LymeNet Flash: Med levels in blood

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Med levels in blood

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Author

Topic: Med levels in blood

tjtighe
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4057

posted

I have read about the importance of checking the Rx levels in the blood and am wondering if this is being done by any docs. Mine is not doing this.

Posts: 296 | From Portland, OR | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175

posted

I've never had this done, or even mentioned to m by my LLMDs

Did you read a specific article? Could you cite it or post a link?

Posts: 2331 | From WA | Registered: Jan 2004 | IP: Logged |

Corgilla
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4066

posted

Hi,

I have read this too. Don't know how they check it. I think it's in Dr. B's guidelines. Maybe it was mentioned in one of his talks?

My LLMD worked with Dr. B but doesn't test for this.

Corgilla

Posts: 694 | From PA | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

lymesux
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6248

posted

My doc checks my seizure med levels - but I'm not sure if that is what you mean.

Posts: 799 | From home | Registered: Sep 2004 | IP: Logged |

chainsaw joe
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5490

posted

I once asked my first LLMD if we could check the amount of antibiotics were in my blood to see if the levels were high enough to penetrate the brain,she said it cost to much money.

Posts: 225 | From mass. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

nan
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 63

posted

The only time my llmd asked for blood levels was when I was on amoxycillin.
I had blood drawn early in the morning and them took my meds and returned in another hour for another blood draw. He could tell what the blood levels were and could adjust the dosage if needed. My levels were fine.

However, I have been on so many different abx...and he has never had blood levels done for those. Don't know why.

Posts: 2135 | From Tick Country | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged |

guiney
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4550

posted

Hi, I'm on IV Doxy and every friday the nurse comes and changes my dressing and to take blood. Every friday!

I think it's just to check out my liver...

Posts: 504 | From US | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged |

tjtighe
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4057

posted

Hi Minoucat,

Direct quotes from Dr. B's quidelines. Under "LYME DISEASE TREATMENT INFORMATION":
Since blood levels are extremely variable they should be measured.

Under "ANTIBIOTIC CHOICES" in bold print:
Always check blood levels when using agents marked with a *, and adjust dose to achieve a peak level in the mid teens and a trough greater than five. Then: Because of this, the doses listed below may have to be raised.

Posts: 296 | From Portland, OR | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

hwlatin
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4123

posted

Actually it is very important to check the blood levels especially after starting a new drug or dossage amount.

For me, because of my problems in gastro/intestinal system, my blood was showing twice the amount of doxy in my system than was expected by the dose I was taking.

I also had an issue with Zithro, had to go from pills to suspension because of the way this medicine was being absorbed. This actually made a big difference me.

Posts: 533 | From Las Vegas, NV | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

lla2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2364

posted

basically the only abx the labs have the capability to check the blood levels on is amoxilicillian....

they can check seizure meds, heart meds, coumeden levels etc..but never found the necessecity to have to check levels for abx...

they can however do a screen to see which abx you are resistant to..did you know that? that way they can see which abx,, or types of abx won't work effectively in your body..they do this in cases of serious illnessess like bacterial menigitis etc...

hope this helps, guess i havn't forgotten all my nursing stuff!

Lisa

Posts: 4713 | From saunderstown, ri Usa | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged |

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