Delay taking prednisolone until after blood test carried out?

[Pr0jection]

Every two months I have a variety of blood tests carried out. The most important ones for my rheumatologist seem to be ESR and CRP. I take my steroid dose at 8.00 a.m. and usually have my tests around 11.30 a.m. By then I can notice the good effect of the steroid. I'm due my next test in 10 days and I'm considering taking my daily dose of prednisolone (6.25mg) after my blood test this time to see if there's any difference in the results. Any advice will be welcomed. Am I wasting my time? Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There shouldn't be - especially if your dose is controlling your symptoms for the full 24 hours. The ESR shouldn't change that rapidly - it requires enough inflammation for long enough to affect the level.

[Pr0jection in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro. Since I've managed to get to 6.25mg where I've been for the last 2 months I've noticed that by about 3.00 a.m. the aches start up. Neck, shoulders and head in particular but also round the pelvic girdle. It's not so painful that I want to increase my dose back up to 7.5 mg but it feels like the pred dose from the day before is wearing off. However, when I've been up on my feet and moving around these aches do lessen considerably. As my inflammation markers have been so good for the last 2.5 years, which is why my rheumatologist says I should drop to 5mg with no tapering (I won't), then I wondered if taking my pred dose after the blood tests would show much, if any, difference. I suppose it won't do any harm to try....

[Exflex]

At one time I was on monthly inflammation blood tests, and I can’t recollect delaying Pred. But HbA1C is a different matter. I read a Dr saying delay the Pred the day of the blood test, so I would make an earlyish appointment.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Exflex]

I can see the point of not taking pred shortly before blood being taken for blood glucose - but Hba1c is a reflection of the average over the previous 3 months or so, a single dose of pred won't make any difference.

[Exflex in reply to PMRpro]

that’s a fair point.