What does elevated levels of ESR and CRP levels indicate?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have had chronic elevated ESR and CRP for about a year accompanied by fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and lately easy bruising. What could it be?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern.

I went through your reports (the attachments removed to protect patient's identity).

Cholesterol is borderline high, so no medicine is needed. I suggest you modify your diet and add exercise to manage it. Hemoglobin, MCV (mean corpuscular volume), and RDW (red cell distribution width) are also slightly deranged. This indicates mixed micronutrient deficiency. I suggest you build up your vitamin B12, Folic acid, pyridoxine, vitamin D, and iron levels.

CRP (C-reactive protein) is high but not critically related to any serious process at this level. It can be ignored if there are no signs and symptoms of an infection or systemic disease. However, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is significantly high and cannot be ignored at this level. There might be some underlying inflammatory or autoimmune process. I also suggest you get ANA (antinuclear antibody) test, rheumatoid factor, and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) levels done for further evaluation.

I hope this has helped you.

Thanks and regards.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest you get your LDH level done and if it is normal, ignore your ESR for a month. Build up your micronutrients and repeat ESR again. Iron and vitamin B12 supplements are to be taken through injectable routes. The rest of the medicines could be taken orally.

Kindly consult a specialist, talk with them, and take medicines with their consent.

I hope this has helped you.

Thanks and regards.