Is a high level of Neutrophil linked to Pred?

[Motida]

I had a blood test last week mainly for Diabetes but I noticed thaat Neutrophil level (white blood cell count) was 8.2 in a normal range of 1.7 to 7.5.

As NHS sends results to our accounts now, I read the accompanying information which was rather alarming.

Does anyone know whether my result is linked to taking Pred since 2022 and now on 7 mg or whether I should raise it with the GP who has indicated "No Action"?

The other thing is the GP said they dont test Vit D levels any more in our practice. Is this usual?

Glad to say the Diabetes level was well down and in safe ranges.

Many thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a common response to taking pred. It would have to be much higher than that for them to worry and would be accompanied by other changes in white cells.

The vit D check has been difficult to get at some GPs for a long time. Cost-saving ...

[Motida in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much. A big relief. With the Vit D, I will just keep taking the tablet each day and sitting in the sun whenever possible! I am reviewing taking the Vit K though after what I read on our forum.

Have a reasonable week everyone.

[Gimme]

I have an idea that I read something indicating that neutrophil count was a better measure of inflammation in PMR patients than the inflammatory markers, since some of us (me included) have never had raised markers. But I am not sure if I imagined that. My brain is totally fogged today, too much to go and have a wee google to see if I made it up.

Funnily enough, this morning, I was looking back over some of my blood results because, I wanted to check the history for my Hba1c, which quite predictably goes up and down with my weight. What did interest me is the way that my total white cell count fluctuates. I noticed that when it goes right up, it coincides with when my pain has been bad, which might tie in with my theory that I get a flare whenever I get a viral infection. Something else for me to investigate when my brain is feeling less fuddled.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gimme]

This?

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/365...

It also mentions calprotectin which is already being used in patients on Actemra in Germany.

But I think they are all very non-specific - something that is definitive would be nice ...

[Gimme in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, that rings a bell, do believe it is the paper that I saw. Thank you. Very interesting.

Although, that said, I thought I had seen that neutrophil assay could be used as a marker, but that might be the bit that I made up.