blood test - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

tbear228 · 11-17-2004, 01:10 PM

how often should they be done bp 150/90 taking avapro 150mg, verapamil sa 240 mg. swm 53 obese,no other med problems

Random2 · 11-18-2004, 08:07 AM

Good question. I asked my doctor that last week. I had a full blood test, CBC, Metabolic Fuction, Thryroid Check, EKG & Chest XRAY all within the last 6 months. Everything was fine. My doc. said that if you are taking B/P meds. that you should have a blood test every year. At 34, I think that is way too much. My G/F has no spleen & only needs to get tested every 2 years. It's all about the $'s.

mgraylorn · 11-18-2004, 08:26 AM

That kind of depends on what type of meds you are taking and your personal and family history. I am not familiar with the types you are on, but some meds like diuretics can deplete potassium, others may have a tendency to increase colesterol, or blood sugar levels, etc., so more frequent blood tests, especially when just starting a new med may be warrented. Unless your doctor is concerned about something in particular, probably 6 months at first, and if no problems probably every year or two.

I am not a doctor (of medicine), so this is just my guess.

Back before I developed high blood pressure, when I was healthy, my doctor did blood work on me annually. I am 48 now. If I was in my twenties, annually would probably be too much.

jtu91952 · 11-18-2004, 09:12 AM

I have my blood work done every 3 to 6 mos. When taking meds drs sometimes like to keep tabs of how the med is working and if any damage is being done. Also to make sure no build up or toxic elements are present.

I really have no problems having to go to the dr to have these checked.

Random2 · 11-18-2004, 11:17 AM

I asked mine why he wanted to test again after a year & he said, all B/P patients get tested once a year. I said to check glucose levels, cholesterol, liver funtion... these are some of the things that B/P meds. elevate at times. He said no, kidney function. Well my creatinine was 1.0 (normal is 0.5-1.4) & my Bun (urea nitrogen) was 13 (normal is 7-25). The Bun/Creatinine ratio was 13 (normal is 6-25). *** would this jack** mention kidney function when these tests were taken 6 months ago & they were all perfect. I have a copy. I'm 34 & starting to thing that GP's are all about money. Have no idea about white-coat or blood pressure & about more appointments that are unnecessary. He wants me to come back in 4 months to check my blood pressure. I can do that on my own. I can also get blood tests on my own & look at normal ranges now that I have them. If there is a problem like white-coat or weaning off of B/P meds. I will see a specialist. If I get into this appointment every 4 months regimen, I'm out of there. I've had 8 million tests run & every appointment I find out less than the last one. I have had 3 different doctors, I fired one, one left & now I am stuck with a guy who won't even read a chart before seeing me. I have been to one specialist. I am only 34. My G/F is only 23 with no spleen & she only needs blood tests every 2 years. We have HBP & need blood tests every year, but people without a spleen only need them once every 2 years. It makes perfect sense.