1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

Vitamin D level - ESR - CRP what's the norm?

Posted , 11 users are following.

pat38625
pat38625

Hi, just got diagnosed PMR 12th November past (undiagnosed for 6 months). 

I was put on 20mg pred.  Was sent to Endocrinology 8th January where they have referred me to Rheumatology (no appointment yet).  Endo consultant told me to drom to 15mg.  I was seeing my gp the next day so confirmed with her that I was reducing to 17.5 which I am still on.  

Got blood results from Monday ESR 20  CRP 6.6  Vit D 72.  Receptionist rang me give me results and said ESR was still high and CRP is still high and Vit D is still low.  I thought ESR was ok for my age (just turned 60) I also though ESR was good under 10 but was told it should be under 5.  Dr. said keep taking calcium.  Thanks in advance for any replies.

2 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

Prev
  • EileenH
    EileenH pat38625

    Posted

    That is a new one on me - most doctors take up to 20 as within normal range. 5 matches the figures the inventor of the currently used test quoted in 1918! Inbetween it was though that a figure of 30 was acceptable for a 50 year old woman but more recently they have decided it should be lower. It is an indicator of any sort of tissue damage or inflammation and it is reasonable to assume that older people probably have some ongoing inflammation of some sort, arthritis or whatever. Good luck to your doctor in getting it down to under 5 - mine is and I know 2 other ladies who are as low but ours were NEVER raised! Mine hit the dizzy heights of 7 once.

    As twigjean has said - the fgures vary from lab to lab for CRP and may also very by a factor of 10 depending on what the units are: per 100ml or dl or per litre.

    As for your vit D - hallelujah! I've come across doctors claiming figures under 30 are OK so you obviously have an enlightened practice!

    • pat38625
      pat38625 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks Eileen, at present I am pretty ok with my results.  I will see my implantologist on Monday night to discuss implants (teeth) and see what he says about increasing pred or whatever.  But overall am pleased.  Yes my vit D is good also.  I am never outside, if I am it's straight into the car, even in the summer.  It must be the Adcal so I have no reason to complain, isn't that good.
  • debbie27473
    debbie27473 pat38625

    Posted

    Hi. Like ptolemy, my crp has never been below 5. The lowest I've managed is 13. Highest 25. My rheumatologist said to keep reducing unless it goes above 20! Mind you he also said that starting people on 20mgs of pred instead of 15mgs makes the pmr worse, not better (!), so I'm afraid I have not got much faith in him. When I pointed out that I 'talk' to real people who are actually suffering from this disease an that many of them had to have 20mgs before they acheived relief, he said 'perhaps none of those people have pmr, perhaps they have all got fibromyalgia! I then pointed out that Pred does not have any effect on fibromyalgia and he said I was completely wrong and that Pred is a very strong painkiller that works on all types of pain. I gave up at this point and agreed to differ. Sorry, got a bit carried away there with my rant! Wishing you all the best Pat. The best advice I can give you is, do what your body tells you, you need to have some sort of comfort and normality. Debbie
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey debbie27473

      Posted

      Debbie, he's wrong on so many counts that he doesn't appear to know much about either PMR or Fibromyalgia!  Some rheumies and GPs are so willing to listen to us patients and work with us rather than against us - it's just a shame that they're not all as human!  Glad he wasn't my rheumy!
    • pat38625
      pat38625 debbie27473

      Posted

      Hi Debbie, the quote from your rheumy "perhaps none of these people have pmr" well what if they may have pmr.  It seems like he doesn't want to listen to you, it's a case of his way or the high way.  I have yet to see a rheumy.  Why oh why do they not listen to their patients, who know and have experienced the pain of pmr.  He hasn't walked in your shoes YET
    • EileenH
      EileenH debbie27473

      Posted

      What a prat! I'd use something far stronger but I'd be banned. Where DO they get their ideas from! I trust you no longer see HIM!

      I've had this suspicion for a while that there are quite a few rheumies who don't feel either fibro or PMR are worthy of their attention, they aren't "real" illnesses. It's only historical that we are under rheumies because of the way PMR presents and when it "turns into" GCA they just carry on. We should be under vascular specialists but there's a real shortage of them and you end up having to travel long distances to see one. Of course - if we were a few of us would have to persuade certain rheumies to transfer...

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.