1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Predisone for PMR and Abnormal blood tests

Posted by kspowell @kspowell, Sep 1, 2021

After 2 months of Prednisone for PMR my blood work was done and many the results are abnormal. I am hoping this is just a result of the Prednisone. Iron levels and neutrophils, lymphs, and monocytes are all very high...which I did not expect. Is there any information on how Prednisone can affect these blood tests?

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scpartain | @scpartain | Sep 2, 2021

My bloodwork was extremely abnormal during a flare of PMR for which I was treated with prednisone. During the treatment course, the abnormalities decreased as the PMR receded. On the final bloodwork test, all blood values were in the normal range and I was then able to discontinue the prednisone treatment. I now consider my PMR in remission and am hoping it stays that way. It was my second bout after a thirteen-year period of remission. I am seventy-five year old woman and weigh around 100 pounds. I hope you are feeling better soon.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 4, 2021

Good point @scpartain. Is it the condition or the treatment causes changes in blood counts? @kspowell, you may also be interested in this related discussion:

Steroids/PMR and Low Absolute Lymphocytes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/steroidspmr-and-low-absolute-lymphocytes/

@gregg911 @kathylovgren and @virginiaj talk about experiencing low white blood cell counts.

Kspowell, were your blood counts normal before starting prednisone?

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2 replies
kspowell | @kspowell | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "Good point @scpartain. Is it the condition or the treatment causes changes in blood counts? @kspowell,..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Good point @scpartain. Is it the condition or the treatment causes changes in blood counts? @kspowell, you may also be interested in this related discussion:

Steroids/PMR and Low Absolute Lymphocytes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/steroidspmr-and-low-absolute-lymphocytes/

@gregg911 @kathylovgren and @virginiaj talk about experiencing low white blood cell counts.

Kspowell, were your blood counts normal before starting prednisone?

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yes all blood counts were normal...now my white are high, as is iron and ferritin, oh and A1C jumped, but I know that's the prednisone. The condition caused CRP to jump to 89, and after pred 2... I;ll wait and see after I reduce prednisone more what happens.... Thx for the links!

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scpartain | @scpartain | Sep 4, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "Good point @scpartain. Is it the condition or the treatment causes changes in blood counts? @kspowell,..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Good point @scpartain. Is it the condition or the treatment causes changes in blood counts? @kspowell, you may also be interested in this related discussion:

Steroids/PMR and Low Absolute Lymphocytes https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/steroidspmr-and-low-absolute-lymphocytes/

@gregg911 @kathylovgren and @virginiaj talk about experiencing low white blood cell counts.

Kspowell, were your blood counts normal before starting prednisone?

Jump to this post

In my case, the blood counts were abnormal before I started the prednisone treatment. As soon as I began taking prednisone, my bloodwork improved. The rheumatologist gave me a schedule for tapering the prednisone, and gradually the pain lessened and my blood values moved into the normal range. After a three-month period of this prescribed routine, I was able to discontinue the prednisone and, so far, I have not had any recurrence in PMR.

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