Blood tests

[Billsbits]

Hi I am new here, can anyone throw any light on how often blood tests should be taken when on Prednisolone? , many thanks

[AndrewT]

Dear Billsbits,

This is a 'Kind of Difficult' question to answer however I am not, I assure you, trying to be difficult here. The problem lies in the question, you say that you are on Prednisolone-which simply indicates that you May Very Well have an auto-immune condition. However, in itself, this doesn't give that much information. Sorry not to be that much help.

I CAN answer this question, in quite general terms, however. Tests will be made to ascertain the 'Nature', of your illness, this will generally involve Blood tests, quite probably some scans (ECG, MRI, maybe even a Brain Scan). You may also have to have some Physical Tests, Strength, Endurance and so forth.

I would be happy, indeed we all would, to give you further advice-If you can give more information about yourself.

Once again sorry that I can't really help, but Welcome To Our Group Billsbits (Love the 'name' by the way)

AndrewT

[Hidden]

Hi,

As Andrew says the devil is in the detail. Prednisolone doesn't require blood monitoring in the way that other immunosupressants do but much depends why you have been prescribed Prednisolone and for how long.

Have you been diagnosed with Vasculitis?

[Billsbits in reply to Hidden]

Hi thanks for the prompt reply I was diagnosed with polymyalgia some 4 or 5 years ago and was monitored every six months ,but had to change doctors eighteen months ago and the new docs do not think monitoring is required which I find a bit strange .

[Hidden in reply to Billsbits]

Hi Billsbits,

Most patients with PMR on Prednisolone don't have their bloods monitored unless there is a specific need.

What dose of prednisolone are you on, although PMR can take years to go into remission 4 to 5 years is a long time to take prednisolone. Have you ever seen a Rheumatologist?

My concern would be that you may become steroid dependant and be unable to taper.

[RayDonovan]

Most patients start feeling the effects of Prednisone within hours of taking the first one... Initial blood test was three weeks after started and then every three months after that...