Any experience of raised CRP (inflammatory) markers? Starting to panic a bit

[somedogsdo]

Hi - Does anybody have any experience of raised CRP levels in blood test? I’m beginning to get a bit panicky and would love some advice please ladies.

My CRP has been at 27 since June - had 4 blood tests. Haven’t been too worried as figured it would just turn out to be viral infection or something as have been feeling v tired (although am 43 single working mum so can’t remember not being tired!)

Have had full blood count done and all is normal and dr also mentioned she had done electrophoresis tests which were also normal. Just the CRP is still high.

She now wants me to go for a chest x-ray but I’m a bit confused.

She said bloods had ruled out infection and auto immune issues (I don’t quite know how - any ideas?) I asked her whether it could be cancer and she said that if it was i’d be looking at CRP levels in the 100+ range. So I initially walked out feeling quite relieved.

But she said we needed to get to the bottom of it and sent me for a chest x-ray
(I have no chest issues what so ever).

So then I got to thinking (and googling!) why do that, unless to look for some sign of cancer? If it’s definitely not infection, what else could she be looking for?

Am I getting myself in a panic over nothing? Have you had any experience of this?

I’ve also had all over itching (which had since stopped). And had night sweats for couple of years (but think caused by anti-depressant meds).

I’ve got an interview for a job on Monday so should be working but have spent all my free time today googling this instead - argh!

Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks

CRP is a very non-specific marker and as a result on it's own isn't that useful. Surely it's reassuring that all of the you've had negative FBC, autoimmune screen and electrophoresis? It sounds like your GP is being very thorough with what they've done so far and I would trust that they know what they're doing.

Thank you walking - reassuring to hear your words.

I just started thinking that if all the other causes had been ruled out (infection, auto immune etc) then what is causing the CRP to be so persistently high? (it’s supposed to be under 3).

After googling it the 2 that kept coming up after everything out was ruled out were lung cancer and lymphoma. I know googling is silly but ended up thinking it must be that.

Does anybody know anything else (preferably less scary - but anything would be helpful) that could account for those levels?

Thanks for reading - I know I sound neurotic but am genuinely scared!

Hi OP
I’d be interested in anyone’s experience of this too.
My CRP. Levels have been raised since January - I had kidney infection at that time and the level of CRP was 96, by may it had dropped to 33. The doctor hasn’t suggested any more tests other than a kidney scan which was fine.
Everything on the internet suggests that any thing over level 3 is something to be worried about, but the GP didn’t seem too worried about level 33! Apparently if it gets to level 35 then they start looking into causes such as cancer

Hi Catrabbit
That’s interesting. I know the CRP levels can go very high when you have an infection - especially if it’s bacterial. But once resolved they should return to a resting level of under 3.
My GP said that persistent levels of 27 means we need to get to the bottom of it.
Could you maybe ask for another test to see if yours have come back down?
I had to have a few tests to check it hadn’t sorted itself out.

Has your crp levels resolved or did they find the cause? Mines is at 30 for the past couple of times.

I had the same crp level for years (30) and finally worked out that it can be due to low iron..once I started supplementing my levels dropped.

I know DDs went to over 100 when she had appendicitis.
CRP measures inflammation and can be raised for lots of reasons from what we were told. Appendix/bowel issue then was diagnosed from an ultrasound scan

My ferritin level is on the low end so i wonder if that's what's causing my high crp. I've been getting myself worked up as when you google it comes up with lymphoma and cancers. Really need to stay away from googling!