How Long Do You Need To Be Off Steroid Meds To Get Accurate Blood Test?

[SiandAshs Mom]

My 5 year old has a requisition in for the attg iga blood test (the only test available here in Alberta, Canada). He has been on nasonex (mometasone) steroid nasal spray daily for quite a while now. How long should it be off it before we take him in for blood work? Thanks so much

[Questore]

My 5 year old has a requisition in for the attg iga blood test (the only test available here in Alberta, Canada). He has been on nasonex (mometasone) steroid nasal spray daily for quite a while now. How long should it be off it before we take him in for blood work? Thanks so much

 

I take something similar, and really feel my allergies galloping back in just a week, yet it takes a good six weeks to really take hold...you will need to call your pediatrician to find out how long your son's medication takes to get out of the body...it may have a higher half life than mine does.

 

Just be ready for a heavy eyed snuffly and miserable boy in the interim. 

 

My heart goes out to him, and you.

 

Good luck on the testing.

[SiandAshs Mom]

I take something similar, and really feel my allergies galloping back in just a week, yet it takes a good six weeks to really take hold...you will need to call your pediatrician to find out how long your son's medication takes to get out of the body...it may have a higher half life than mine does.

 

Just be ready for a heavy eyed snuffly and miserable boy in the interim. 

 

My heart goes out to him, and you.

 

Good luck on the testing.

Thanks so much for responding. I'm sorry you struggle when off your meds too. Not fun at all! My son has already been off of the nasonex for 3 weeks and he's a congested tired mess! It's amazing how much better he sleeps when he takes it... I really don't like him being on meds but his quality of life is just so greatly improved.

Looking up online it says that the plasma elimination half-life of nasonex is 5.8 hours... I'm guessing that doesn't mean it's fully out of his system though. I'll ask the doctor. 

Thanks again for your advice. All the best to you

[StephanieL]

I wasn't aware that you had to be off steroids for blood testing. Did you ask the Dr.?

[SiandAshs Mom]

I wasn't aware that you had to be off steroids for blood testing. Did you ask the Dr.?

No, I can almost guarantee that my doctor would have no idea that steroids can cause inaccurate results. I only knew because of these forums. The lead celiac researchers do acknowledge that steroids are a no-no though. Still, I can't seem to find any info on how long one must abstain from steroids... 

 

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[LauraTX]

It is likely the steroids that would affect the test are going to be ones you take orally, such as prednisone or other oral corticosteroids.  Inhaled/sprayed corticosteroids like nasal sprays and breathing medicines are not going to have nearly as much effect on the body systemically.  Those can be used continually without the classic long term side effects of the orally taken drugs which are much higher dosage. I would not worry about discontinuing use of a nasal spray.

 

If someone has a condition where they have been on oral steroids such as prednisone, for a long time, then they would need to look into the possibility of a false negative on the blood tests.  Even in that case, because oral corticosteroids are not something you can abruptly discontinue, it is likely the test would still be done.  Then if it is borderline negative/negative, the possibility of a false negative can be looked in to.

[kareng]

I'm with Laura. I think they mean the kind you take orally for a long time.

[StephanieL]

I'm with Laura. I think they mean the kind you take orally for a long time.

This is what I was thinking too.  

 

Inhaled steroids are at a MUCH lower concentration for sure. Our Dr. said a 5 day course of oral steroids was about equal to a YEAR on inhaled. They are more targeted and though they would enter the blood stream it wouldn't be in very large doses at all.  

 

I would call your Dr. for clarification. If they don't know then perhaps they can consult with someone who would know.

[SiandAshs Mom]

It is likely the steroids that would affect the test are going to be ones you take orally, such as prednisone or other oral corticosteroids.  Inhaled/sprayed corticosteroids like nasal sprays and breathing medicines are not going to have nearly as much effect on the body systemically.  Those can be used continually without the classic long term side effects of the orally taken drugs which are much higher dosage. I would not worry about discontinuing use of a nasal spray.

 

If someone has a condition where they have been on oral steroids such as prednisone, for a long time, then they would need to look into the possibility of a false negative on the blood tests.  Even in that case, because oral corticosteroids are not something you can abruptly discontinue, it is likely the test would still be done.  Then if it is borderline negative/negative, the possibility of a false negative can be looked in to.

 

 

I'm with Laura. I think they mean the kind you take orally for a long time.

 

 

This is what I was thinking too.  

 

Inhaled steroids are at a MUCH lower concentration for sure. Our Dr. said a 5 day course of oral steroids was about equal to a YEAR on inhaled. They are more targeted and though they would enter the blood stream it wouldn't be in very large doses at all.  

 

I would call your Dr. for clarification. If they don't know then perhaps they can consult with someone who would know.

Thanks folks! He's already been off the nasonex for 3 weeks anyway so we went and had his blood drawn today. I think it makes sense that they would be referring to oral steroids that had been taken for a long time. I appreciate all your knowledge and insight!