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"Normal" blood results?

Posted , 7 users are following.

constance.de
constance.de

I have read several articles about PMR sufferers with ESR & GCA that have no elevated blood markers.  One said 1 in 177 patients, one said 1 in 1000, one said 10%. I'm not good with numbers but these don't make sense to me (!?!).  Are any of them correct?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH constance.de

    Posted

    I'd imagine that the 177 figure is what they found in a study - one of the 177 patients that they looked at a decided it was PMR had normal markers.

    Most of the reveiws I've read vary in the figure they quote from 1% to about 17% - whatever, rather higher than 1 in 1000 which from the population I've come across is patently wrong! I don't personally know 1000 people with PMR/GCA but there are far more than 0.1%  with normal blood markers on the forums - I'd say I've probably "met" five or six hundred over the last 7 years and I can tell you two them with normal markers off the top of my head and I know there are at least 4 or 5 more amongst them and probably more since I haven't asked everyone what their ESR was!

    Of course - part of the "there aren't PMR cases with normal markers" is the same as "it never happens in under 50s" (or whatever the age of the month is). They don't look for it, therefore it doesn't exist.

  • Oregonjohn-UK
    Oregonjohn-UK constance.de

    Posted

    Constance - my ESR and CRP inflammation levels were high pre preds.  I've had regular bloods done, over the past two years, and they have never been outside the normal range - CRP 0 - 7.5 and ESR 1 - 30.  I request a print out from my GP every time so I have a record, the last test (23/5/16) was 5 for both ESR and CRP.  These are UK levels and my be different elsewhere

    What I have found is my 'Full Blood Count' come up with 'Abnormal' e.g. this last test shows Total white cell count 11.9 (range 4 - 11), Platelet count 565 (range 150 - 400) this one has been high since I started preds and was at the first test after starting 640!!  All the other blood counts (10 of them) are within the range except Neutrophil count 8.6 (range 2 - 7.5).

    If all this sound a bit technical I'm sorry I don't understand all of them, neither does my GP!

     

    • EileenH
      EileenH Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      If your GP doesn't understand them he needs to do a bit of revision!

      Your "Total white cell count" is probably very slightly high because your neutrophils are high, both counts are similar amounts above the top of the range - neutrophils are one of a range of white cells and are the ones implicated in PMR/GCA. There is some thought that a specialised neutrophil test could provide a better way of monitoring the progess of treatment of PMR/GCA. Pred has its effect via neutrophils - and that is probably how it works in PMR/GCA. White cells are almost always raised when you are on pred and so are platelets.

      If your current ESR is 5 - then if it gets to 30 it is very high for you, which is what is important, even though it is still technically "within normal range" for the general population. 

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK EileenH

      Posted

      He didn't understand why the Platelet count was high, even after I hinted that 'Was it due to the steroids?' and that it had been high since July 2014 a couple of weeks after I started preds.  I had some idea it was and on returning home checked on the internet to confirm - took me 3/4 minutes!

      He was not that concerned about the other 'Total white cell count' as it was only just over the normal range, it has been just under a couple of times in the past.

    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK EileenH

      Posted

      No - he scribbled on his notepad to contact the haematologist to check if there were any concerns!   As he has not got back to me I'm assuming all must be OK!
    • Oregonjohn-UK
      Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      PS - I might just cut and paste your explanation to him?
    • EileenH
      EileenH Oregonjohn-UK

      Posted

      I hope the haematologist was feeling benevolent and took the opportunity to do some teaching. Preferably on how to use google to avoid bothering him unnecessarily...
  • Anhaga
    Anhaga constance.de

    Posted

    I've the opposite concern.  A doctor who is happy with my ESR being at the level "normal for my age" which is I think rather high.  It has come down somewhat but still in two figures.  I understand that to mean there's still significant inflammation in the body, which of course I do feel as the "niggles".  What should I be expecting as time goes on?
    • EileenH
      EileenH Anhaga

      Posted

      The "normal for age" has been dismissed by experts and the "equation" no longer used - as I say, if it is above 20, there is assumed to be some inflammation of some sort going on.

      I feel that it would be a useful exercise for it to be done every few years as part of a "screen" so that you have some idea of what your personal normal might be - mine is in single figures, others are much higher so yours may be fine.

      Dream on Eileen!!!

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga EileenH

      Posted

      Yes, just like I should have had a bone scan about fifteen years ago!  All these health care systems are really sickness care.  
  • veronica81435
    veronica81435 constance.de

    Posted

    My markers were there but not all that high. I'm under 50 years old too! My PMR started early 40s but they only realised it when I was 47 last year. After I felt great when I took steroids for a chest infection. 
    • constance.de
      constance.de veronica81435

      Posted

      You poor thing having undiagnosed PMR for so many years.  You must have been in agony.  Eileen will certainly be able to understand you.  Hers was also undiagnosed for about 5 years, the result being she has been on Pred for 5 or 6 years now.

      I was diagnosed on the day I saw my doctor.  I had strange pains in shoulders, arms, wrists and then I found I couldn't get out of bed (all this for only a few weeks).  Dr recognised the symptoms immediately.

      That was nearly five years ago and it looks as if I am stuck with it.  However, there are worse things to be stuck with.😀

      Being so young you may be 'lucky' and it will have an easy ride.

      All the best fr Constance. 💐

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