Date: 10.05.2010
From: Kirstine
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Subject: Puzzled by blood results
When i was refferd to rummy my rhumatoid factor was 72.3, esr 30, crp was 12. I started mtx and now my RF is 74.3 , ESR 19, crp 6. So im of the conclusion the lowerd results are the mtx working but is. It normal for the RF to keep creeping up??? Im still getting flares and am stilltaking painkillers and neproxin daily but they dont seem to help the pain much.
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Date: 10.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
Don't know K - sorry - but my RF was 80 the last time I had them done. But I don't know esr/crp ? Is it best for you to ring the Rhuemie's up you think ?
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Date: 10.05.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
All I know is that CRP determines how active the disease is. Your CRP is now 'normal' lol so thats gotta be good?
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: MazM
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
ESR & CRP are both inflammatory markers, meaning if you have any inflamation anywhere in the body they will go up, your RF can go up & down as well so not to worry. It's my opinion that as a patient we have to do everything we can to get our ESR & CRP back into normal range .. not forgetting that stress plays a big part in this as well.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
MazM so the RF is not important ? It's very confusing isn't it ? Interesting what you say about stress. I stupidly lost my cheque books while out shopping on Friday and didn't realise till Sunday afternoon. I was beside myself with worry and I felt absolutely dreadful all Sunday night. I'm also Diabetic so it's a double whammy stress wise.
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Date: 11.05.2010
From: Anna
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
I dont know, i think it depends on the person. Maybe they're an accurate measurement of 'disease activity' for some people, but I never have anything raised in my bloods and when I got them taken last time i had a swollen finger. I think my ESR was 2 or something.. hmm. So for some people they don't mean anything. I wouldn't worry about it too much, if your symptoms don't start improving though I'd ask for a change in medication. good luck!
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Date: 12.05.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
I'm afraid I can't help with the RF but did however have a discussion with my Rheumy last time about CRP and ESR. He said for CRP anything above 6 is classed as elevated (mines 38.6) and ESR anything above 10 is regarded high (mine is 31). I hoping mine will come down soon with the increase of mtx and introduction of Remicade :-)
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Date: 12.05.2010
From: Louise
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
I know where I live ESR norms are calculated for women by your age + 10 divided by two, so for instance if your are age 40 the upper limit for ESR would be 25. There seems to be two different tests for ESR and the upper limit would depend on which test your local laboratory uses. Hope this helps
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Date: 13.05.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Puzzled by blood results
Ah Louise! That's interesting and has made me feel so much better. Mine should be 21.5 so 31 doesn't seem so bad afterall. Thanks! :-) X
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