Blood tests GCA

[Crommie]

When bloods done for GCA should the ESR level and the Serum C reactive protein marker be tested.. The nurse seems to have stopped requesting the latter.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Early days I had both done, but as time went by, ESR the only one...think it may depend on GP and/or lab it goes to...and finance probably - two test, two fees!

You could ask the question...🤔

[Crommie in reply to DorsetLady]

April, May and June both done. Both back to normal levels but could have been prednisolone. July and August just ESR. Will ask the question. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Crommie]

Should be back to "normal levels"- and yes that's due to the Pred.

You will probably be told it's not necessary to do both...and that's a fair point.. both are recommended for diagnosis... but after than monitoring one is okay... and as you go along once every few months is fine. Unless of course you have symptoms..

If that one begins to look out of kilter, then both may be done.... but there do seem to be a lot on here who struggle to get them done regularly.

If you haven't read this post -might be of interest - there are related posts as well -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Depends on the doctor/lab. Really it should be both - but there are disputes about which is more relevant. Whatever - every patient is different and they really should look and see which is most relevant for you.

If it rises again - it is a sign that you aren't really on enough pred. That's the reason for checking them

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

Mine being done every 2 weeks at present. Guess I'm fortunate. Nowhere near normal last time. Good to hear yours are down. Hope to be there soon.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cycli]

MIne were never up though!!!!!

[cycli in reply to PMRpro]

weird. Must have been difficult explaining symptoms with no such marker. we're all different. Would be nice to medicate according to biometric data and gene print. Maybe they will get there. Would enable targeting for individual.

[csummerday in reply to cycli]

What is normal? Thanks

[cycli in reply to csummerday]

good question...the older I get the more I realise there is no such thing as normal...average yes but normal ..no.

[herdysheep]

that's why it is helpful to keep a record of your own readings to help see any pattern etc.

[cycli in reply to herdysheep]

have done so since diagnosis. Its useful as days tend to blur the longer we get into this and the differences get averaged out. Changes are significant.