IVIG affecting blood draws

I say congratulations on the weight watchers endeavor and show that lowered cholesterol report around. Have you ever had thyroid issues in the past? How out of the high range was it? IVIG does affect strange things!!! Kevie tested positive for h-pylori, I initially brought him to the doc for stomach issues, so she ran a h-pylori, only to find out via Kelly that ivig WOULD make you test positive for h-pylor. Something else funny, Kevin held his breath before the stick, and they attributed the breath holding as a reason for an elevation in one of the other tests, go figure. Does the doc feel the tsh is high enough to warrant thyroid meds? Good luck!
Dawn Kevies mom

I was on IVIG for 11 years, every 3 weeks, it did nothing for my cholesterol. I hope it did for you. I do know that I have read that “mis-readings” on the blood work on cholesterol are somewhat common. For several years my total has been 150-158 and two weeks ago it jumped to 201. I think it was a mistake. Hope yours is correct.

I have the high cholesterol and was just placed on meds for it! But it runs in my family. I started out in my 20’s with it and diet was the first thing but when it jumped up to 283 this last lab, they told me medications. So I take meds now for that also. About the other questions, I don’t know! Hope things get better for you and you get well soon!

‘detailed prescription information’ for any and all brands of IVIG. They lower some #’s and up others.
I have learned from here, elsewhere and thru research that the absolute best time to have blood draws is the day BEFORE your next infusion. Ostentibly it’s when your IG #’s are lowest and you will likely be as close to ‘normal’ as possible.
A few months ago I had a series of blood tests for other issues and that specialist wanted the blood work NOW! I kept going but, [I]but,[I][/I][/I] [B]BUT?[B][/B][/B] your #’s will be skewed! He did not believe me. Well, they were sooo skewed that he actually read up on IVIG! And admitted that he had to do the many tests over because it all had to be blamed on the IG! OK….I’ve got all my other docs, GP and specialists trained in this respect…no new needles until the day BEFORE infusions! Ever, unless a life emergency and then expect distortions. It has taken years to train them all tho.
Also, don’t forget what meds that you are taking! They too can distort blood#’s and multiple meds plus IVIG can throw things outta kilter far more easily than you think.. Look up the ‘prescribing information’ for each med…then the common, less common and rare s/e’s and see which can ‘add up’ in combination. These are things that are not on those medicine cross-check web-sites because they are subtle and complicated due to the CIDP. It’s a whole different set of factors to consider.
I hope this helps and that you can get better tests in the future! We all want better tests overall I think!

Emily always has her blood drawn right before getting her IVIG treatment. The nurse comes, accesses the port, takes the blood, then hooks the IVIG line up. I figure you can’t get more accurate than right before the IVIG goes in!

Your cholesterol levels are probably down to you eating healthier & exercising more.

I’m not sure if IVIG would affects your TSH levels though. We’ve never had that problem before.

Kelly

I hate needles and getting my blood drawn. Always have and everytime I have to have IV’s for something they always have problems with my veins. I am looking forward to getting treatment but dread the needle part. Hope you get well soon!