Hi could i ask something my alp is 185 and stared and esr is 48 should i be phoning someone

[Neverwell]

[earthwitch]

Easiest answer to your question is to suggest making an appointment with your GP to discuss. If there is a star by a blood test result, it means that it is outside the "normal" range, however that doesn't always mean a lot. For a start, you need to compare it to what your normal is, or what it was before. The GP should have old results so they can see if that high reading is better or worse than it usually is for you. Also, just having one reading out of whack doesn't always mean anything, and the doctor will usually look at other readings and see if there is a pattern of abnormality (if any of the others are very close to the top limit, etc).

The ESR is a measure of inflammation, but it isn't just RA inflammation - there are many other reasons why ESR can be high either temporarily or regularly. Again, its more important to know whether it is going up or down from the last results, and whether a high result always happens when you are flaring (in which case they can use it as a good kind of marker for you) or if it can be high in you without evidence of a flare of RA (which means that it can be ignored).

It is always incredibly difficult to try and interpret this stuff yourself, because we aren't doctors. It is also to easy to get worried about something that shouldn't cause worry. If it was something bad, rest assured that you would have been contacted by the doctor who ordered the test to follow it up.

So, make an appintment with your GP to see how they view it and explain it to you, and don't worry in the meantime.

[Neverwell]

Thank you earthwitch i just got book back from hosp as they r doing two weekly bloods this is the second week its gone up last time it was 146 and this one is 185 , and the orther one has jumped from 23 to 48 i was a bit worried thanks again x

[Hidden in reply to Neverwell]

Neverwell, does your GP take the bloods? Because if they do they will also have the responsibiltiy for checking them as far as I know. Why don't you phone up to find out what the procedure is for future reference. Usually by the time the results get to you they will have been checked by a GP and someone from the practice should phone you up if they are concerned.

I am not sure what you mean by ALP (is it ALT which is about liver function?) but your ESR is not through the roof though I would want to have a chat with the doctor if mine started jumping like that. You should be able to ask them about all these things because you'll feel more confident the more you know.

[Neverwell]

Thank you woolly i think i will phone rummy tomorrow

Love karen

[earthwitch]

If its gone up like that, then someone definitely needs to look at it - it depends whether it is your GP meant to be monitoring or the rheumatologist. As woolly has said, if GP is doing the bloods, then phone them for an appointment to discuss. If its rheumatologist, then you would contact them.

[nottsexsportfanatic]

I have my monthly bloods taken at gp surgery but because hospital give me the request form my gp isn't given the results. I'm was moved to shared care so gp prescribed mtx one month then went back to hospital and they were furious with gp for prescribing it when my alt had gone up suddenly. My conclusion therefore is don't assume anyone is monitoring ur results incase they all think someone else is. I would ring rheumy help line if u have one and Ask their advice to b on safe side.

[Hidden]

My GP is responsible for monitoring my results and always phones if my liver alt is up. And yours is quite high so that would be something either your GP or rheumy nurse should be contacting you about to discuss re MTX. My ESR has often jumped around from between 30 and 65 but for the last 2 months has settled at 30. I think it's quite normal for it to be that high if you have RA for some of us and as Earthwitch says it can vary hugely from person to person so it's when a pattern of high readings starts to form that they connect it with disease activity. Tilda

[Neverwell]

Thanks tilda the hosptal is doing my bloods iv only been on leflumaride for 5 weeks so still under them im going to phone rummy tomorrow x

[Hidden]

As I am new to this, wht are you talking about?

shaun.

[Neverwell in reply to Hidden]

Hi hayabusa1300

When your on meds for ra you have a book that records you blood resalts

Esr is inflammatory shows if you r having a flare up,alp is your liver functionas mine have jumped up twice in two weeks im a bit worried but going to speak to my nurse wed x