Bloods

[Elmo333]

I see lots of people with huge numbers for RF and antiCCP, it's making me wonder. My results were RF 75 and CCP 40. Do these sound positive enough for such a certain diagnosis do you think?

The other issue is that my CRP (around 30) and ESR around 60) have been constantly raised for 8 years even before pain. I have read that these markers can be raised just due to being overweight which I am so should these be relied upon for monitoring? Have you been told by anyone about CRP and ESR being weight related? No drs ever said it to me but I wonder.

Thank you x

[cheshcat]

My understanding is that the numbers are lab dependent and you need to go by what they consider positive. I believe the CCP is very closely related to RA disease and should only be positive with RA.

Do you have a rheumatologist yet?

[helixhelix]

There is a huge variation in RF and anti-CCP between people, but I wouldn't feel concerned about it. A diagnosis should be made on a number of things - blood tests, physical symptoms, family & medical history, and how you say you feel. Just a blood test alone is rarely enough. Presumably you also have other symptoms?

And as for ESR & CRP again can be naturally higher in some people - age, weight and family traits play a part. But it's just a clue to add to the other clues to help the doctor come to a decision. Mine are naturally extremely low. At the worst my ESR was 21, which is a laughable number to some people but every joint was swollen and I could barely get out of bed! These days it's normally 2 and if I flare it goes up to 7 or 8.....luckily my doctors don't just look at the numbers.

[Poshcards]

How come everybody knows their blood results. I have never been privvy to mine in all the 20 plus years of having SLE!! X

[Jacey15 in reply to Poshcards]

I can see all my results through the GP computer system. It could be worth asking your surgery for the same.

[Poshcards]

Not been with them long and haven’t got much faith! But thanks for answering x