Blood tests and methotrexate

[ladyalex]

Hi, need some help.
Elderly relative (aged 91) has rheumatoid arthritis.
Has been discharged from the rheumatologists back to GP for about 1 year now.
Up till now had had monthly blood tests, for what I do not know, but they were started when she started methotrexate.
Had great difficulty in getting the District Nurses to come monthly to get the blood as they were sure it should be six-weekly. After intervention from the Rheumatology Nurse Specialist, they came monthly and have been for some years now.
GP called to see her , (her general health is good, though she is very frail and he had only called because we couldn't get another repeat prescription without her being seen by the doc) took a blood test which he said was 'different'.
Had a call from the surgery to say that this ('different') blood test would be every 3 months now.
Phoned the District Nurses to try to get more information and they said that she would only be having blood tests every 3 months from now on.
Sounds fishy to me, but could this be right ?
Her medication is thyroxine, methotrexate, omeprazole, folic acid , adcal D, ferrous sulphate and paracetamol.
Anybody any ideas ?

[Sqad]

If we knew what the blood tests were for initially and what the "new " blood test was, then we could be of some help.

Find out.....ask the doctor.

[Canary42]

Sounds suspiciously like cost-cutting to me. Investigate further.

[ladyalex]

I'll write to the GP and ask.

I'd like to know what the blood tests were for too. All they will ever tell me is that they are OK.

I had not thought of cost-cutting, I had only got as far as communications breakdown.
Hopefully the GP will let me know.

Thanks, sqad and canary42.

[Giggsie]

I too have rheumatoid arthritis and take methotrexate this i need the blood tests for every month tried to get it at 3 months but told no has to be monthly. I also take sulphasalazine, folic acid, and hydroxychloroquine. Was told blood test for liver checks.

[bednobs]

aat the hospital where my bloods are analysed for RA they call you if you don't keep to the schedule! (monthly for mtx)
is there a rheumatology specialist nurse at the hospital you could ring for quicker advice?

[ladyalex]

Thank you , futricat and bednobs.

I've dropped a note to the GP saying that I understood that it was imperative that she had monthly blood tests and could he clarify things.
I'm sure he'll get back to me, he's usually pretty good.
I'm still thinking that wires have been crossed somewhere, as I said it took an intervention by the Rheumatology nurse before they came monthly not six weekly.
I'll keep you posted as to any response.
Thanks again, all.