Inflammation markers

[ronroush7]

I am scheduled to see my specialist on the 25th. I had blood work done yesterday and will be giving a stool sample soon. They said they would be looking for inflammatory markers. What does this mean?

 

[Maya142]

CRP and ESR are the inflammatory markers they look for when they do blood work.

Fecal Calprotectin would tell you if there is specifically gut inflammation -- that is a stool test.

 

[ronroush7]

Thanks

 

[The Real MC]

My inflammation marker is my watch, it is usually loose around my wrist. If it won't slide halfway down my forearm, that's a sign of inflammation.

Pants are another good marker. When I had a flare-up, my usual pants would fit tight. I have pants with elastic waistbands reserved for those times.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Gas, lots of gas that smells like rotten eggs. And, blood from the butt. The more often I see blood in stool or diarrhea usually says flare material.

 

[Amy75]

Gas, lots of gas that smells like rotten eggs. And, blood from the butt. The more often I see blood in stool or diarrhea usually says flare material.

That sounds like me, especially blood in the stool.

 

[Anna's Bandit]

My Calprotectin is 694.
Waiting for my Humira.

 

[Amy75]

Can your family doctor check for these things??

 

[ronroush7]

Probably.

 

[Anna's Bandit]

Ron, hope your tests tell you what is going on so that you can feel better.
Lynda

 

[cmack]

Can your family doctor check for these things??

Mine can. I hope yours can too.

 

[Maya142]

Yes your primary doctor can for ESR and CRP. They could check for Fecal Calprotectin but sometimes that is denied by insurance, so it might be better if your GI orders the test, so someone with experience can appeal for it to be covered.

But if you have IBD or think you might be flaring, you need to be in touch with your GI. Your primary doctor can't really help much in this situation. A primary doctor should not be managing IBD.