How Prednisone Can Affect Your MS Test Results?

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the below response to your query.

That's a great question! Prednisone, like other glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone and methylprednisolone, can indeed raise white blood cell (WBC) counts on lab tests.

This increase is primarily due to a rise in neutrophils, also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).

However, prednisone typically doesn't interfere directly with the specific tests used to diagnose multiple sclerosis, such as MRI scans, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, or evoked potentials.

That said, if prednisone is being used during active testing, it could potentially affect the inflammatory response in the body, which might subtly influence findings.

If you're concerned, be sure to inform your healthcare provider about your prednisone use so they can interpret your results accurately.

Thanks