When living with lupus, finding relief from the trio of swelling, inflammation, and pain is crucial. If you have lupus, you’ve probably used prednisone to help treat your symptoms. Prednisone and other steroids are known to cause a range of side effects, and members of MyLupusTeam have asked about how prednisone might affect blood test results.

“My primary care provider prescribed me prednisone for a respiratory infection,” one member shared. “I have an appointment with the rheumatologist next week for blood work to follow up on a biopsy for my lupus. What effect will the prednisone have on my blood work?”

In this article, we’ll explore some of the key things that you should know about getting blood work done while taking prednisone if you have lupus, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus. All of your health care providers must know when you’re taking a corticosteroid, as they can cause side effects, interact with other medications, and affect blood test results.

1. Prednisone Is Used To Treat Several Symptoms of Lupus

Prednisone is often prescribed to help manage the symptoms of inflammation caused by lupus. Prednisone can also help treat other diseases or complications that occur because of lupus. One way prednisone prevents inflammation is by interfering with how your body makes cortisol, a hormone associated with stress that can lead to inflammation.

Prednisone is commonly used to treat various symptoms of lupus, including:

• Inflammation and pain
• Skin rashes
• Breathing difficulties
• Other complications

Inflammation and Pain

Inflammation caused by lupus can cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Prednisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug that can help decrease inflammation in your body and lessen these symptoms.

Skin Rashes

Many people with lupus experience rashes on their skin, which can be itchy, painful, and unsightly. Discoid lupus, a type of lupus that affects the skin, causes sores on the scalp and face. Prednisone can help to make these symptoms less severe.

Breathing Difficulties

Lupus can cause inflammation in the lungs, which can make breathing more difficult. Prednisone can help to reduce this inflammation and improve lung function by calming down the immune system’s overreaction, allowing for better lung function and easier breathing.

Other Complications

Lupus can sometimes lead to complications such as kidney damage, blood clots, and infections. Prednisone may be used to help manage these complications and prevent them from getting worse.

2. Prednisone Can Cause Various Side Effects

While prednisone may be effective in helping manage lupus symptoms, it can also cause side effects, ranging from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects of prednisone include:

• Weight gain — Prednisone can cause you to hold onto water weight (fluid retention) and increase your appetite, leading to weight gain in some people.
• Hair and skin changes — Long-term use of prednisone can cause acne, bruising, and facial hair.
• Insomnia — Some people may have difficulty sleeping while taking prednisone.
• Mood changes — Prednisone can cause mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety.
• Increased risk of infections — Prednisone can suppress the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.
• High blood pressure and blood sugar — Prednisone can cause an increase in blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which is especially concerning for those with diabetes.
• Changes in electrolyte levels — Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium that your body uses to survive. Prednisone can decrease the levels of potassium and calcium and increase the levels of sodium in your body. Lower calcium levels in your body can lead to osteoporosis (bone loss).

It’s important to be aware of these potential side effects and to talk to your doctor if you experience any concerning symptoms while taking prednisone. In some cases, the benefits of taking prednisone may outweigh the risks, but it’s important to work closely with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.

3. Blood Tests Are Often Used To Diagnose Lupus

To diagnose lupus, doctors review a person’s medical history and the results of several types of exams and tests — often including different blood tests.

Complete Blood Count

A complete blood count (CBC) measures the numbers and types of cells in your blood. Lupus can decrease the number of platelets (cells important for blood clotting), red blood cells, and white blood cells (immune cells) in your blood.

Antibody Tests

Your body normally uses antibodies to fight off bacteria and viruses but in lupus, your body makes antibodies that fight itself. Antibody tests look for these antibodies. One of the most common antibody tests used is the antinuclear antibodies test.

Blood Clotting Test

Lupus can change how fast your blood clots which, in extreme cases, can cause strokes. The blood clotting test measures how quickly your blood forms a clot.

Serum Complement Tests

Complement is a protein in your blood that is used up when your body produces inflammation. For this reason, low levels of complement in your blood could indicate that there is a lot of inflammation in your body, potentially caused by lupus.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) examines how fast your red blood cells settle in a tube. If your body has high levels of inflammation, these cells may stick together and settle faster.

4. Prednisone Can Change the Results of Blood Tests Used To Diagnose Lupus

Because prednisone is used to treat inflammation caused by lupus, taking prednisone will likely change the results of several of the tests used to diagnose lupus.

These tests may include:

• CBC — Both prednisone and lupus can change the number of red blood cells and immune cells in your body and cause an abnormal CBC test result.
• Antibody levels — Prednisone lowers the production of antibodies overall, including the autoantibodies that your body makes when you have lupus.
• ESR — With lower inflammation because of prednisone, your ESR may return to normal.

5. You Will Undergo Several Blood Tests Before Starting Prednisone

Before you start taking a steroid like prednisone, your doctor will often order several blood tests to see your results before treatment. This is called your baseline and can help your doctor know which side effects they need to watch for when you are taking prednisone.

Prednisone can affect the results of several tests used to diagnose lupus, such as:

• Fasting lipid profile
• Blood sugar tests
• Electrolyte levels
• Cortisol levels

Fasting Lipid Profile

This test is used to determine the baseline level of fats in your blood. Prednisone can raise the levels of fats such as cholesterol in your blood. “Fasting” means that the test must be taken before eating or drinking anything besides water.

Blood Sugar Tests

Taking prednisone long term can lead to high blood sugar and potentially diabetes. Increased blood sugar levels would show up on blood sugar tests.

Electrolyte Levels

When taking prednisone, remember that it can affect the levels of certain minerals in your blood, such as potassium, sodium, and calcium. These changes can be detected through blood tests, allowing health care professionals to monitor and manage any imbalances to ensure your overall well-being.

Cortisol Levels

After you stop taking prednisone, especially in high doses, your body might have a hard time making cortisol again. This is known as adrenal suppression and can cause you to feel tired all the time. To test for this condition, your doctor might measure your cortisol levels to see if they have returned to normal.

6. Always Tell Your Doctors When You’re Taking Prednisone

Because prednisone can cause changes in laboratory tests and blood test results, you should make sure your doctors are aware when you’re taking it. You may want to carry a steroid treatment card or wear a medical alert bracelet in case you’re unable to talk to your doctor.

It’s also important to have a health care provider who listens to your concerns and works with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. By being informed and proactive about your health, you can help ensure that you receive the best possible care and treatment for your lupus.

Remember, you’re not alone in your experience, and there are resources available to help you navigate the challenges of living with lupus.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyLupusTeam is the social network for people with lupus and their loved ones. On MyLupusTeam, more than 222,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with lupus.

Did your doctor prescribe prednisone to help treat your symptoms of lupus? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.