Questions about high c-reactive protien test

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Dan - 15 Mar 2006 02:17 GMT

I'm a 47 yo male, 6 feet tall, weight about 173 lbs. I recently got a c
reactive protein test (not sure if it's the "high sensitivity" type),
and according to the results I just opened, it 23. The stated normal
range is 0.0 to 7.0, from what I've read online the average in the US is
1.5. I'm wondering if the test is screwed up. I exercise (stationary
bike) fairly intensely ever other day for 40 minutes, have done so for
about a year. During this period my heart rate averages about 150. My
blood pressure isn't stellar but not awful either, when I measure it
resting at home it's typically about 128 over 78. Cholesterol tests
have been good, last year total was 160, HDL 53, 2 years ago total was
174, LDL 96, HDL of 60. I know there's some controversy over the
usefulness of this test, so I'm not TOOOO freaked by what appear to be
results from another planet, but jeez, TWENTY-THREE!?! I had a pretty
bad cold at the time of the test, so far I have not seen this mentioned
as causing abnormally high results. I intend to check with my doctor
about this, but I'd be interested in hearing any thoughtful comments
anyone might have about this.

TIA

Dan

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ohush@unc.edu - 15 Mar 2006 06:38 GMT

> I'm a 47 yo male, 6 feet tall, weight about 173 lbs. I recently got a c
> reactive protein test (not sure if it's the "high sensitivity" type),
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> about this, but I'd be interested in hearing any thoughtful comments
> anyone might have about this.

Hi Dan,

Some labs measure CRP in mg/L, and others in mg/dL, which of course
just involves moving a decimal point. It's possible there's confusion
or a data entry error related to that, and your real level is only 2.3.
(That'd be my guess.) However, CRP measures a substance present with
inflammation. If you had a bad cold, you had inflammation, so it could
also be elevated secondary to that, but I don't know how out of the
ordinary 23 is. The guidelines for CRP in an otherwise healthy patient
include a recommendation for taking one 81-mg enteric-coated aspirin a
day, assuming aspirin is safe for you, and safe with any other meds you
take.

--Patti

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Jeff - 26 Mar 2006 15:57 GMT

> I'm a 47 yo male, 6 feet tall, weight about 173 lbs. I recently got a c
> reactive protein test (not sure if it's the "high sensitivity" type), and
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> to check with my doctor about this, but I'd be interested in hearing any
> thoughtful comments anyone might have about this.

What did you doctor say?

That is what he/she gets paid for.

Also, CRP is independent of cholesterol and other lipids as a risk factor,
so the other results, while encouraging, don't rule out a risk of heart
disease.

Jeff

> TIA
>
> Dan

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C A III A - 26 Mar 2006 16:45 GMT

>> I'm a 47 yo male, 6 feet tall, weight about 173 lbs. I recently got a c
>> reactive protein test (not sure if it's the "high sensitivity" type), and
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>>
>> Dan

I gave him a nice layout, but in sci. group Got erased already and the guy
never responded.

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Robert - 26 Mar 2006 19:50 GMT

> >> I'm a 47 yo male, 6 feet tall, weight about 173 lbs. I recently got a c
> >> reactive protein test (not sure if it's the "high sensitivity" type), and
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> I gave him a nice layout, but in sci. group Got erased already and the guy
> never responded.

I would suggest he look up the AHA/CDC guidelines on CRP testing.

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