First blood test

[Lindsayf]

Hi all

My Dad’s GP wants to test my Dad’s blood each time there is a Pred reduction. He first reduction is 10% for 4 weeks and so on.

Does he take his Pred as normal on the day of his blood test?

Thanks

[MrsNails]

Hi Lindsay - yes he just takes it as normal - his inflammation markers should be coming down, that doesn’t mean he’s better just the Pred are doing their job.

[Lindsayf in reply to MrsNails]

thank you so much

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No need to stop Pred.

I always had mine done a few days BEFORE reducing -and provided I felt okay (which is the more important part of the equation) and markers were as well we went ahead with taper.

Blood are not the be all and end all as MrsNails says…symptoms , or rather lack of them are the key.

[Lindsayf in reply to DorsetLady]

he is feeling much better now and symptoms have 99% gone

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Lindsayf]

Good, pleased to hear it, but the tricky bit comes now as he reduces -so long as he feels okay each time he’ll be okay. But if in doubt - wait a bit.

How he feels rules the roost, not the calendar…

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Nice to know there are sensible doctors out there!!! Were the levels high at diagnosis? Often helpful to keep a diary of blood results and symptoms or lack of them at the time.

[borednow in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed!! I had almost given up hope - well done him (or her).

[Lindsayf in reply to PMRpro]

Hi

His results prior to Pred:

serum C reactive protein levels 43mg/L The range is 0.00 - 5.00mg/L

Erythrocyte sedimentation 42mm/h the range is 0.00 - 30.00mm/h

Also the Locum has given him Adcal at 1500mg. Does he need to take a K2 with that? And does he need to take it away from Pred?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lindsayf]

Yes to away from pred - pred for breakfast, calcium for lunch and dinner (in 2 instalments, preferably with some food, you only absorb up to about 500mg at a time and a bit of fat helps). K2 - I've never taken it and my bone density is fine. There are very strong proponents on the forum for it though. I'm more a vit D supporter - I take 4000 IU a day, summer and winter. Without it, my vit D level slowly and steadily slumps into insignificance!