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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Showing my ignorance now, but
Just wondering why some of us have inflammation levels measured with esr and others crp............
During the 6yrs that I have had ra, I only ever receive esr levels. I guess they must be very similar.
Does anyone gets both results and if so do they run the same, ie if you have a esr of 30 will that also be a similar number as crp.
Zena x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 302
Location: Rainham Kent
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I don't think they completely corelate. My Rheumy doesn't check crp,however my rheumy nurse does!!!
My last esr was 2 !!! Anne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Zena. These tests are used to monitor the activity of autoimmune diseases and our response to any medications that our rheummies prescribe to treat the condition. Changes in ESR are slower than changes in CRP, so it is a less sensitive indicator. In addition, many non-inflammatory conditions may elevate the ESR, such as anemia, menstruation, pregnancy, and use of a variety of medications. The ESR test is less expensive than CRP which may explain why a lot of rheummies don't use it.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/24/2013 Posts: 703 Location: Hexham
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The other problem is that CRP is a generak inflammatory marker. If you have a viral infection CRP will be raised. My ulcerative colitis also raises my CRP. So it's a not very subtle tool. Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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ESR also rises with infection, Paul. I discovered this when I had my leg infection. The ESR rose at a very alarming rate and climbed to ober 600. The CRP climbed more slowly and peaked at 479. Scary days!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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Hi Zena
Just like you I am not really up on how these things are measured - even after 4 years of RA. My CRP is averaging <5 and my ESP 25 - as no-one has said that this is a problem I have just gone along with it. If anyone thinks there could be a problem please let me know. I don't think I have really answered your question Zena but I hope all goes well for you.
Jane
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/24/2013 Posts: 703 Location: Hexham
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Jane-o wrote:Hi Zena
Just like you I am not really up on how these things are measured - even after 4 years of RA. My CRP is averaging <5 and my ESP 25 - as no-one has said that this is a problem I have just gone along with it. If anyone thinks there could be a problem please let me know. I don't think I have really answered your question Zena but I hope all goes well for you.
Jane CRP of <5 is considered normal. But that doesn't mean you won't be feeling symptoms. One of my GPs said it's how the patient feels that's important. She does a shift at our local A&E and she says she recently had two cases - an elderly lady with a CRP of 50 and a young boy with a CRP of > 300. The young boy got sent home with antibiotics, the elderly lady was admitted. Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/7/2013 Posts: 71 Location: Suffolk.
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They read both of mine every fortnight. The last one was ESR 48 an CRP 17 I think.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Thank you all, I had thought that infection might raise markers but am surprised to read that so many other things can affect these readings too. I should have guessed Jean that expense might come into the choice of which test is used!! I don't get to see my results now. My infusion nurse does my blood test at the same time. If I don't hear from anyone I know that they are O.K. I'm happy with that.  Zena x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Zena, most of us have our "own" level of ESR and "CRP" at which we feel comfortable. My CRP is normally between 35 and 45 which is high according to the "norm" but usual for me. I thnk we all have different norms and would suggest you ask to have your blood results so you can keep track of fluctuations. The only time mine has been less than this was whilst I was receiving 5 different infusions of antibiotics, when it dropped to 24 for a week or two.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Thanks Jean, will take my little book along with me next time.
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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The CRP is a more reliable measure in general But mine has changed over time The ESR used to rocket to over 30, than 60 than 100 every flare The CRP normally about 18/22 Then it swapped and the CRP sent up to huge numbers And ESR sat about 40-60 I did find my time of serious infection sent them both off massively The rheummy said, when I asked about the swap That this is why they check both! When I was in bath They didnt do either They check viscocity how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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i've always had both CRP and ESR levels checked, and they can vary enormously.
i agree with Jean .. i was told not to concentrate on the numbers but more on how i felt .. this was especially so when i started on Humira, i became fixated with checking each month.
it surprise's me that everyone's isn't checked monthly, i thought this was the norm. i have a book that all my results are filled in.
Suzanne
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