We only get requests from our Dermatologists, but they use the absolute level, and the levels over 12 months to decide whether to continue with Methotrexate or to do a liver biopsy.
We don't do more than a couple a month, but when I asked if we needed to do this, I was told that there are guidelines, which I can't find anywhere, so they had to be done otherwise a patient could sue if it was shown that we hadn't done the tests to show they weren't being poisoned by the treatment.
Only seems to be Dermatology patients, as Haematology ones on even higher doses have regular scavenger treatment which appears to protect the liver, and only get the drug episodically.
Gary Mascall
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Hindle [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 04 July 2003 14:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PROCOLLAGEN 3 PEPTIDE
Just had a request from a GP with a specialist dermatological interest to
measure this on a patient on methotrexate. Is this a worthwhile
investigation and should I expect lots more (unfunded)requests?
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