Any UC members with *elevated* tests of CRP (C-Reactive protein) and ESR (sed. rate)??

Anyone know how Specific and Sensitive the CRP and ESR tests are?

I had my first attack of UC in Fall 2012. They found on Colonscopy that I had 'severe colitis' (colon inflammation) and 'a bad rash of bleeding ulcers' on my colon walls.

My Bloodwork for ESR and CRP is always NORMAL, despite having been passing very large blood clots and mucus and the Biopsies returning as positive for Ulcerative Colitis. Lately the tests are still 'normal' despite the joint and tailbone pain that some UCers mention.

I'm suspecting that the CRP and ESR are not very good at detecting inflammation -- unless maybe the whole colon (pan colitis?) is present. I've seen a number of people posting on other groups/sites about having flaring UC but negative BW.


Emma

Post Edited (emmaleechase) : 6/28/2014 12:28:46 PM (GMT-6)

My highest CRP was 350 >_>.

i.imgur.com/qX4Yc.jpg

I did have pancolitis and it was Crohn's to boot. Whether the latter makes a difference, I don't know. I find it weird that some people get a raised CRP, while others don't. If you have colitis, that's colon inflammation - I don't get why a general marker like CRP wouldn't rise for everyone in that case.

If anyone knows the answer to this, I would like to hear it.

Well, it's several years later, and it turns out the test I *should* have been getting was the CALPROTECTIN test.

Even after 6 months on IMURAN, the Calprotectin (Calpro) test result was 10x normal.


SMH


Live and learn.

Hope this saves a life or gives someone back their life, on the road to diagnosis.


Emma