Pre-Lemtrada tests

I've been asked what tests had to be run prior to starting Lemtrada. Apart from MRI's there was a whole heap of blood and urine analysis. Here is a copy of the pathology form showing all the tests that needed to be done.

A word of warning people about to go through this... Not all path collection centres carry the Quantiferon Gold kit, which is needed for the TB test... They may need to order it in (it will take a few days to arrive) or you'll need to call around the bigger collection centre's asking if they have one. It took me 5 places till I found one that had it! Also, it takes about 3 working days for those results to come in, so leave yourself plenty of time to get tested! Oh... and make sure you eat and drink heaps before (required for the amount of urine you need to give them!).

The reason why you need all these tests is because 1) They need to understand your thyroid function before starting Lemtrada, as about 30% of people that go through Lem develop a thyroid disorder. 2) You will have zero immune system for sometime after Lem, so it's important that you already have antibodies, if you don't you need to be vaccinated and this will delay treatment by about 5 months and 3) You can't do Lem if you are HIV positive.