Raised CRP. What can it mean?

[SpottyDottie]

I had an endometrial ablation 5 weeks ago and last week I had a blood test because I still feel tired and haven't stopped bleeding. I thought I might be anaemic. But the results are all fine with the exception of CRP levels. The doctor phoned me at home and explained that it is a sign of inflammation or infection. I have no signs of infection and my white cell count is normal. So that leaves some sort of inflammatory disease or perhaps arthritis. I'm seeing a doctor next week to discuss further. In the meantime I'm worrying myself silly over it. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

Nobody knows.........

How high is it?

It is a totally non-specific inflammatory marker.
IMO if you are still bleeding after your ablation it's likely related to that rather than arthritis etc.

It should simply be rechecked again after an interval to see the trend: going down, all good; going up, think again and look further.

Thanks Pacific I don't know how high it is. It was all told to me over the phone and I failed to ask.

The 'normal' level can vary from lab to lab, so I cannot give you absolutes.

It's an 'acute phase protein' that rises in the presence of any inflammation or infection. Like I said the trend is more important than the individual number (within reason - if it were in 3 figures I am sure your dr would have sounded more worried )

Good luck.

I am in the same situation. Mine is 23 where the upper limit should be 12.My white cells are at the high end of normal.

I have to repeat the test in a month.

I worried so much about it yesterday that I ended up going to bed with a splitting headache.

Sorry to hear you are in a similar position PowerPants

The doctor said it was 'odd' because my white cell count was normal.

Crp can be raised after any invasive treatment/surgery because the whole inflammation cascade is started

I'm hoping that is all it is, member but even though I told this doctor about my op they never said 'that's what it is likely to be'.

I've got myself in a right tizz!

Thank you so much for your replies, I really do appreciate it. I'm one of life's worriers!

Spotty - I am a worrier too but having read online I think it is most likely to be one of those weird things. That's what I am chanting to myself anyway. Wishing you lots of luck.

Good luck to you too PowerPants

Hi. I had the same reading a few years ago with no symptoms. My GP referred me to rheumatology and repeated the blood tests every few months. They were slightly down after a time but still fall outside the normal range.

I had a rheumatology review after a year and was discharged as I was still completely well. It's all a mystery, but the rheumatologist did say that about 5% of the population have raised levels and live with no problems and may not even know about it.

I was overweight and lost a couple of stone when my levels reduced but they're still outside the normal range so that didn't solve the problem.

I guess what I'm trying to say is not to worry as it could turn out to be nothing.

Thank you Elvista.

I agree, most likely to be related to the ablation. I had raised levels last year due to pelvic adhesions. The gyne specialist who treated me said that GPs are too fixated with it as a test and from his experience and research you can elevate reading by doing something as simple as going for a run. So nothing at all to worry about i'm sure

If you get symptoms such as abdominal pains, fevers or sweats, go to the GP and get another test and be reassessed.
Be on the lookout for specific symptoms of infection....vaginal discharge, pain or burning passing water, coughing or coughing anything up from the chest, diarrhoea and again go back.... If you get these, they may need to do a urine culture , get a chest X Ray or consider admitting you for a gynae or other opinion if you become unwell

Thanks all

I hadn't any symptoms when the blood test was done but now have the early signs of a cold. Sore throat, slight cough.

I must admit I do feel a lot better about it than when I first started this thread. The cold, well, I figured I'd get one after sitting on a cold park bench yesterday freezing my ass off!

I saw my GP today. I'm having another blood test to see what the levels are now. They were 35. They thought it was likely linked to my op. so hopefully if the numbers have gone down then it was. Fingers crossed!

35 is not too bad.

I'm glad to hear that!