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Big 3 and Ongoing Bloodwork for MAC
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Mar 15, 2017 | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
I have a 3 month fu appointment with my pulmonologist this week. I am on the BIG 3 antibiotics and have been on them for 3 months now.
For my 3 month FU, I just did a follow up audiology test, eye exam (peripheral vision, optic nerve health, etc) and my next appt is with the pulmonologist.
In terms of blood work, what is traditionally recommended for follow up?: Liver panel, kidney panel, Vit D, B 12, CMP?
Also my neuro-opthomologist suggested a 4-6 month follow up. In the interim he gave me a wallet size ambler test card to check my vision and suggested I do the online color test. Do you suggest waiting the 6 months.. and making the appt earlier if there are any changes or the 4 months. Thanks for your help.
Judy
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@judyem, Hello Judy, The below are some notes I have made on testing .. BUT they are only for discussing with your doctor .. IF you feel full confidence in your Pulmonologist. You need to do your 'due diligence' in educating yourself so you will KNOW if you have a good doctors! Read carefully the pages of https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mycobacterium-avium-complex-pulmonary-disease-macmai/?pg=24#post-247668 then you will know if you currently have good doctors!
TESTING-baseline and periodic
1. Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
2. Azithromycin – hearing and balance: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN QUARTERLY
3. Rifampin - CBD (blood counts), liver and kidney function tests: GET BASELINE PRIOR TO STARTING .. THEN MONTHLY
OR TESTING:
BASELINE: VISION (Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.) AND HEARING
MONTHLY: BLOOD COUNTS, LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTION TESTS, SPUTUM CULTURES
QUARTERLY: HEARING and VISION
NOTE: Ethambutol – color vision and visual acuity – monthly ( Additional testing for eyes are use of the “eye chart” with letters read at 20 feet, and a red-green color book to distinguish changes in the ability to visualize colors.)
**** Lab tests:
CBC- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) LIVER
alk phosphatase- Alkaline Phosphatase - LIVER
serum creatinine-. Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance-SERUM CREATININE - KIDNEY
TESTING RECOMMENDED FOR VITAMIN LEVELS 1. Ask for your VD-3 level to be checked .. they can get too low. Speak to your Doctor first .. but I took: NATURE MADE brand 5,000 IU of Vitamin D-3 (NOT VD) *From our member @tdrell Terri, my Primary Dr at NJH doubled the VD I take to 4000 units a day... my lab test showed I was at 50 and she said she likes to see it at 100.
2. Ask for your B-12 level to be checked .. they can get too low
3. Personally I always purchase the brand Nature Made vitamins for it's quality .. ' Nature Made is the first brand to earn the USP Verified Mark on one of its products, an independent certification for quality and purity.'
FROM MEMBERS: COLOR BLINDNESS APP FOR SMARTPHONES .. apps of color blindness, CBT, visual test, and visual acuity .. just go to the App Store on your phone and search each one Are You Color Blind? by James Kwan
Judy, hope some of he above helps .. just various notes I have made. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! Hugs! Katherine