Blood levels normal for the most part, now what?

[Kero]

Had my bloods drawn last week, all is normal except an elevated level of something they test for the digestive tract? I can't remember what the doctor called it. She says normal/high range is 130 and mine's at 132...She said it was higher back in 2010, before my hysterectomy at 155. So maybe this has been going on for years and I had no idea? Is it possible for the bloodwork to be normal and still have crohns? She said it can't be diverticulitis because my body isn't showing a high WBC meaning infection, but the worst of my pain is where the diverticulosis is located. Does a virtual colonscopy show if there is any ulcers, or does that require a scope or MRI? I am so confused right now, sorry if I'm rambling and asking a million questions :ybatty::ybatty:

 

[Trysha]

Hello Kero
It is hard to guess what your test is but maybe you are referring to CRP, which is not specific to Crohn's but is an indicator of inflammation in the body somewhere.
Crohn's patients are followed using this test but have numerous other tests besides. Then the CRP can play a significant role during treatments.,but always in conjunction with other blood tests such as CBC,ESR, etc
It is possible to have normal bloodwork with Crohn's and it can hamper a diagnosis.
The gold standard is colonoscopy with biopsies.
Virtual colonoscopy can be very accurate but must be followed by a colonoscopy if abnormalities are found and for the biopsies needed for a meaningful and accurate diagnosis.It likely would show any abnormality including ulcers.
Diverticulosis can cause irritable bowel symptoms (IBS) which can be very painful.
Psyllium fibre, and psyllium husks can be very helpful with this and I suffer from this but find the product Mucillium is very helpful , seems to smooth thing out.
There is a thread with people's accounts of this, all positive.
My GI prescribed this and I am most grateful to him.
I have tried other brands previously and did not get along with them ,Mucillium seems to agree with me.
I believe psyllium fibre can be purchased over the counter also.
Have a look around the forum site for tons of information which you may find helpful
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[mickey]

word of caution...test small amount of Mucillim before full portion. You may have bad reaction...I had it with husks, etc...horrible. Many people can use it, but it depends if you have food sensitivities; particularly corn. Proceed cautiously. My blood levels never truly had an issue, but colonoscopy showed it, so you never know. My mother never had blood issues when she had colon cancer; didn't show up for l o n g time, when in 2nd bout of cancer! So, go by symptoms and health condition as well. Read up and be informed. good luck

 

[Kero]

Thanks everyone. I have found taking in any extra fibre is actually more painful. She suggested that if the pain gets worse to head in to the city to an ER there. I have been waiting almost 2 months to hear back from a referral to a GI. She said to go to one of the hospitals that have a GI on site and I will likely get an expedited referral. She said they also have access to more testing procedures. Unfortunately hubby is out of town until Sunday night.
I don't think this is just IBS. My doc tried to say that, but this is just continuing on for too long to be a bout of IBS. He put me on meds for IBS and they made things way worse. Went from using the bathroom 4 or 5 times in a day to being in there 13 times in a 24 hour period. They also caused me to start bleeding