Interpretting blood values

[greypup]

M had some blood work this week to prepare for Imuran.

It's really nice that I can look at the results online. Her ESR is 19 and CRP is 1.8

Can anyone help me interpret these?

TY!

 

[Farmwife]

Did they give you the normal ranges? Is there a mark next to the levels that has a H or a L?
Each lab is so different.

 

[Jmrogers4]

These are results for inflammation markers they will generally also give you a normal range. As far as children go I think anything 10 and under is considered normal but I believe it is a higher number for adults not sure exactly what it is though and if they are basing it on pediatric or adult
I believe anything under 1.0 on CRP is considered in normal again I'm only basing this on child levels but again it should give you a normal range.
Given that they are testing for Imuran it would not be surprising to see some level of inflammation. You really need to look at all levels to get a complete picture though WBC, RBC etc.
One tells more long term inflammation levels and one is more a short term say you were had a cut or something that would raise the short term more then the long term if you understand what I mean.
I'm sure someone who knows more then I will be along shortly if they haven't already answered you while I was typing.

 

[greypup]

Both values are marked on a graph as normal but they do not provide a numerical range of normal.

I'm wondering if these values are considered good after having a severe presentation at diagnosis and then resection surgery in June. M has only been on Apriso and will begin the Imuran soon.

I'm feeling a little nervous about the meds and looking for all the positive that I can get ;-)

 

[Jmrogers4]

I would request the full report since all labs seem to run a little different. They will give you normal range they based them on and it will be easier to see trends in the future and know if a med is working or if there are maybe some issues happening as you will start to know what normal is for her.

 

[Jmrogers4]

Did she have any blood done at diagnosis or since then you could request copies of and compare, see if there is a difference up or down from that?

 

[Patricia56]

If they were marked as normal then they are within the normal ranges for that lab. Different labs use different versions of the same test and therefore can have different normal ranges.

Keep in mind that labs are just a snapshot in time and must be interpreted within the context of the whole child. You can have labs that are normal and still have a very sick child. You can have labs that are abnormal and still have fairly mild disease although very bad labs = really sick child as a general rule.

Take comfort in the labs and begin the maintenance medication on schedule so you will (hopefully) continue to see labs that are comforting.

 

[greypup]

Sounds good. I will request previous labs so that I can track trends. She is feeling well and is looking great. I take great comfort in that alone.

Thank you!