CRP-hs of 6.6--why?

Last year my cholesterol jumped way up (due to menopause??) with LDL at 190. This year the LDL is 192 and total cholesterol is 282 (yikes).

Last year my CRP-hs was 2.0, this year it's 6.6, and I didn't have an infection that I know of. So now I think the doctor is going to put me on medication when I see her next week.

Can CRP really go that high in one year?

[anacyde]

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is a good marker for cardiovascular problems, so it is often used to assess risk levels.  Elevations can be caused by the atherosclerotic process (your elevated cholesterol), inflammation and other conditions.

The AHA/CDC defines risks in the following manner:

Low risk: less than 1.0 mg/L
Average risk: 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L
High risk: above 3.0 mg/L

And yes, it can go that high in a year, especially given your dramatic jump in cholesterol levels.  Definitely follow whatever advice your doctor gives you to modify your risks aggressively.  Medications would be good at this point, probably.  Exercise, healthy diet, you know :)

Best wishes.

[Nancy T]

Yeah, I know... :)

Thanks very much for the info. My cholesterol was about the same (very high) last year, but the CRP was only 2 last year, so I wondered if maybe the CRP jump this year was an anomaly. In any case, I know what I should do, according to the conventional medical wisdom.

I have long been taking 1200 mg of ibuprofen daily for achiness, but I guess that doesn't lower the CRP.

Thanks,
Nancy T.

[anacyde]

The test could be a false one (I think something like 1 in 20 are), but with the jump in cholesterol the year previous, it isn't out of the park to think it is accurate.  Until a test proves otherwise, believe it as true.  You're right, ibuprofen won't help the CRP.

[Nancy T]

Thank you! The info is much appreciated.