Imuran and blood tests

[lilninja]

Hello,

I have just started taking imuran today. I had blood work done before being put on imuran and I'm told I need to have more done in two weeks. I was wondering if it needs to be two weeks to the day as in two Saturdays from now or anytime after I've been on it two weeks? Also does anyone have an idea on how many blood tests I will have to take? How will the Dr and I know if imuran is working for me? Thank you for any help:thumleft:

 

[lowone]

I think it's just approximate... At least that is what I was told. Don't wait too long though, the blood tests are very important! They need to make sure we still have blood by stealing a little of it! (blood counts and liver functions)

My schedule went like this (anemic to start with) (CBC and CMP)
every 1 week for first 4 weeks
(Still anemic but not scary so)
Every 2 weeks for next 3 months
(Blood normal!!!!!)
Once a month for 3 months
(Then a anemic result, that must have scared the doctor, did test at 5:30pm and had 3 calls by 8am next morning )
Back to weekly!
(Though my last one was back to lowest end of normal)

My understanding is if we are/get "healthy" enough then eventually we get to drop down to 1 blood test every 3months!

And if you stay healthy then once every 3 months~ tell you stop taking it.

----

There is an additional test they will do after 3~4ish months to see if your dose has you at a therapeutic level. (Similar to the test to see if you can take imuran/aza/6mp). They gave me this additional one at 4months and it said my dosage was good. (Both my pre- 6mp and therapeutic tests were Prometheus ones)

 

[Catherine]

My daughter started with weekly blood tests for 5 weeks. I wouldn't go more 2 weeks for the blood test, especially with these early ones.

 

[hawkeye]

I don't remember what the testing was when I first started aza (that was over 20 years ago), but since then it was a follow up test every three months, but the frequency has been increased to every two months

 

[Catattack]

I had weekly tests for 12 weeks and now Im down to monthly...eventually down to three months for as long as Im on it. So yeah I would get in for your blood test (you want full blood count and liver function if they ask...my nurse did!). The main thing I are checking is that your white blood cell count does not drop too low (it wants to drop a bit as thats how it works-it prevents the replication of WBC which are causing the inflammation etc). I hope it works for you!