What's the best time to have tests: before or after an antibiotic round?

minnietoty

Veteran Member

Joined : Dec 2010

Posts : 3179

Posted 1/14/2018 11:09 PM (GMT 0)

Two weeks ago, my GI ordered a panel of 13 tests: inflammatory markers, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, liver and kidney enzymes and CBC. For some odd reason, I haven't done them. I'm not going to say busy though I was. I didn't feel like doing them. I knew I had to do them and that was inevitable. It also never crossed my mind that I will get this sudden flare up and will have to take a round of rifaximin for two weeks. I also have to have infliximab trough level. Should I have the tests now or wait until I finish the antibiotic? It's the first time I don't follow my GI's orders. I simply felt I'm not up to it. It was quite strange that he did not ask about them. He only stresses I should have infliximab trough level tested prior to the infusion.

straydog

Forum Moderator

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 19850

Posted 1/15/2018 1:02 AM (GMT 0)

Personally, I would do the labs now & get it over with. The abx's are not going to be anything that would upset the apple cart so to speak. Being on Remicade it is important to keep it in check to make sure you are not building up antibodies. I sort of look at stuff this way, if I don't do simple tests like this, then lets say the dr doesn't put in my order for Remicade because I was non-compliant, I can't blame him.

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