bloodwork... how often? | Arthritis Information

How often do you get bloodwork done?

On my paper it says every 6 weeks. But I get my Remicade every 8 weeks. And my RD visits are every 8 weeks. So... why bloodwork every 6 weeks?

That must have to do with the docs preference, Joonie, because mine is every three months currently. It was every six weeks at one time, then every eight. I don't know... maybe if all continues to go well, it gets stretch out?

Joonie,

I used to do mine once a month, but since I've been in remission I now am every two months.

I think waddie is right. It's just a doctor's preference.....

Hi Joonie

Mine is every two months and only ALT/AST and CBC (due to Mtx) What testing are they doing for you every 6-8 weeks? I agree it's more than likely dr preference.

Cathy

Before remission it was every 2 months, now it's every 3 months and sometimes it's more like 14 weeks or so till I get around to having the labs drawn. My last full labs were 2 weeks ago in Mexico and the cost was .00. When I had them drawn in October in the U.S. they totaled about 0.00. Big difference for same results. Lindy Mines every 4 weeks on MTX because i'm a beer drinker. Doc says if I stop drinking we can do it every 8 weeks. Every 4 weeks is fine w/ me! Standing order for once a month to check ALT, AST, CBC, Chem profile, and ESR.

Bob

Yeah... I guess it does depend on the RD's preference.

I had one RD that never done bloodwork on me. I had another RD who done it every 3 months. And this current RD she wants it every 6 weeks.

I am just now sure why she would want me to have bloodwork done every 6 weeks, when my appts with her are every 8 weeks. She is too far for me to go to her office for bloodwork, especially when it would be 2 trips to there in the same month.

Or maybe I can get it worked out to where I can get my blood drawn when I go in for my Remicade infusion.

I am not sure. I just know I cannot make 2 trips over 60 miles away in one month.

I hope everything gets resolved for you soon, Kelstev.

joonie2009-01-16 00:46:00My RA dr. has only done bloodwork once this year. I take Plaquenil and Mobic. Joonie, I get mine done when I go in for the Remicade, every 7 weeks. I bet if you talked to your dr. she'd say that was okay. I'm an hour away from the hospital and wouldn't drive to town just to have the bloodwork done a week before I was going to go in anyway. When I was having the Remicade every 6 weeks they did it then, when I was doing it every 8 weeks they did it then. I think they just want it on a regular schedule so they can catch any changes.Mine is same standing order as Bob but every two months. Hmmm. Ranger- maybe I should suggest 1 x per month to my doctor too- I have not been listening to his advice of just 1 or 2 drinks per month.I get mine done once a month, then every 3 months I get a more thorough one. It doesn't cost me anything.

When I was traveling this summer I didn't get any for about 4 months and that was fine, too. Well... when I go back to her in February, I will ask her then about me getting my blood drawn on my infusion day.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

[QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]Mine is same standing order as Bob but every two months. Hmmm. Ranger- maybe I should suggest 1 x per month to my doctor too- I have not been listening to his advice of just 1 or 2 drinks per month.[/QUOTE]

Just be honest w/ your doc about your drinking. I stessed the fact to my doc that stopping drinking was no going to be an option. She felt MTX was still the way to go. And remember, unless your a raging drunk, the damage if it occurs is reversable. And then you can adjust your drinking accordingly. I've heard some say on here that once your liver gets out of whack you can't go back on MTX. According to my doc, this isn't true. MTX can be restarted when liver function returns to normal.

every two months... two weeks before my RD visit... every 3 months unless there's a problem. One time my liver was high and I was cked every month. Now it's fine and I'm back to 3 months.Since I'm still not doing well and I'm on a ton of meds, I get my standard bloodwork once a month just before seeing my rheumy. Typically he gets the CBC panel, hepatic panel, lipid panel, ESR and CRP. I think every 3-4 months he also does urinalysis. When I see him next week, I'm going to ask about checking the CCP and ANA which hasn't been done since diagnosis 2.5 years ago.

My insurance won't allow the infusion nurse who comes monthly to my home to draw my blood. I have to get it done at the local lab.