Hi,
How often do you have CRP tested when you get your regular bloods done? Up until January mine was done with every MTX monitoring blood test (3 monthly) but since then I’ve been told, several times as I keep questioning it, that CRP is no longer done as a monitoring test. I’m curious to see if others are getting the same info...... I’m waiting for my rheumy to get back to me to see if my GP practice, who do my bloods, have got this wrong or if it’s me!
All the best
Ali
Hi Ali. The only time my CRP has been done (in the last year) is when I have had a ftf with either my rheumy doctor or nurse at the hospital, so that's about four times max. I have most of my blood tests at my GP surgery and they are just the usual ones.
CRP tests 🤔depends on who issues the form . It’s hit and miss I will have a blood test on a Friday an appointment on a Tuesday and they will say oh you didn’t have a crp test please have another test or other times I will have it if I ask they will say CRP means nothing especially as I’m s- negative. No consistency 🙄
I didn't see your reply before posting mine but yup... that's pretty much my experience too 
As far as I can work out, CRP (and ESR) aren't routinely included as part of MTX blood testing which is essentially checking for *adverse* effects, whereas CRP/ESR give an indication of the current level of inflammation, and therefore not so critical in terms of a threat to your health (albeit, I agree, still useful to know in terms whether the MTX is actually working).
I've noticed that when my rheumy requests the tests himself, he always mentions MTX testing PLUS ESR/CRP but when the GP orders the testing, they're not always included. When I last spoke to my GP a few weeks ago, I asked if it might be possible to include the ESR/CRP for blood tests in future and they seemed quite happy to do so... at least, they were certainly on the list when I went for my latest test last week.
In summary... at least from my experience, CRP is not a standard test when monitoring for the adverse effects of MTX, but if specifically requested (and you're lucky!), your GP may well be willing to include it as mine was.
Hope this is some help and good luck.
It varies. For many years I just had ESR as this is cheaper. But I usually have one of them.
When i worked in the hospital lab we would get blood requests in with no tests requested, if clinical details were "on methatrexate' a standard panels would be liver function amd u&e.
And full blood count.
Thanks for your replies... I’ve always had CRP done (sept 2014 MTX started and my only med - I’m seronegative RA) until this January... if I get a answer/explanation from my rheumy I’ll let you know.
Thanks again
Ali
The tests are looking for different things. If it's monitoring your disease activity (and you usually have a raised CRP when it's active) then CRP should be included.
If it's just monitoring for adverse effects of the medication then not.
That's my experience too. Recently had two FBC blood tests as my RA was active and both CRP and ESR were included. One question while I'm at it old timer, can they tell what someone's cholesterol is by testing lipids?
yes, they would do cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides and part of a lipid profile. Well that's the usual practice 😁
Thanks. 
All my blood tests were stopped at start of Covid but up till then I was tested monthly for MTX effects, CRP and ESR . They were added by gp to test for inflammation ( even tho I’m seronegative) However since February it’s suddenly not necessary to test for anything for 6 months at a time 🤷🏻♀️
That's terrible. I'm continued to have bloods 3 monthly at my gp surgery during the pandemic.
Every 12 weeks and I've been on mtx over 20 years. X
Every time, always have done 😊
I'm a bit late to this Ali but I have mine done every drug monitoring bloods (MTX). Not sure why you've been told otherwise given it's the acute, or current, inflammation test. I'd understand more if it was ESR of the two inflammation markers but maybe it's a cost thing? Both have been included in my bloods since diagnosis 12 years ago.
My CRP is done wi h every test, you have to question why they're not doing it now? Insist on some answers, it's your body.
Sporadically! Despite Rheumatologist saying I should have CRP & ESR monthly (GP try to reduce to 3 monthly but have been neutropenic in past) often it gets missed off and HCA or nurse have to be reminded.
Update!
Rheumy dept called today to say that they had emailed Drs that CRP needs doing with my regular bloods (3 monthly). So rang Drs to say I wanted to book the test... claimed no email so I explained that someone had taken CRP off my bloods list without my GP or consultant say so and that I wanted to know why this had happened (I know it was not my GP as nurses doing bloods said same thing that ‘guidance from ‘- name I’d forgotten but wasn’t a Dr someone so they were changing my treatment and monitoring without ‘authority’ as far as I was aware. 2 calls later and CRP bloods booked and CRP reinstated on my regular bloods list. result 😎
Yay! Good for you
ESR & CRP
High CRP
CRP high
Normal CRP but feels like a flare?!
Low CRP
