High CRP

[g_1988]

Hi,

I have pretty high CRP (75) and I'm scared to death about it. I'm not actually scared about my Crohn's, but about the high risk of getting cardiovascular disese because of CRP.

Does anyone actually have some information on this? What does it do to your heart? Does it make it weak or something? I've had a tonne of health anxiety during the past year (especially about my heart) and I was just "getting over it" and now this has come along.

I've had about 5 ECGs in 2009, a chest x-ray and regular full blood counts + liver function tests. Latest (Tues. 29th) full blood count is fine except anemia (hemoglobin is 12). This is an improvement to my previous 11.6, which was also an improvement on 10.8, before that was 10.4. Albumin is also a little low (33), but my albumin has been around 30-35 for months.

I wasn't having regular CRP checks, though, so I have no idea how long this has been high for. I don't take any meds right now, I just take some natural anti inflammatories (which are obviously not working anymore!) and some fiber to help diarrhea.

When I saw my gastro specialist on Dec 29th he said I probably have anemia of chronic disease. Chronic inflammation causes the liver to release proteins which stop the body releasing iron, or something. He said chronic inflammation also causes decreased albumin synthesis and that my low hemoglobin and low albumin are likely a result of inflammation and not bleeding or malabsorption, since my iron (ferritin), folate and B12 levels are all fine. He thinks it's not malabsorption because I have put on nearly 2 stone since my last visit (3 months).

I'm going off track here anyway, what's the deal with this high CRP level? I am seriously worrying about it. The weird thing is, I am in no pain and only minimal discomfort. I am able to put on weight at my leisure right now depending on how much I want to eat, don't seem to be suffering any malabsorption yet my CRP is through the roof.

Could there be something else causing the CRP? I'm thinking something like an abcess? I have a swelling in my rectum right now, I don't know if it is an abcess but it's quite painful and pretty large and oddly shaped. Maybe 1.5 inches long, and mayb 3/4 of an inch wide. My GP said it's likely not an abcess because my white cells are not elevated, and said "swellings" of that nature are normal for Crohn's patients. What else could it be? Could it be causing high CRP?


Thoughts and opinions welcomed


Thanks.


*edit* also, I don't know what unit of measurement my CRP was done with, but is there more than one? I keep seeing places quoting different measurements. Apparently more than 3 is "high"?! I am 75?!

 

[Peaches]

Welcome G! Well....I guess my very first question would be - what was your doctor's reaction to the CRP? Did they seem concerned about it?

 

[g_1988]

He didn't say anything about my heart. I asked him if anything can happen because of it and he said "it's just a marker for inflammation".

Then I went Googling... :lol:

 

[Peaches]

Yep, Google with be the death of some of us :O) So, do you currently have heart disease? I mean, I am 40 and have had high CRP (my doc calls it SED rate) off and on for *years* and a heart issue has never been brought up. Am I missing something? They have always used it as a blood test to see if my disease may be active, that's all.

 

[g_1988]

Hey,

Nope, I don't *think* I have heart disease. Ummm, well I'm only 21, and my doctor has told me many times that "it doesn't happen!" to people my age. It is one of my many health anxieties.

Still can't get it out of my head, though.

Thanks.

 

[shazamataz]

I probably wouldn't worry too much about the heart at your age. I didn't know about the inflammation/heart connection, but I expect it would be a long term thing.
However, that is definately a high CRP rate. Though it may depend where you are (country) as to what measurements they are taking. Here it is normal <5. When i was really sick mine went up to 168 (abscesses and inflammation).

You may not have infection but 75 would likely indicate some active stuff going on.

 

[RachLG]

Hi there g_1988 - (I am no doctor, so please understand my information here is from googling too ) I did some reading (out of curiosity and a slow day at work) about elevated CRP levels and I did find a site that indicated low, med, and high risk for cardiovascular disease, but as you probably already found the scale only goes to 10mg/dL (the doctor may have given you your results in mg/L, which would mean you are 7.5mg/dL, but it would be a great question to ask). However I did find another site that indicated a value above 10mg/dL my be attributed to a non-cardiovascular cause (so if your results are 75mg/dL, you may be in this category) - it seems there are a great deal of people (in scientific journal articles) who believe elevated CRP levels to be linked to Crohn's. So I guess my point is that it may not be heart disease but it is definitely valid to press you doc about it

 

[g_1988]

Hi guys, thanks for replying.

I think there is a little misunderstanding here. I'm not concerned that my CRP is caused by cardiovascular disease, I'm certain it's my Crohn's. However, the concern is that everywhere I look seems to say that an increased CRP level in the blood means you are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the future.

I obviously don't want this so I'm freaking out :lol:


Anyway I'm seeing my GP tomorrow so I'll try and get as much info as I can.

 

[imisspopcorn]

CRP, however, has drawbacks as an indicator for heart disease. Because CRP levels rise in response to inflammation anywhere in the body, it is a non-specific marker, meaning that elevated CRP levels do not necessarily indicate atherosclerosis or increased risk for cardiovascular events. In fact, CRP levels rise in response to many illnesses and chronic diseases, including bronchitis, gastritis, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. It can also rise in response to physical trauma (e.g., burns, fractures, surgery).

Because CRP levels are not specific to any one area of the body, some researchers have concluded that CRP testing is not as reliable as cholesterol, blood pressure and other risk factors in predicting cardiovascular disease in healthy people. Further studies in this area are necessary. Nevertheless, most experts agree that CRP levels can be a very useful measurement in people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.



I hope this makes you feel better. Here a link to the full article.
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/crp-test-heart-disease.html

 

[Mary]

I think you are talking about CPK.

 

[Peaches]

I get you G - you were just saying all the stuff about the heart at the beginning there was all. I think it is fair to say that in a person with Crohn's disease that has been diagnosed - an elevated CRP *probably* means you have inflammation from your Crohn's - and not a whole lot more than that unless you have something else remarkable going on. If you are pretty healthy aside from that - I'd tell the brain it is from your Crohn's and give your heart a rest I just reread a bit of that first post to make sure I wasn't getting confused - *5* ECG's last year - what was going on there? I've had to do those before when I was on Prenisone as it has this annoying lovely side effect of making my heart rate to go a very steady 110bpm periodically. But you are so young - everything ok there?

 

[CrohnsHobo]

I wouldn't worry to much about it. My CRP has been higher than that almost all of last year and my Blood Pressure/Heart Rate have actually improved over that span.

Googling CRP and Heart Disease I found this little tid-bit:

"It's important to note that inflammation due to other conditions, such as an infection, illness, or a serious flare-up of arthritis, can raise CRP levels. Before getting the CRP test, tell your doctor what other medical conditions you have."

The American Heart Association (AHA) states hs-CRP may be useful in evaluating those at moderate risk for heart disease and determining whether or not more intensive treatment is warranted. Those at high risk should be treated aggressively regardless of their hs-CRP level.

The AHA does not recommend hs-CRP testing as routine screening for people who are not at high risk for heart disease.

 

[g_1988]

*5* ECG's last year - what was going on there? I've had to do those before when I was on Prenisone as it has this annoying lovely side effect of making my heart rate to go a very steady 110bpm periodically. But you are so young - everything ok there?

Well, I have a lot of health anxiety Consequently, I have every disease going!

Those were all done in the emergency room of course, panic attacks and everything... :smile:

 

[Peaches]

*I'm sorry* you have to go through that - it must be tough! You are young - I bet you are pretty healthy - remember - life is out there to live!!! It's much funner out there than in a nasty old hospital :O)

 

[CrohnsHobo]

*I'm sorry* you have to go through that - it must be tough! You are young - I bet you are pretty healthy - remember - life is out there to live!!! It's much funner out there than in a nasty old hospital :O)

Ain't that the truth!! Don't let the disease control. It is possible to live a fun, enriching life with Crohn's.

You will get a handle on it eventually.

 

[g_1988]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your kind words.

The funny thing is, it's not the Crohn's that causes any anxiety, it's the fear of getting something else. It's a case of having something seriously compromise my health (Crohn's), and now I have an inbuilt fear of *anything* else happening to me.

GP said I have "classic" anxiety, where something happens to you, then later on when you have time to reflect on it, you realise what actually happened to you and develop a fear of it. I seem to have developed a fear of getting something else, though.

Consequently, every time I notice a change or new symptom, I immediately think of the worst possible causes.

 

[D Bergy]

CRP is something I am starting to monitor. I think it is pretty important over time.

I one time high reading does not mean much, but on average, if it is always high it indicates chronic inflammation which does cause arterial damage and the cholesterol starts accumulating to fix the damage.

Most doctors try to lower the cholesterol, but I do not think the level of cholesterol means much. The ratio does matter and low grade chronic inflammation is what I feel is the cause of most arterial and heart disease.

I do not think it is an accident that Statin Drugs are also very antiinflammatory in nature. I think it is the main mechanism.

The faulty way our immune systems work, mean we are prone to this chronic inflammation, fighting what should be minor infection in a normal person. Fighting it but never quite getting rid of it.

Or something like that.

Dan

 

[loulou]

While your CRP is high there are many people with CD that have a low CRP yet have severe , agressive active disease , it's a marker thats all , it cannot state where the problem is , but if you are known to have an imflamatory illness such as CD , then the cause of a raised level is usually down to that illness has your Dr suggested you seek any help for your anxiety , because stress etc does NOT help CD and you can suffer from symptoms due to the stress so if you are not having any help for this I would seek help . just a note upon my being diagnosed with CD in 1998 my CRP was 581 , But yes I was very seriously ill due to undiagnosed CD , my point is while 75 is high it is still low compared to how high it can reach . I again urge you to seek help from a professional regarding your health anxiety because it will not help your disease all the best and remember because you have CD you should be living your life to the fullest not living your life in fear , xx God bless xx

 

[vickyhunter]

Never heard of an elevated CRP making you at higher risk of heart disease - learn something new everyday!

I try not to think of the things that can develop as a consequence of crohn's, life's too short in my opinion!

Just try and eat healthily and exercise where possible and then the rest is up to fate, so don't worry

xxxxxxxx

 

[jesseiam2]

I just got my test results back and mine was 140, but the reason for it was the inflammation in my intestines, not a heart issue, or atleast thats how I understand it, I could be terribly wrong and about to drop dead of a heart problem.

 

[vickyhunter]

It doesn't mean you have a heart condition, don't worry!
your high CRP is from Crohn's, CRP is serum C reactive protein levels, if you have inflammation in your body it shows up on this test which is why the docs call it an "inflammation marker".
If it was high and you were a completely healthy person with no other illness, then there may be cause for concern, but we all have a reason why our inflammation markers would be higher, so don't worry

Also g_1988 I think you're a bit confused, just looked up a few things and having a high CRP doesn't GIVE you heart disease. Instead it can indicate you have heart disease because the plaque build up in the arteries from cholesterol exhibits inflammatory qualities. So it's not a case of a high CRP causes you to develop heart disease, but merely shows you may have it. Although, as I said above, we all have a reason for having a high CRP so it's nothing to worry about

xxxxxx