CRP and ESR

[prunus]

I don't usually bother to get my blood test results, but after a problem decided to ring for a copy of my latest. I always thought the range for the ESR was between (0 --35) but on this form it was given as (0 - 17). Has something changed?

[HeronNS]

Possibly, and a good thing. It used to be thought that raised CRP was normal as you aged, but now it's more recognized that it really does mean there is inflammation somewhere in the body, so the lower number likely reflecting that.

[prunus in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks for that.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Every lab has a slightly different range anyway - depending on their technique to some extent. But they used to say that ESR rose naturally as we aged and that up to 30 or even 40 was acceptable for older female patients. Then it occured to someone that maybe all the apparently healthy subjects they based it on weren't as healthy as they thought - that there was some undiagnosed inflammation rumbling along out of sight. So changed it to the same as they use for younger patients, taking a higher level as evidence there might be something going on. It is more often 20 that they take as the top figure.

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

That is very interesting. My theory as regards my ESR, from what I have learnt from you knowledgeable people, is that it shot up when I had to leave my husband down in Yeovil Hospital. So in my opinion it was the stress of that situation. It has gone down again.

[Hidden in reply to prunus]

How are you both doing btw?

[prunus in reply to Hidden]

You've got me puzzled I cannot think what btw stands for - I'm getting old.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to prunus]

by the way probably

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. We are plodding -it is two steps forward and one back. I was disappointed not to get to the AGM but I had had a bad migraine with aura on the Thursday when I got to bed! It takes your confidence away and with travelling on my own decided not to risk it

[Hidden in reply to prunus]

Hopefully migraines will settle as things calm. AGM too far for me travelling and energy wide I think. Let's hope just 1 step forward but no steps back!🌻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to prunus]

Very likely - and as Poops asks, how are you doing now?

[cranberryt]

My ESR results say under 20 is normal. I do think it is different based on age etc.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to cranberryt]

Under 20 is in the normal range - based on a large population of healthy individuals. It doesn't mean it is normal for you personally: my personal normal is low single figures, it ran at 16-18 for some weeks when I was ill. It wasn't remarked on because it was "in normal range" but it isn't normal for me.

The lowest level you can get to with pred in the early days is an indicator of what is your normal - and why you really need to be on that starting dose for at least 4-6 weeks until the markers have fallen to a steady low level.

[kulina]

I keep track of my ESR and CRP but here in the US every lab is different so it's hard to compare. That's why I like to use the same lab for testing. I also found out that if you have a cold or even a sinus infection the numbers go up.

[prunus]

I suppose even a cold or sinus infection puts stress on the body so that is why.