PrEP Prescreening Tests

The screening tests that I like to organise before starting PrEP include: I like to check kidney function. We need to know that the kidneys are working well and that they have an estimated glomerular filtration rate of more than 60. This is also a good opportunity to review a full sexual health screening. This includes a throat swab for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, a rectal swab for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, a urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, and a blood test to check for HIV, syphilis, and it’s a great chance to check hepatitis A, B, and C status. In addition, as mentioned before, it’s important to check the renal status, perhaps a full blood count, have a look at phosphate, and if somebody is at potential risk of osteoporosis it might be worthwhile considering vitamin D status as well. If you have a patient with established osteoporosis or who is at high risk of osteoporosis, it may be worth considering getting a baseline bone density scan before starting PrEP.