crp ultras results? what do these #'s mean

[mr.lucky66]

my wife got results back from extensive blood tests. The doc wasn't in and they gave her the results without explanation, strange huh? Aparently the CRP ultras was high at 3.5 and the normal range is from o-2.9. Can anyone enlighten me as to the signifigance of these #'s and this test?

[tanns]

I had a hs-crp done in Feb.  My crp was 5.0.  High risk category was 3.0 and greater.  This test was done at the Mayo Clinic and I talked a long time to the cardiologist about that.  His advice was to be retested in 3 months and see if had changed.  The problem with crp is that it is a nonspecific marker of inflammation.  That means that there is inflammation SOMEWHERE in the body.  I think the higher the number, the higher risk of this inflammation being in the arteries and more.  My other numbers (also an extensive blood workup) were for the most part normal.   How were her other numbers?  If everything else was normal, I would be retested.

I was retested in mid May and mine was 2.6.  Still not where I would like it to be but better than the 5!!!

CRP is still being researched as far as it's relation to heart disease.  At least that is what I was told.

[va_tony]

Try googling "heart disease CRP" and one of the first hits you'll see is a Cleveland Clinic webpage describing C-reactive protein measurements and their significance.  You should read the article (and some of the other google hits) to get an understanding of what CRP is all about and to formulate questions to ask the cardiologist. Yes, 3.5 is above the normal range and indicates there is some inflammation and risk for cardiovascular desease... but with lifestyle change (weight loss, healthier foods, exercise, take an aspirin a day etc.) it can be handled.