Question about bloodwork/ what markers and tests are important with Crohn's

[chefmommaof6]

Hey,
I was thinking, that with my son not having the bloody diarrheaa symptom that accompanies Crohn's, that it might be better to be following something in bloodwork to determine how effective different meds/treatments have been. It seems like I have read people mention this, but I am still new to all this and not even sure what kind of bloodwork tests/markers you would look at normally. So what do you as parents follow on bloodwork with your kids to make sure they are in remission/staying in remission? Also, do most doctors do this already, or is something I should be asking for? Also what about vitamin deficiencies tests? Are there some of those I should be asking be done? When we talked with the doc last, he did not offer reassuring answers of how we would KNOW if the meds or diet or anything was helping, with my son's lack of the diarrhea symptoms. And while he seems to have improved, I have read several people mention that this disease can be silently getting worse, even when you think it's getting better. So I really want to avoid that, if possible. Thanks in advance for any advice/information.

 

[kh216]

I am an adult with Crohn's rather than a parent on one with Crohn's. Here are some of the blood work results I look at:

CBC - Complete Blood Count
Red Blood Count -If the red blood count is too low, that indicates anemia, and the symptom of that is fatigue. In that case, it would be wise to discuss iron supplementation with your doctor.
White Blood Count - If the white blood count is too high, it usually means that the person is fighting infection. If it stays at a very high level, then the person might need to be tested for leukemia. If the white blood count is too low, then the person is more susceptible for infection.

CRP - C Reactive Protein - This test measures if one has inflammation in the body. A person with Crohn's with a high rating might be in a flare or might be either entering or finishing a flare. It also tests high if there is inflammation in another part of the body.

Liver Function tests- This is given routinely to people on immunosupressants. If the result is abnormal, the doctor has to either lower or stop the dosage until the result goes back to normal.

 

[AZMOM]

Our doc does the CBC, CRP and LFT (liver) panels mentioned. Also ESR (aka sed rate) which measures inflammation, Folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12. These are the routine ones.

Also, fecal calprotectin. I think you've heard about that one. It's a stool test.

Julie

 

[Henrietta78]

ESR, Fecal calprotectin and iron levels- my son became very iron-deficient anemic from blood loss due to bleeding bowels, and as of late he appears to be in remission based on all clinical evidence and bloodwork, but fecal calprotectin remains elevated.

 

[my little penguin]

CBC , esr , alt , ast, crp
Fecal caloprotectin
Stool journal
extra intestinal manifestations (EIM )

Are what the Gi measures for DS

 

[CarolinAlaska]

Vitamins and minerals (off the top of my head): Vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate, and iron. Others have mentioned zinc and magnesium, but the lab test for magnesium is unreliable.

 

[NMMom]

The biggies I always want to know first and that her dr seems to look at the closest are calprotectin, crp and sed rate. He also looks at her CBC and because of her liver issues we always want to know lft and ggt levels.

 

[Sascot]

My son never had any diarrhea or weight loss so I also struggle to see how he is improving. His blood tests always came back normal even before diagnosis, so we rely totally on faecal calprotectin, which is the only thing that shows an increase in inflammation.