not eat anything before your morning test (this can be so that levels of sugar and cholesterol can be read more accurately) in which case I would not take the pred either so as not to have it on an empty stomach but leave it until you have had breakfast.

[Fishponds50 in reply to SlowboatToTheIslands]

Thank you