Blood test for patients on acne medication deemed unnecessary

(Brigham and Women's Hospital) A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital has found that for young, healthy women taking spironolactone to treat hormonal acne, frequent office visits and blood draws are an unnecessary health care expense. For the approximately 1,000 patients studied, blood tests to monitor potassium levels did not change the course of treatment, but the tests cumulatively totaled up to $80,000.