Does my 12-year-old with arthritis need so many tests? (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Does my 12-year-old with arthritis need so many tests?

5:14pm Thursday 5th February 2009 in Health By Doctor Tom Smith

Q. My 12-year old daughter has developed arthritis in her knees and ankles, and has been put on methotrexate. It seems to be helping her a lot, but she has blood tests every week while on it. Must she really have so many tests? She hates the needles, and it’s always a struggle to get her to go to the doctor.

A. I’m afraid she must. One of the side effects of methotrexate is a lowering of the white blood cell count, and that can cause her to be very susceptible to infections. The weekly test will catch any drop in the white cell count early enough to reverse it in time to keep her healthy. Her doctor may give you some anaesthetic cream to rub on the needle site before the sample is taken, to make it easier for her.