CRP and ESR question

[Navion]

Is it possible for your sedimentation rate and CRP to be EXACTLY the same number, to the decimal point, after a month and a half? I'm thinking the lab goofed up because it seems like this wouldn't happen. I've been on prednisone for a month and eating a very anti inflammation diet.

[Soraya_PMR]

Yes.

But like you I’d query it. I’ve said before I’m not a believer in coincidences!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Coincidences DO happen. But so do mistakes.

What are the figures?

[Navion in reply to PMRpro]

I never know what to think of these numbers. Last June they were in the normal range so my PCP dismissed the notion of PMR. In February when I was finally diagnosed, my CRP was 11.5 and my ESR was 37. I refused steroids at that point and went on the autoimmune protocol diet. In April, my ESR had dropped to 23, but my CRP had climbed to 20.5 and I was feeling much worse. A month ago, I went on steroids, 5 mg for a week and then 10 for 3 weeks. Tests taken on Thursday last week showed exactly the same numbers at first. I questioned the results and they just reposted. Now my ESR is at 21 (down slightly) but my CRP is to the decimal point the same, 20.5. I had been hoping these results might help me decide whether to stay at 15, which I posted an earlier question about, or drop back to 10 after 3 days if the pain in my back wasn't vastly improved but my numbers were lower. Now I'm just more confused.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Navion]

I'd say stay at 15mg at least - because the 10mg is apparently not enough to take the inflammation down, just keep it about the same. That isn't what you need, and a higher dose is what you need to get it down. I'd be inclined to think you might even need a bit more to get a speedier result, The fact the CRP is stuck is more significant than the ESR - it is more likely to show what the PMR is doing. But until you see the doctor - stay at 15mg,

[Navion in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. I was leaning that way. I don't see my rheumatologist again for 2 months but I will be getting labs done again in a month and corresponding with her when the results come back. So I'll stick with the 15 for a month and see if I get unstuck.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Navion]

Ha! Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you meant the CRP and ESR were identical!

They can lag to rise, so maybe they lag decreasing.

But clearly you’re not in the normal zone yet, so stick at 15 is my suggestion.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

Shouldn’t be - the Pred should have reduced both. Especially if the readings are pre and post steroids.

It is possible I suppose if both are post steroids, but unlikely that both ESR and CRP would the exactly same.

Perhaps a new round of tests would clarify!

[Navion in reply to DorsetLady]

I called the lab and they assure me everything is okay. They did repost the results and ESR went down from 23 to 21. CRP stayed exactly the same, at 20.5. I just increased my prednisone from 10 to 15 three days ago and per a previous post, was going to drop back down to 10 after 3 days if my back pain didn't get much better. But now, as PMRPro suggests, I'm going to stick with the 15 for a month until I'm retested.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Navion]

Good idea. Hopefully then both should reduce.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Navion]

The reduction in ESR isn’t much either is it?

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Clarification: much better than 37, but seems nearly stuck now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Soraya_PMR]

I'd say it was within experimental error, not a lot!! These aren't significant amounts really.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to PMRpro]

Yes. A blink and miss the other 2mm!