High CRP and ESR for first time ever in bloods since 2015.

[Queencara78]

Hi all, I had been feeling unwell for 6 days and knew I needed antibiotics but put off seeing my GP until after I had my planned appointment for extensive blood tests including ANA and ENA because I didnt want the meds affecting the tests.

The bloods were done on Wednesday morning and on Thursday I was called to my surgery to see a Dr because there was very high levels of infection and/or inflammation in my blood. Took a swab of my throat as have a few pus spots, but Dr said she didnt think it was enough to explain the level of infection so sent swab for culture study and started me on 2000mg of penicillin per day for 10 days. Can anyone help with advice if they have experienced this before please, and could these levels both be attributed solely to infection or as I am being monitored for suspected CTD could it be both things causing these high levels?

[cyberbarn]

This could be consistent with with an infection and have nothing or little to do with a CTD. High levels are usually associated with infection rather than inflammation, and as you have been feeling unwell it does sound like you have an infection. A lot of people right now start with flu which is a virus but a week later bacteria have been opportunistic and shifted the goalposts resulting in a bacterial infection. So best to get that over with first then see how you are feeling. The infection could be masking other conditions, or all the results could be caused by the infection itself.

And it is worth remembering that those blood tests are not diagnostic, they are just pointing out that something is going on that needs to be looked into.