I was reading Grammy80 earlier and her words popped into my brain. Symptoms Count. My problem is my blood tests (while I take prednisone) always show great numbers.
Even as I was going blind, my blood tests were not alarming. This is my new mantra as my rheumatologist always says the symptoms I report cannot be anything to do w GCA as my numbers are great. Ever onward!
You are spot on!
Refer him to this - the abstract says it all:
"Because occult giant cell arteritis is a potential cause of blindness, its early diagnosis is the key to preventing blindness; it is important to recognize that 21.2% of patients with giant cell arteritis and visual loss do not have any systemic symptoms of giant cell arteritis."
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/955...
Hayreh is insistent that all GCA is accompanied by raised CRP, albeit sometimes only slightly, but unfortunately I know a few with normal CRP levels who lost their sight due to GCA.
This line of thinking always annoys and frustrates me. Fortunately my rheumatologist takes the opposite view that symptoms trump blood tests. He will also say that I know my own body and what is happening. Very grateful he feels this way.
Wow! Clone that rheumie.💥
Your body will tell you what it needs, not a blood test
I agree. Rheumy does not. Need a new one.
Here, here, Alvertta~! Cheers to you! My lab work hasn't shown any inflammation for over a year...but inflamed I have been. Dorset Lady and PMRPro can quote the numbers of those of us who have symptoms but show no inflammation markers. They taught me that!💖
High white blood cell count
Phantom symptoms
Fingers locking up and jaw pain, new symptoms 
ESR and CRP Tests
Seeking advice - GCA symptoms?
