HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Blood Work & Humira

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/11/2014 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have my second loading dose of Humira on Wednesday. Also, I have two more weeks left on my Prednisone taper.

What blood work should I be having done while on Humira as well as being on a long stint of Predisone?

Symptoms I'm having, which I'm sure are med induced are ... severe muscle and joint pain, dizziness, shaking, headaches etc...

My calcium is 9.3 always and my potassium ranges from 3.5-4.2 .... I assume I should be doing a liver panel test while on Humira, but what else? I want to be extra cautious while on this drug. Also, I think Predisone messed me up tremendously!
Posted 8/11/2014 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
The bloods I had done while on Humira were: FBC, liver function, U&E, CRP and ESR.

I'm not sure about with pred - the above bloods are what I always get done.
Posted 8/11/2014 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have a cbc and liver function test done every 3 months, although that's due to the 6mp, not the remicade. I don't believe it's necessary for biologics like humira or remicade. 6mp and other immunosuppressive meds are monitored through blood tests beause they drop your white blood cell counts, but can't drop them too much or it's unsafe. Liver function tests check to make sure your liver isn't being damaged by the medication.
Posted 8/11/2014 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I was told on Humira to get the first blood test two weeks after my first dose (I got it the day after my second loading dose) and I was going to have to get the next one after about a month and once they were both ok, then every three months was fine. Things didn't work out for me, but that was going to be the plan!
Now on remicade I've been told I've to get bloods a week or two before each infusion. I'm not on any immunosuppressants with the biologics.
Posted 8/11/2014 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Aza as well and had to do all the liver function tests and FBC. Just didn't know I had to still do it with Humira. Oh the joys of these drugs. But, Humira is leading me into remission so YIPPPIII!!!!!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply