What do these mean...........

[sylvi]

I waht to know properly what these all mean.

Alt crp and esr. I have been looking round to find out what exactly they mean, but either i'm not looking in the right places or i am asking the wrong question. Please help. thanks.xx

[Hidden]

Hi Sylvi

I copied this from a couple of web sites, rather than put it in my own words, in case I mislead you. Hopefully this will help.

An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in the blood. ALT is found mainly in the liver, but also in smaller amounts in the kidneys , heart , muscles, and pancreas . ALT was formerly called serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).

ALT is measured to see if the liver is damaged or diseased. Low levels of ALT are normally found in the blood. But when the liver is damaged or diseased, it releases ALT into the bloodstream, which makes ALT levels go up. Most increases in ALT levels are caused by liver damage.

The ALT test is often done along with other tests that check for liver damage, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin. Both ALT and AST levels are reliable tests for liver damage.

Home > Diseases & Conditions > Blood Test - Detecting Inflammation

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and plasma viscosity are blood tests that detect inflammation. These are useful tests to help diagnose and monitor the activity of certain diseases.

Inflammation and blood proteins

If you have inflammation in a part of your body then extra protein is often released from the site of inflammation and circulates in the bloodstream. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma viscosity (PV) blood tests are commonly used to detect this increase in protein, and so are markers of inflammation.

[Hidden]

Hi Sylvi,

Fetched my old MTX book and this is what they say:

ALT/AST - usually less than 50 u/l - are tests to see how your liver is working. Rising blood ALT/AST levels may indicate liver inflammation

CRP, ESR & PV - indicators of inflammation which may be raised from active disease or infection.

I hope this helps your understanding I never go much on the CRP/ESR levels as mine have never been that high, yet to see my body they should read a lot higher as the puffiness/swelling has been really bad. Both my consultant and nurse look more at my body than the indicators.

Take care. xxx

[watson3]

I like both of your explanations.

Easy to read and understand

Carole

[earthwitch]

CRP and ESR can be useful measures of inflammation, but in many folk they are normal even when inflammation is through the roof.

ALT is just one measure of liver function - its particularly important to regularly check liver function when on any of the DMARDs and many other drugs. Your doctor will be looking at a whole lot of different measures of liver function (all in the one blood test) though, and its often about the balance between them, rather than just whether one number is a bit out of the normal range. A lot of folk have mildly abnormal liver function tests though, so unless your doctor is concerned, you shouldn't be.

[mistymeana]

Hi All,

Can I just add a little note not to panic and think somethings seriously wrong with your RA or meds if you're asked to repeat your initial blood test. The test results show about 20 different measurements which can be affected by many things other than your RA or medication and a second test is often done to see if the first results were just a blip or something that needs investigating. If your doctor is concerned they'll ask to see you - even then, if they want you to make a routine appointment, they're not in an immediate worry.

[minka]

what i would like to know waht is the norm for these test so much conflicting stuff on the internet

[sylvi in reply to minka]

I quite agree with you on that one.xx