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Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
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Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
We stand behind our service
Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
With friendly doctor's notes & guidance
Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
This test is ideal if you've received an organ transplant and are taking Tacrolimus (Prograf) to prevent rejection. It helps ensure your medication dose is working effectively without causing harmful side effects like kidney damage or infection risk. Regular monitoring keeps your medication levels in the safe and effective range, protecting both your transplanted organ and your overall health.
You should have your blood drawn 1 hour before taking your next Tacrolimus dose, which is known as a trough level. This timing is important because it measures the lowest concentration in your blood before the next dose, giving your doctor the most accurate information for dose adjustments. Continue taking your medication as prescribed unless your transplant team instructs otherwise.
This test measures the precise concentration of Tacrolimus in your blood using a highly sensitive LC/MS/MS method, which is the gold standard for immunosuppressant drug monitoring. It reveals how well your body is absorbing and processing the medication, helping your transplant team adjust your dose to prevent organ rejection while minimizing side effects like kidney problems, high blood pressure, or increased infection risk. Maintaining the right Tacrolimus level is critical for long-term transplant success and your quality of life.
What this means
Your Tacrolimus level is below the therapeutic range, which may put you at increased risk for organ rejection. This could mean your body is metabolizing the medication faster than expected or there may be absorption issues. It's important to contact your transplant team promptly to discuss adjusting your dose.
Recommended actions
Contact your transplant coordinator immediately to discuss dose adjustment
Take your medication at the same time each day with or without food consistently
Avoid grapefruit juice and St. John's Wort as they interfere with Tacrolimus absorption
Retest in 1-2 weeks after any dose change to ensure levels reach therapeutic range