What tests should my GP run other than ESR CRP

I normally just have ESR and CRP done regularly, monthly idpf a problem, every three months if not, then U & E and Full Blood Test done, the printout last time said these can be done every year if no problems. Also Glucose and vitamin D as I was deficient. When I was first diagnosed I had lots of other blood tests too including RA and thyroid. 

I forgot to say that beetroot is supposed to reduce blood pressure. People who take the supplements rave about it. I just drink beetroot juice and eat beetroot.

Your blood pressure is much too high. You should be concerned about having a stroke at that rate. 

I have read where prednisone can make your bp high. You must do something to get that lowered.

Hi everyone

Ive gone the extremes from very lowBP to now as you say stroke. I'm into GP tomorrow and I'm sure i will be on yet another pill.

Just looking for what blood work, i was low in D and B6 but wondering about recommendation for others.

You guys are great thanks

Mariane

Off to my gransons confirmation.

I have something called "white coat syndrome"   That means that when

you are in a medical setting nerves get the best of you.  I have

a blood pressure cuff at home and take my b/p usually every few

days and keep a log.  My Primary understand this and this condition

is very common. I take my log in for him to look at every appt and

so far it's not been a problem. I am on two b/p meds.  I hope your condition is that

simple and very solvable...I've gone up that high and higher and never had a stroke.    Maybe check into this possibility.....

When I first when on pred 15 mg my bp went to 150/100. I never had such a high number. I was treated for about a month but didn't tolerate hctz or lisinipril. In the meantime my bp came down with even slight reductions in pred. My internist and rheumatologist say the bp elevation is from pred. A short term bp treatment seems wise. I also record it daily and show it to my doctors.

Your high BP is most probably due to the prednisone.

Here's some standard blood tests you migh want your GP to do:

The Chemistry Panel and Complete Blood Count (CBC)

Fibrinogen

Hemoglobin A1C

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA),

Homocysteine

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT).

Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglycerides

Comprehensive meatbolic panel (CMP)

My BP was raised - but whether it was the pred or the atrial fibrillation the PMR probably caused is anyone's guess. It is the lower reading that is most important really - I do hope your lower BP reading isn't 185! It's managed very well on medication - probably too well at times! Your GP may feel a 24-hour BP monitor would be useful - which tends to circumvent the white coat syndrome by measuring every 1/2 hour during the day, hourly at night. It's not as bad as you'd think, I had one done a couple of months ago. It is important to know if your BP is falling overnight as it should and whether it is over-responding to exercise for example. I found why I had had some strange dizzy turns - I was having a hot flush and because I was vasodilating my BP dropped rather low. It just so happened that the device was measuring just then so we saw what happened!

They'll do a load of stuff because of the BP (I'd hope anyway) but on a regular basis, say every 3-6 months, you should have urea and electrolytes, calcium, Hba1C (monitors long term blood sugar levels), lipoproteins (cholesterol and other lipids), liver enzymes, full blood count (red cells, white cells, differential, haemoglobin) done.

If you have an obliging doctor, vit D is useful to know - but once it has been done it doesn't need to repeated every few months unless you were deficient and need supplements when you then need to know that it stays high enough. As ptolemy says - thyroid, and B12 and folate might be useful to have done as a one off. Your GP might have other ideas as to what would be a good idea.