Elevated CRP blood test + Borderline low ESR blood test

[JustLaura]

Hi

Can anyone explain what this could indicate?

Elevated CRP: 14 (Range is 0-5)
Borderline low ESR: 1.9 (Range is 2-20)
Borderline High White blood cell count: 11.9 (should be below 11.0)

Results have been consistent for the last 3 months.

Any ideas what this means?

Thanks

It probably doesn't mean anything. Why were you having the tests done? Are you unwell?

I have a swelling on my neck/shoulder area and it's causing intermittent pain in my neck, shoulder and arm on that side.

Well you have no inflammation so that is positive. Your two results do seem at odds with one another though so I can see why you're asking. Are you not entitled to a medical debrief after multiple bloods?

CRP really needs to be in 100s before anyone gets excited.
Low ESR not indicative of anything, many ranges have 0 as bottom end.
Mild elevated white cell count.
All your results point to low grade inflammation of some sort, how big is the swelling, have you been seen by a musculoskeletal primary care for the pain?

My CRP has run between 30 & 60 for years - whenever I get a new dr looking at my bloods they panic. It may be normal for you

Means nothing. No inflammation. Why did you have the test done?

Thanks @philosoppee I have a neck/shoulder swelling. My GP cannot see me about the blood test results for 3 weeks.

Thanks for the reply @Needanadultgapyear I have had the swelling for months and currently about 4cm x 3cm on shoulder/neck. I sometimes get neck, shoulder, arm pain but this is probably 40-50% of the time. Ultrasound showed nothing. MRI scheduled next. GP can't see me to go through blood test results for 3 weeks.

Why would ESR be low and yet CRP high? (CRP has been 10-14 each blood test over last 3 months)?

@crackfoxy I do have a swelling with pain. Ultrasound showed nothing. MRI scheduled.
CRP is continually elevated but I don't understand the implications of low ESR. White blood count indicates infection I believe? GP can't see me for 3 weeks.

That CRP is nothing of concern, just indicates a bit of inflammation. Mine runs around that with rheumatoid arthritis. Slightly low ESR won't ring any alarm bells either.

@JustLaura your Crp is really not high, it is ever so slightly elevated and if remains consistently at that level maybe normal for you.