Numbers???

jackie1955
jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
edited 10. Apr 2009, 05:59 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi folks,

I've seen where some of you quote your ESR and CRP levels, so today I asked the nurse what mine are.

End of Dec was when I first saw gp about my joints and he did my first blood test. The nurse said results of that test were my Rheumatoid Factor was Positive, and my ESR was 9.

On 3rd Feb ESR was 13, CRP was 10.1 (she said that one is nearly double what it should be) and this weekend I am to start on 10mg MTX for 4 weeks, then a 'maintenance' dose of 15mg.

I felt pretty stiff and painful until I had a injection a couple of weeks ago, but now thats 'kicked in' I feel loads better.

Just wondered what you experienced folks think of those figures......

Jackie x

Comments

  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    ESR tests:

    It is a nonspecific screening test that indirectly measures how much inflammation is in the body.

    Men under 50 years old: less than 15
    Men over 50 years old: less than 20
    Women under 50 years old: less than 20
    Women over 50 years old: less than 30

    CRP tests:

    The CRP test is considered a general test, not a specific one. In other words, it can reveal that there is inflammation present in the body, but it cannot tell you where it is. Generally, there is no CRP detectable in the blood.
    More at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_qa.asp#g

    Joseph
    8)
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  • eckstardeluxe
    eckstardeluxe Member Posts: 1,192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    All I know about ESR levels is above 7 is abnormal and they test for it to see how much inflammation is there. They used to check this regularly with me as a kid because it is highly raised in people with Osteomyelitis and only goes down when the disease is leaving your system. I never knew this then, only recently when I accessed my medical notes.
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I guess what is 'throwing' me is my numbers seem so low compared to what I've read on here!

    They don't seem that far from normal to me..... do you think because I have all the symptons of RA plus RA Positive that this is why Iam being started on the MTX now?

    Has anyone else had such low readings before starting meds?

    Jackie x
  • averyniceman
    averyniceman Member Posts: 75
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jackie1955 wrote:
    Hi, I guess what is 'throwing' me is my numbers seem so low compared to what I've read on here!

    They don't seem that far from normal to me..... do you think because I have all the symptons of RA plus RA Positive that this is why Iam being started on the MTX now?

    Has anyone else had such low readings before starting meds?

    Jackie x

    This may explain it -- if it does it looks like you're rheumatologist is on the ball! Well done.



    http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/50-percent-of-recent-onset-RA-patients-become-free-of-signs-and-symptoms-within-36-weeks-21610-1/
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jackie, i know nothing of these numbers and never asked at the clinic but i shall in the future. It is a known fact that early treatment does help put arthrits in remission. Glad to hear your depot medrone is working now.
    Colin
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    averyniceman: Thanks for that link - thats very encouraging! Yes my rheumy seems to be 'on the ball' doesn't he :)

    Colin, yes the injection has been great, shame you can't just have them every so often instead of pills.

    Actually, regarding the 'numbers' I don't know if its useful knowing them or not? I mean, I'm no expert so if they go up or down I wouldn't know what to do except follow the rheumys instructions!

    Jackie x

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