I cannot understand it. My CRP this time is 16, but my ESR is 55.
How can that be, when they are both inflammation markers? I was so glad to hear, that my CRP had gone down to 16, as it has been very high for a whole year despite me being on 25 mg mtx and Cimzia.

My rheumy nurse asked me, if I have had any infections, i.e. urinary or chest, but no, not that I am aware. I do tend to cough a bit when I lie down to sleep at night, but as I had an chest Xray, when I started Cimzia, I have not worried about it

I am off to make breakfast for hubby and me. I think, I am going to bake 2 loaves this morning, they are going to be wholemeal with lots of corn and pumpkin seeds. My husband is diabetic, so that`s much better for him. I also bake a large badge of biscuits with half the sugar of the recipe, put gound spice instead.

I wish you all a good day

Merete

hi Merete,

have to say my ESR has always been in the 30 to 50 range .. even though i was told i was in clinical remission at one stage after starting on Humira a year ago. i was told not to fret on it but to go on how i feel.

a month or two after starting on Humira the joint in my middle finger which was double the size returned to normal with the above readings.

my CRP also fluctuates from single figures to slightly higher, but at my appointments with the Consultant they do the overall DAS score on joints and how i feel as well as my bloods.

i really think we are all so individual that perhaps a high ESR in one person might make a difference but in another make no difference at all as seems to be in my case. but i'm no expert, but have to say i do find it all a bit confusing after reading posts and how things affect people differently.

so as long as i am feeling under control in myself i tend not to worry now every month after blood tests.

having complete faith in my Consultant and Rheumy Nurse they have re-assured me to think this way as long as i am feeling OK.

not sure this helps you but just thought i'd give you the info i was told.

Suzanne

Hi merete

Mine fluctuate

For years I had super high esr

My crp never got over 23

Then it all changed after a set of serious kidney infections and the crp is always high and the esr hovers around 30-50

Crp is often 80 in flair for me. But everyone's disease is different. The normal level of crp changes with age too apparently.

I did ask about this and the dr explained that's why they measure both esr and crp as if it doesn't show in one, it might show in the other.

The rheumatoid factor goes up when you are poorly controlled too apparently
In bath they used to measure viscosity and not esr/ crp.

Hoping you are ok.

Jenni xx

CRP or ESR really makes little difference in the whole scheme of things!

ESR reacts more slowly to changes and for this reason is less reliable when treatment changes are required. However, what is important is the trend of results over a period of say 3 months or more. We all have different start points for both ESR and CRP and without knowing our personal trends the values are pretty useless to be honest.

The 'normal' baseline for ESR is regarded as in the region of 1-7mm but my personal normal is about 16-20mm. At 60mm, my reading at the start of the week, inflammation levels are pretty high. That's not necessarily to say it's all down to the Rheumatoid though; as I have a heart condition too there may be other areas of inflammation involved. This can apply to us all. Even minor infections can affect blood results significantly!

So, yes, don't live by blood tests alone ... they rarely provide a full picture!

Lyn x