blood work

[Guest guest]

A Lipid Panel would normally include:

Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL and LDL

A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

might vary from one lab to the next, but

would probably include most or all of these:

Glucose, BUN, Creatinine, Calcium,

Total Bilirubin, Albumin, Alk Phosphatase,

Bicarb Level, Total Protein, and possibly

Chloride/Sodium/Potassium, CO2 level.

[Guest guest]

When I had Kaiser they did not know what was in the comprehensive

metabolic panel. This is what Dr. G's office told me:

Sodium, Potassium, Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine, Phosophorus,

Albumin, SGOT,SGPT, Alkaline Phosphitase, Globulin, Trigycerides,

Cholesterol, Cholide, Glucose, Calcium, Uric Acid, LDH, GGT, Total

Bilirubin, Total Protein, A-G ratio.

Lici

Re: blood work

A Lipid Panel would normally include:

Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL and LDL

A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

might vary from one lab to the next, but

would probably include most or all of these:

Glucose, BUN, Creatinine, Calcium,

Total Bilirubin, Albumin, Alk Phosphatase,

Bicarb Level, Total Protein, and possibly

Chloride/Sodium/Potassium, CO2 level.

Responsibility for the content of this message lies strictly with

the original author, and is not necessarily endorsed by or the

opinion of the Research Institute.

[Guest guest]

Regina,

You might be able to get your doc to run them after you see Dr. goldberg and

a relationship can form between them. We only have our blood drawn every 2

months or so if needed. It varies with each patient.

Tina M. Hendrix

Cure2000@...

Vice-President, California Coalition

Neuro-Immune Dysfunction Syndromes

Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Learning Disorders, Hyperactivity, CFS,

etc.

[Guest guest]

Regina,

As with all things in life (as I'm sure you know), keep on moving on until

you find a cooperative doctor. I'd recommend going with an open-minded

family practioner or pediatrician who is willing to give you a referral to

Dr. Goldberg and formally records that referral on your child's medical

record. That way, you can bypass the local doctor's inability to read

sophisticated tests as well as get insurance to recognize and PAY for the

required tests. This is critical because these tests are costly!

We have lived in two states in completely different parts of the country

(southeast and midwest) and I have always found some reputable, in-network

doctor (usually a pediatrician, not a psychiatrist or neurologist) who is

willing to be the primary medical provider and acknowledges Dr. Goldberg's

role as the more global, strategic physician who addresses the more complex,

atypical challenges. Both of the pediatricians I have had (one in Florida;

the other here in Illinois) have commented how transformational and

significant the changes and growth have been. Hence, they've seen the

" proof " in my child's growth and development and are quite willing to play

the more " tactical " pediatrician role (dealing with broken bones, common

illnesses etc.) In fact, both state that the changes are nothing short of

amazing!

I truly do not mean to oversimplify this but I want you to know that getting

one doctor online can make access and coordination so much easier. It may

take a little bit more upfront effort, but its worth it in the long run, for

your financial health and mental well-being.

Best of luck to you!

Pat

blood work

> Hello,

> Thanks for hotel information.

> I have a question about blood work. When my son was diagnosed , the

> psychiatrist ordered some blood work for him and I was smart enough to

> circle some more tests in blood work order. I decided, blood drawing isn't

> much fun for Simon and if we are going to have it done, to do as much as

> possible. It was five tubes and I think it is a big volume for 2.8y old

boy.

> Now we have about 40% blood work done (CBC, sedimentation rate,

hypothyroid

> panel, ferritin level, lead level, B-12, comprehensive metabolic panel,

> SGOT/SGTP, IGA, IGM.IGG, IGE and allergy food screen)

> I went today to the family doctor and asked him to order for Simon other

> tests and he refused! He was so nice guy (before this), but I am not going

> to see him anymore. He told me that the rest of the tests are very

> " sophisticated " (I agree) and he can not order tests that he is not able

to

> read. I know that Dr.Goldberg prefer blood tests done on certain labs and

it

> is possible to draw blood in his office and be sure that it will go to

right

> place. So, it is solution for first visit.

> But I know that we'll need blood drawing each month (I do not now what

kind

> of tests) to monitor the progress. How do you guys deal with this? I hope

to

> find a doctor that will fill all forms for me, but if not? Does

Dr.Goldberg

> send to you already filled form and you can go to local lab for blood

> drawing?

> Thanks

> Regina

>

>

>

> Responsibility for the content of this message lies strictly with

> the original author, and is not necessarily endorsed by or the

> opinion of the Research Institute.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

I had my first experience with lab problems on my last visit. My white

blood count was low. We didn't decrease my MTX, but held it at the same

level rather than raising it.

I hope it's something minor, that won't require a big change in your meds.

Love and hugs,

Carol

[ ] blood work

Hi: I have just gotten a call from my doctor; they

got my lab results back on my last week's blood work

and she wants to talk with me about it. I figure it's

because there is an elevation in the liver enzymes.

When this happens, what do the doctors usually do?

When you are taken off the drugs, do the enzymes go

back to normal? Don't know what she could switch me

to - am on Metho, Arava, and Bextra now - and just

about everything we have to take for this RA seems to

affect the liver. Anybody else have any experience

with this? Just want to be prepared when I see her

Wednesday. Thanks.

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Kathe,

Are you taking folic acid? When my liver enzymes went up from mtx,

My doctor increased my folic acid and the levels went back to normal.

In most cases, stopping the medication that causes liver enzymes to

elevate will result in normal blood tests.

a

> Hi: I have just gotten a call from my doctor; they

> got my lab results back on my last week's blood work

> and she wants to talk with me about it. I figure it's

> because there is an elevation in the liver enzymes.

> When this happens, what do the doctors usually do?

> When you are taken off the drugs, do the enzymes go

> back to normal? Don't know what she could switch me

> to - am on Metho, Arava, and Bextra now - and just

> about everything we have to take for this RA seems to

> affect the liver. Anybody else have any experience

> with this? Just want to be prepared when I see her

> Wednesday. Thanks.

>

> Kathe in CA

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I have always just taken my folic acid on every day but MTX day.......never

had a problem with my liver enzymes ...Judy in AZ

[Guest guest]

My doctor told me my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, 35. He said normal

is 31. He is having me have blood work every two weeks for 8 weeks. I'm not

liking this much. I'm tolerating it pretty well, except for this. I guess we

will see what he says after today's blood work.

Debbie Mc

Re: [ ] blood work

Kathe,

Are you taking folic acid? When my liver enzymes went up from mtx,

My doctor increased my folic acid and the levels went back to normal.

In most cases, stopping the medication that causes liver enzymes to

elevate will result in normal blood tests.

a

> Hi: I have just gotten a call from my doctor; they

> got my lab results back on my last week's blood work

> and she wants to talk with me about it. I figure it's

> because there is an elevation in the liver enzymes.

> When this happens, what do the doctors usually do?

> When you are taken off the drugs, do the enzymes go

> back to normal? Don't know what she could switch me

> to - am on Metho, Arava, and Bextra now - and just

> about everything we have to take for this RA seems to

> affect the liver. Anybody else have any experience

> with this? Just want to be prepared when I see her

> Wednesday. Thanks.

>

> Kathe in CA

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

on 7/29/02 7:08 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

> Are you taking folic acid? When my liver enzymes went up from mtx,

> My doctor increased my folic acid and the levels went back to normal.

> In most cases, stopping the medication that causes liver enzymes to

> elevate will result in normal blood tests.

So how much folic acid do you take now? I take three 400mcg pills a day. So

far on just mtx, my liver enzymes have been fine. My white blood cell count

is slightly down, and I wonder if that will get worse now that I'm taking

Arava, too.

I recently read that you shouldn't take folic acid on the day that you take

the mtx. Has anyone been told this by their rheumatologists? I might start

skipping it on Wednesdays, when I take my mtx.

Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

Debbie,

Maybe your doctor will increase your folic acid and your levels will

decrease. I hope so, especially since you¹re tolerating it so well.

a

> My doctor told me my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, 35. He said normal

> is 31. He is having me have blood work every two weeks for 8 weeks. I'm not

> liking this much. I'm tolerating it pretty well, except for this. I guess we

> will see what he says after today's blood work.

>

> Debbie Mc

[Guest guest]

Hi a:

Yes, I take 400 mcg of Folic Acid a day - had not

heard that you were not supposed to take it on the

same day you take the mtx. When I was only on mtx I

had no problem, but now that I have added the Arava I

wonder if the combination of the two is the problem.

Both are pretty hard on your liver. Hopefully, either

increasing the Folic Acid or not taking the

medications for a while will help if the liver enzymes

are elevated (don't know what else on my blood work

she would need to talk with me about, usually they

just let me know everything is fine). Not taking any

meds for the RA will be rough, but if it helps the

enzymes I will do it!

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue...did it say why you shouldn't take folic acid on MTX days? I've

been on MTX over 3 years and take 400mcg's of folic acid day in day out.

My liver enzymes are ok.

Love...

Tess

[Guest guest]

Me too! After reading some more here, I'm taking 1mg of folic acid a day and my

MTX is 7.5 mg a week. I can't tell if that's comparable to what others are

taking as far as the folic acid is concerned.

Debbie Mc

Re: [ ] blood work

Debbie,

Maybe your doctor will increase your folic acid and your levels will

decrease. I hope so, especially since you¹re tolerating it so well.

a

> My doctor told me my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, 35. He said normal

> is 31. He is having me have blood work every two weeks for 8 weeks. I'm not

> liking this much. I'm tolerating it pretty well, except for this. I guess we

> will see what he says after today's blood work.

>

> Debbie Mc

[Guest guest]

<< I recently read that you shouldn't take folic acid on the day that you

take

the mtx. Has anyone been told this by their rheumatologists?>>

Hi Sue,

I take 2 mg of folic acid every day except the day I take my MTX, per my

rheumy's instructions. He said the MTX is less effective if you take it

with folic acid.

Love and hugs,

Carol

Re: [ ] blood work

on 7/29/02 7:08 PM, a at paula54@... wrote:

> Are you taking folic acid? When my liver enzymes went up from mtx,

> My doctor increased my folic acid and the levels went back to normal.

> In most cases, stopping the medication that causes liver enzymes to

> elevate will result in normal blood tests.

So how much folic acid do you take now? I take three 400mcg pills a day. So

far on just mtx, my liver enzymes have been fine. My white blood cell count

is slightly down, and I wonder if that will get worse now that I'm taking

Arava, too.

I recently read that you shouldn't take folic acid on the day that you take

the mtx. Has anyone been told this by their rheumatologists? I might start

skipping it on Wednesdays, when I take my mtx.

Sue in NC

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

This has happened to me a couple of times. Most notiably on Arava. At

first my enzymes were fine but, unfortunately, kept increasing. I

don't recall if my dosage was reduced. I have had that happen also

when my enzyme levels were high. The main thing is that the meds

still work effectively. For me though, my enzymes got so high I had

to stop taking it.

After I went off Arava more blood work was done and my levels

returned to normal.

Hope this answers your question somewhat.

Take care and best of luck.

Al

> Hi: I have just gotten a call from my doctor; they

> got my lab results back on my last week's blood work

> and she wants to talk with me about it. I figure it's

> because there is an elevation in the liver enzymes.

> When this happens, what do the doctors usually do?

> When you are taken off the drugs, do the enzymes go

> back to normal? Don't know what she could switch me

> to - am on Metho, Arava, and Bextra now - and just

> about everything we have to take for this RA seems to

> affect the liver. Anybody else have any experience

> with this? Just want to be prepared when I see her

> Wednesday. Thanks.

>

> Kathe in CA

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

I take 2 a day. Yes I¹ve been told not to take it on the day you take mtx.

It even says it on my prescription. It decreases the effectiveness of the

mtx.

a

>

>

> So how much folic acid do you take now? I take three 400mcg pills a day. So

> far on just mtx, my liver enzymes have been fine. My white blood cell count

> is slightly down, and I wonder if that will get worse now that I'm taking

> Arava, too.

>

> I recently read that you shouldn't take folic acid on the day that you take

> the mtx. Has anyone been told this by their rheumatologists? I might start

> skipping it on Wednesdays, when I take my mtx.

>

> Sue in NC

>

[Guest guest]

HI I take 15mgMTX once a week and 2-1mg tablets of folic acid every day but

MTX day...I have taken as many as 20 mg MTX a week and increased folicacid to

3-4 a day depending on my mouth sores...they did increase like crazy then. I

had to buy over the counter folic acid a while ago(pharmacy ran out of 1 mg

tabs..)so I had to take 8 -400 mcg folic acid tabs till other came in. They

were cheap but I was very glad to get the 1 mg tabs back ..an extra 6 pills a

day is a pain when you already are taking 20-25 aday of others.JUdy in AZ

[Guest guest]

on 7/30/02 12:43 AM, Tess_St_Pierre@... at Tess_St_Pierre@...

wrote:

> Hi Sue...did it say why you shouldn't take folic acid on MTX days? I've

> been on MTX over 3 years and take 400mcg's of folic acid day in day out.

> My liver enzymes are ok.

Tess, see a's response. She says it makes the MTX less effective. That

makes sense. But no one told me not to take it on the same day I take the

MTX; I had to find it out for myself.

Are you sure you're taking enough? I was told to take 1 mg. Since my pills

are 400 mcg, I take three.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue I take 3 of the 400mcgs per day, too. I'm sure glad you all

brought this up...I'd never know!

Love & Hugs...

Tess

[Guest guest]

I would assume you could...when I took the other amount from over the counter

the pharmacist told me how to make it equal what I needed.You can overdo

anything if you take enough of it. I know that I get mouth sores the morning

after my MTX ... and they go away after I take the folic acid

again(eventually)...but it has gotten to be a regular thing lately.Judy in Az

[Guest guest]

Can you take too much Folic acid?

Debbie Mc

Re: [ ] blood work

HI I take 15mgMTX once a week and 2-1mg tablets of folic acid every day but

MTX day...I have taken as many as 20 mg MTX a week and increased folicacid to

3-4 a day depending on my mouth sores...they did increase like crazy then. I

had to buy over the counter folic acid a while ago(pharmacy ran out of 1 mg

tabs..)so I had to take 8 -400 mcg folic acid tabs till other came in. They

were cheap but I was very glad to get the 1 mg tabs back ..an extra 6 pills a

day is a pain when you already are taking 20-25 aday of others.JUdy in AZ

[Guest guest]

> Can you take too much Folic acid?

>

> Debbie Mc

>My doctors have told me I can take up to 5mg if necessary, but that

could differ with different people. I was told that when I was

having a problem that related to the Methotrexate, to tired to

remember what the problem was right now. I am also taking 27 mg

injectable of methotrexate a week that might make a difference also.

in WA

[Guest guest]

Thanks ! I think I'll ask my doctor about upping it abit when I call to

see what my blood test showed from Monday. With having blood tests every 2

weeks, we would be able to see the results pretty quickly.

Debbie Mc

[ ] Re: blood work

> Can you take too much Folic acid?

>

> Debbie Mc

>My doctors have told me I can take up to 5mg if necessary, but that

could differ with different people. I was told that when I was

having a problem that related to the Methotrexate, to tired to

remember what the problem was right now. I am also taking 27 mg

injectable of methotrexate a week that might make a difference also.

in WA

[Guest guest]

Valeri

A viral infection can cause a temporary decrease in the white

count. Your pediatrician may want to repeat in in a couple of weeks.

Ilene

> Jenna's fever topped out at 104 yesterday. The MD ordered blood

and urine

> tests (ears, nose, throat, etc. were all fine). One of the panels

came back

> showing her white blood cell count at 3,000. The normal range was

6,000 to

> 10,000.

>

> Anyone have any idea what this means? Should we stop the

chelating? How

> can I get this higher? Anyone else had this?

>

> Valeri, mom to:

> Jenna (4 1/2 ASD)

> (3 1/2 NT)

> LeeLee (1 1/2 NT)

[Guest guest]

maybe try childrens hosp on sunset. i agree with you, last time blood drawn

was VERY difficult for everyone. good luck! vicki in los angeles