Good news re white blood cell count

[gillsky8]

Well the GP sent me for blood tests this morning and the good news is the level has dropped, so he is happy that is going in the right direction.

Still a couple of abnormal readings though with regard to blood count Haemoglobin, Haematocrit

MCHC Neutrophil count Monocyte count but nothing that he seems to be overly concerned about, so I guess down to the steroid use now and hopefully will turn to normal during tapering.

I've tried to research a bit on prednisolone effect on blood counts, found a couple of articles here and there, but they are pretty complex.

Hopefully heading in the right direction ...........

👍😀

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What are the Hb and haematocrit results?

Chronic illness, especially autoimmune, can lead to anaemia. If the no of red cells is on the low side or they are small. then the haematocrit can be low, the volume of red cells is lower than it is normally. In its turn that leads to low haemoglobin.

[gillsky8 in reply to PMRpro]

Hb is 109 g/L up from 107 last test less than a week ago and it is showing normal to be 110 so not too far off Haematocrit is 0.356 again is up from a week ago when it was 0.336 its all double dutch to me, but the GP was happy with white cell first and foremost and no adverse concerns over the others

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to gillsky8]

Yup - all going the right way!

[gillsky8 in reply to PMRpro]

THANK YOU. It's so reassuring to have this page and your responses. I have a son with Aspergers who is worrying everyday since I was diagnosed and trying to put his mind to rest is a big issue for me, so I'm grateful for your message.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to gillsky8]

Bless him! My spectrum OH never really worried about anything medical applying to me - he just ignored it until a doctor (a colleague and friend) practically kicked him ...