CRP (Co-Reactive Protein) Test Questions????

MaryMary · 10-27-2004, 07:42 AM

I had my annual physical yesterday and had asked for the CRP test to be run with my cholesterol screenings. She indicated that my CRP number was elevated (12+) and was a marker for heart disease. She said not to worry because my Total Cholesteral was normal at 165 and HDL was at 49. But I am worried and want to know what the normal range is for CRP and what can be done to get this number to decrease. I have been doing Atkins or a structured Atkins for nearly 4 years and have lost 170 lbs, but this has me worried.

Can you help, Atkins Nutritionist?

Atkins_Nutritionist · 10-27-2004, 09:11 AM

C-reactive protein is a special type of protein produced by the liver that is only present during episodes of acute inflammation. Many consider elevated CRP to be a positive risk factor for coronary artery disease. The role of CRP in coronary artery disease remains unclear. It is not known whether it is merely a marker of disease or whether it actually plays a role in causing atherosclerotic disease. Normally there is no CRP in the blood serum. CRP levels can also be caused by arthritis and recent illness. Do you know what your previous CRP level was and if it changed?

I agree with your doctor and don’t think you should be worried, especially since you significantly decreased your risk of heart disease with your weight loss success. Congrats on that, that’s incredible. Also your cholesterol is normal and your HDL is good. Keep doing what you are doing and don’t worry!

MaryMary · 10-28-2004, 07:15 AM

Thanks for the quick response.

I don't know what my previous numbers were because this was the first time CRP was tested. And she was very vague as to what the ranges are for this test. Do you know what the normal range is considered for the CRP?

Atkins_Nutritionist · 10-28-2004, 07:28 AM

There is no range, as normally there is no CRP in the blood. I'm sure you will have this test repeated next time you go for bloodwork, so from here on out, you can track the level and see how it changes.

Matt · 11-01-2004, 12:17 PM

ive read that it should be less than 2

IrishAngel40 · 11-03-2004, 02:52 PM

C-Reactive Protein is an inflamatory marker. Your feeling of concern over your lab result is valid. There is a lot you can do to help yourself.

Dr. Atkins was a leading practioner of Alternative medicine.

Check out this link to Life Extension for additional information.

http://search.lef.org/src-cgi-bin/Ms...ctive+Protein+

Blood Test "Standard Reference Range" "Optimal" Level:
C-reactive protein Up to 4.9 mg/L Under 2 mg/L

[Some studies indicate C-reactive protein levels should be below 1.3 mg/L (Kaneko et al. 1999; Sandrick 2000) ]

Dr. Atkins was a leading practioner of Alternative medicine.

jaysgirl · 11-03-2004, 05:46 PM

Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatic fever
Cancer
Tuberculosis
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Myocardial infarction
SLE
These were listed as some possible reasons for elevation when I did a search.

taming · 11-05-2004, 04:24 PM

It can also be elevated if you have a transient and minor infection. In Canada, the standard calls for repeating it in two weeks to rule this out.

The list of big scaries contains diseases with many other symptoms. If you are feeling fine, I wouldn't worry about any of them--or about the heart disease connection given your low risk factors.

I do wonder why your doc didn't tell you more about all of this. Very naughty medical professional behaviour IMHO.

10-27-2004, 07:42 AM	#1
MaryMary Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Hampshire BMI:57/24-Maintaining Posts: 4,839 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: 376 lbs/155 lbs//Age 60// 5'7" BF%:47+%/28.4%/25% WOE: GSA Cambridge Greysheet "www.greysheet.org" Start Date: Atkins 1/22/01; GSA 12/23/03 - Total Loss 221 lbs.	CRP (Co-Reactive Protein) Test Questions???? I had my annual physical yesterday and had asked for the CRP test to be run with my cholesterol screenings. She indicated that my CRP number was elevated (12+) and was a marker for heart disease. She said not to worry because my Total Cholesteral was normal at 165 and HDL was at 49. But I am worried and want to know what the normal range is for CRP and what can be done to get this number to decrease. I have been doing Atkins or a structured Atkins for nearly 4 years and have lost 170 lbs, but this has me worried. Can you help, Atkins Nutritionist? __________________ 2001/2002/2003 - Lost 105 lbs. on Atkins & exercise 2004/2005/2006 - Lost 116 lbs. on the Cambridge Greysheet & GSA (www.greysheet.org) - A 12 Step Program for Carb Sensitive Folks 2006- Panniculectomy - Surgically removed 6 lbs. hanging skin 2007/2008 - Maintaining Free from Compulsive Eating Abstinent since 6/21/2004 by the grace of a Power greater than myself My Journey in Pics from Jan 2001 to June 2006 --LOST 221 LBS. - PEACE !!!--

11-03-2004, 02:52 PM	#6
IrishAngel40 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NJ Shore Posts: 1,968 Gallery: IrishAngel40 Stats: 5'10" 260/195 /185 WOE: Atkins pre-maintenance Start Date: January 1, 2003	C-Reactive Protein is an inflamatory marker. Your feeling of concern over your lab result is valid. There is a lot you can do to help yourself. Dr. Atkins was a leading practioner of Alternative medicine. Check out this link to Life Extension for additional information. http://search.lef.org/src-cgi-bin/Ms...ctive+Protein+ Blood Test "Standard Reference Range" "Optimal" Level: C-reactive protein Up to 4.9 mg/L Under 2 mg/L [Some studies indicate C-reactive protein levels should be below 1.3 mg/L (Kaneko et al. 1999; Sandrick 2000) ] Dr. Atkins was a leading practioner of Alternative medicine. __________________ "There is no shortcut to anyplace worth going." - Beverly Sills

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10-27-2004, 09:11 AM	#2
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	C-reactive protein is a special type of protein produced by the liver that is only present during episodes of acute inflammation. Many consider elevated CRP to be a positive risk factor for coronary artery disease. The role of CRP in coronary artery disease remains unclear. It is not known whether it is merely a marker of disease or whether it actually plays a role in causing atherosclerotic disease. Normally there is no CRP in the blood serum. CRP levels can also be caused by arthritis and recent illness. Do you know what your previous CRP level was and if it changed? I agree with your doctor and don’t think you should be worried, especially since you significantly decreased your risk of heart disease with your weight loss success. Congrats on that, that’s incredible. Also your cholesterol is normal and your HDL is good. Keep doing what you are doing and don’t worry!

10-28-2004, 07:15 AM	#3
MaryMary Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Hampshire BMI:57/24-Maintaining Posts: 4,839 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: 376 lbs/155 lbs//Age 60// 5'7" BF%:47+%/28.4%/25% WOE: GSA Cambridge Greysheet "www.greysheet.org" Start Date: Atkins 1/22/01; GSA 12/23/03 - Total Loss 221 lbs.	Thanks for the quick response. I don't know what my previous numbers were because this was the first time CRP was tested. And she was very vague as to what the ranges are for this test. Do you know what the normal range is considered for the CRP?

10-28-2004, 07:28 AM	#4
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	There is no range, as normally there is no CRP in the blood. I'm sure you will have this test repeated next time you go for bloodwork, so from here on out, you can track the level and see how it changes.

11-01-2004, 12:17 PM	#5
Matt Resident Trans Fat Expert Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 5,177 Gallery: Matt Stats: 370/200/170 WOE: Low GI / south beach type diet Start Date: Low GI Started: 4-05	ive read that it should be less than 2

11-03-2004, 05:46 PM	#7
jaysgirl MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: albany,ny Posts: 1,418 Gallery: jaysgirl Stats: 175/140/140 WOE: atkins maintenence Start Date: 8-6-2003	Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatic fever Cancer Tuberculosis Pneumococcal pneumonia Myocardial infarction SLE These were listed as some possible reasons for elevation when I did a search.

11-05-2004, 04:24 PM	#8
taming Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Western Canada Posts: 3 Gallery: taming Stats: 235/220/135 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Sept 5, 2004	It can also be elevated if you have a transient and minor infection. In Canada, the standard calls for repeating it in two weeks to rule this out. The list of big scaries contains diseases with many other symptoms. If you are feeling fine, I wouldn't worry about any of them--or about the heart disease connection given your low risk factors. I do wonder why your doc didn't tell you more about all of this. Very naughty medical professional behaviour IMHO.