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Posted 3/15/2012 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello folks,

I am just curious the test you perform in your regular blood work. So far I have been doing only total blood count and liver function test. The new GI added Thyroid test in addition but noticed that my B12 has never been tested, so I wonder what else I am missing.

May be I should add one more thing, I have been on and off Pred all of 2011 and now on longest course since my diagnosis, 40mg since mid Jan. What tests should I include as a result of Pred course?

Thanks in advance.
Posted 3/15/2012 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have CBC and liver regularly. I request kidney testing every so often, prob 2x a year. Vitamin D is good to have checked. I haven't done B12 but I would like to! I also get my 6mp level checked every so often but since I am unemployed, I don't know when I will be able to afford that test again.
Posted 3/16/2012 9:39 AM (GMT 0)
Could you please tell me what tests do they do for kidney?
Posted 3/16/2012 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
Have your DHEA-Sulfate levels checked. Most people with auto immune disorders have low dhea. It is very easy and cheap to fix with supplements.
Posted 3/17/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Bumping up the thread. GI appointment is next week so more the responses, better for me to decide. Pls folks, just drop your blood work list.
Thanks.
Posted 3/17/2012 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
     My GI doctor used to ask to have my CRP done every once in awhile.  I believe that is for inflammation.  Not sure.  Don't know how valuable it is because mine was always within normal limits even when I was flaring badly rolleyes .  While on 6MP, I had monthly blood tests, cbc, liver function (which was always abnormal but my doctor kept me on the stuff anyway) and pancreatic enzyme levels.

     Don't know whether you already do, but very important to take calcium with D while on prednisone.  The first two years I suffered with UP, my GI doctor never told me this.  I found out the hard way, developed full blown osteoporosis which I will suffer with the rest of my life. 

     I had a total colectomy with end ileo in 2010, so, off all meds except my one BP med. yeah

Posted 3/17/2012 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
b12 and D levels are silly to test in my opinion. during a flare I am injected with a b shot and all of us need to be taking all of our vitamins regularly since our faulty intestines don't absorb the minerals and vitamins they should. if it takes a test for someone to realize they need to be taking b and d vitamins I guess do it but it is a waste in my opinion since it should already be part of all of our treatment plans to take them. iron tests are the ones I do once a year. during a flare I am prescribed iron pills so I take them. I do my white blood cell count from home as well as the fecal blood tests. yearly I have my liver checked since I take a ton of pain medication. most of the tests the doctors run can be avoided by simply getting used to your disease and being proactive like the vitamin testing if you are taking them regularly you should be fine. Like I said if you are comfortable you may be able to start doing your own bloodwork at home...only if you are comfortable. Going to my doctor is a giant pain and when I am in pain it is the last thing I want to do so I took some classes and now do all my tests at home and mail them in so he can chart the results and call me if we have an issue. Good luck I hope your testing comes back well
Posted 3/17/2012 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
I just had blood taken for a follow-up appointment next week. I can't remember everything that was on it, but I know it included liver function, a range of vitamins, iron, calcium, and a random glucose reading.
They're also checking my CRP, which is an inflammatory marker. I'm very interested in my number, since it was CRP test that got me the colonoscopy that lead to my diagnosis last summer. A clinic doctor was able to convince the GI that I needed to be checked for colitis when my CRP came back at 16 (the high end of normal is 8). I'm hoping that having been in remission for several months is reflected in my current CRP level.
Posted 3/17/2012 8:56 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you everyone for your ideas.

@ Gonk,

Thanks for the pointer. I have included that test in my list.

@ Christine1946,

Thanks for the idea on Calcium and Vit. D. I admit, I don't take supplemental calcium apart from what I get in my multivitamin (which is 15% RDI) but I do take 2000 IU of Vit. D 5X a day (weekdays). I am on steroids on and off for all of the last year and now on 40mg since the new year. CBC, Liver function tests and Pancreatice Amylase are included by default.

@ Equestrianne12,

I didn't quite understand why you think testing B12 and D are not useful. I looked back at my test results from 2008 and noticed that my B12 was only 150 when the range said, it should be 400 to 900. I was put on 1000mcg of B12 but it is not checked since and I didn't know how important it is. So I think, it should be checked.

With Vit. D, those of us living in North and lack sunlight as much as the ones in FL or CA, we do need to know if we ned to take more or less, so a number is useful pointer. An excess would just cause toxicity and I would like to avoid any further complications.

As you mentioned, our intestines don't absorb very well so how do know you if your multivitamin is also getting absorbed and hence I am little fanatic about a number. It gives me a clear cut idea where I should go from here.

Doing your bloodwork at home, where do you get the kit from? I have done many of the things when I was in the pharmacy school but haven't done anything at home (lack of equipments and reagents) but if I can get a kit that requires just a prick and not drawing blood (and its cheaper than insurance) then I will do it.

@ Wells,

A range of vitamins, thats one of the things I would like to know more precisely. Ideally, I would like to do ALL the vitamins and minerals but the question is, if that is really necessary. I am planning to start on Magnesium in 2/3 weeks time for my migraine so I would actually like to test serum Mg level we as well. Before I do that, I want to have majority of baseline numbers in my hand.

All are great suggestions, please keep them coming.

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