What does it all mean??

robertls

Now I'm on MTX, I'm having blood tests every 2 weeks......
and the results are being put in a little book..............great

Can anyone tell me what the results mean???? and the significance on the numbers???

Rob x

dachshund

Hi Rob.
I went for a blood test this morning because i felt worn out and i ache all over.
i had crp liver and the inflamation tests and there was a nother one but not sure what that was
i go back for the results on the 19 oct.
i hope yours are okay. joan xx

elnafinn

Dear Rob

I am sure that Wonky knows what it is all about but others will help you as this has come up every now and again as a thread. I remember reading on here some are provided with a book and others not, so you will be able to see your results in black and white, which is a good idea.

Chin up, the sun will shine again, promise,

Love
Elna xx

kathbee

Hi Rob

I've been on MTX for 9 yrs now along with Leflunomide and I too have a booklet which the nurse at the surgery fills out and posts it to me after my blood tests. After so many years of giving blood for testing I only have 3 monthly ones now, so it does get better.
As for me my veins play hard to get these days.

ESR, Erthrocyte Sedementation Rate,
CRP , C-Reactive Protein
and PV Plasma Viscocity are inflammation indicators

they will also check
liver function - ALT.
Heamaglobin (sp) - Hb,
white blood count - WBC,
platelets,
creatine
MCV, something to do with Cell Volume

Its best they keep an eye on these and they should contact you as soon as something is showing amiss.

Hope you do well on the MTX.
Kath

Wonkylegs

kathbee has said most of what I know.

however, do you have the hospital's own record book or the purple one issued by the National Patient Safety Agency? If you have the purple one, which I am told everyone on MTX should be given (but are not round here unless they go to the right hospital) then there are 'norma' ranges in there, and also lots of info about what the tests are for.

haven't got it with me right now, but I could get it out tomorrow if there are specific tests that you have had.

Otherwise, I have learned most from asking my GP and my Practice nurse.

robertls

Wonkylegs wrote:

kathbee has said most of what I know.

however, do you have the hospital's own record book or the purple one issued by the National Patient Safety Agency? If you have the purple one, which I am told everyone on MTX should be given (but are not round here unless they go to the right hospital) then there are 'norma' ranges in there, and also lots of info about what the tests are for.

haven't got it with me right now, but I could get it out tomorrow if there are specific tests that you have had.

Otherwise, I have learned most from asking my GP and my Practice nurse.

The booklet is Hospitals own version.....Buckinghamshire Hospitals
Test are .......
ESR
Hb
WCC
Platelets
AST
Alk. Phos
Urea
Creatinine
CRP



Rob x

ritwren

Hi Rob and everyone. I've found this for you and hope it helps

FBC Full Blood Count which will show a general analysis of blood

Hb Haemaglobin which is the oxygen carrying protein inside red blood
cells. Normal values are Male 13.5 - 17.5 Female 12-16
The test will show if you are anaemic.

ESR / CRP are indicators of imflammation CRP should be 0-6
ESR 0-15

WCC or WBC White Cell Count They include the lymphocytes which
protect your body from infections. Normal values for Lymphocytes
range from 1.5 to 4. If your Lymphocytes counts fall below 1.5 You
could be asked to stop treatment for a week or 2 until they get back
to normal. You could be at higher risk of infection if they drop.

Platelets
Normal values are 150-400 They help with clotting.
Low platelet count may cause you to bleed/bruise more easily



ALT/AST These are liver tests. Normal values are less than 50. They
tell how well your liver is working.

Urea and Creatinine show how your kidneys are working. Normal
values vary with age but are usually Urea 2.5-8 Creatinine 60-125

Hope it's been useful.
rita

skezier

Hi Rob,

I got one f those book as well. Now I understand what it means better thanks for asking

Its what they use as an indication of both how well the disease is being controlled and how your body is coping with the drugs. It seems a bit odd that they right it all down as they also have it on the screen. Still I, so far, have remembered to take mine with me for all the blood tests and they wright the last ones in as they do the new ones. It still is on the screen though.... Luv Cris x

robertls

ritwren wrote:

Hi Rob and everyone. I've found this for you and hope it helps

FBC Full Blood Count which will show a general analysis of blood

Hb Haemaglobin which is the oxygen carrying protein inside red blood
cells. Normal values are Male 13.5 - 17.5 Female 12-16
The test will show if you are anaemic.

ESR / CRP are indicators of imflammation CRP should be 0-6
ESR 0-15

WCC or WBC White Cell Count They include the lymphocytes which
protect your body from infections. Normal values for Lymphocytes
range from 1.5 to 4. If your Lymphocytes counts fall below 1.5 You
could be asked to stop treatment for a week or 2 until they get back
to normal. You could be at higher risk of infection if they drop.

Platelets
Normal values are 150-400 They help with clotting.
Low platelet count may cause you to bleed/bruise more easily



ALT/AST These are liver tests. Normal values are less than 50. They
tell how well your liver is working.

Urea and Creatinine show how your kidneys are working. Normal
values vary with age but are usually Urea 2.5-8 Creatinine 60-125

Hope it's been useful.
rita

Thanks Rita......................just what I wanted.......brilliant..

Rob x

jordan7j

Hi Rob, if yr book is like mine, purple basically, further alolng in back it gives you a list of what the abbreviations mean. Like Lyn said, they test for the usual stuff, Kath has given you a list of what they do. It is for kidney and liver damage, and then inflamation. My ESR levels went from 18 to 36 within 2 weeks, which means high inflamation levels. Make sure you take it with you each time, they enter the previous results and then keep an eye on it. The book also gives alot of info on mxt. I dont know if your rhuemy people are helpful, and give you info on the results, mine only do if I ask them. It all seems very matter of fact to them, so I always ask how its doing. Good luck Jay

Wonkylegs

I think the idea of having it written in a book is so that you carry it with you, and if you see anyone (even a dentist) who may not have access to your notes then they know what is 'normal' for you. I had to do this once when on holiday and it really helped knowing what my 'normal' bloods were like.

if you go to the National Patient Safety Agency website by following this link

http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/resources/?entryid45=59800

it will take you to a list of PDF files. Look down the files and if you click on the one second from the bottom which says

Oral methotrexate patient information leaflet & dosage record booklet - 111 KB
0267 - Oral methotrexate patient information leaflet & dosage record booklet - 2006 - V1

you can view an online PDF file of the purple record book that I was talking about earlier. The explanation of how the drug works etc can be helpful to refer to. I thought everyone had to have this if on MTX but perhaps it is only those who are in our area? :? :?