The CRP Test and Lymphedema

Introduction

At the beginning of my recent physical, my physician began the discussion of my blood test lab results with the statement, “We have some very good news – and potentially some very bad news.” Since I felt well, I was puzzled and of course immediately worried.

First the good news: the physical exam and my labs showed improvement over last year. Apparently more exercise and improved eating habits were better paying off. Even my lymphedema seemed to be under control. But what could the problem?

The puzzling test: The CRP test, which had not been included in my previous screening blood tests, stands for C-reactive protein and is designed to detect when inflammation is present in the body.

Introducing the CRP Test

According to the Medline Plus website, a positive test means you have inflammation in the body that can be due to a variety of different conditions, including: cancer, connective tissue disease, heart attack, infection, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), lupus, pneumococcal pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, or tuberculosis.

Happily I had no signs or symptoms of any of these problems, yet my CRP test results were well above the “high risk” level. Could the culprit be my lymphedema? The doctor and I compromised on a follow-up test in a few months (or immediately if I developed any indication of illness.)

Could Elevated Test Results be Due to Lymphedema?

At home I started searching on the Internet. I found the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Consumer information website. Here they offer to have a professional answer questions such as mine. Very soon, and to my immense relief, I received an answer from a professional as promised with the answer to my question. It read, “CRP is a protein that appears when there is inflammation, but is not specific for any certain type/site of inflammation. There is inflammation in lymphedema. Therefore, yes your increased CRP could be a result of your lymphedema.”

When your results to a CRP test are abnormal for no apparent reason, you may want to remind your physician that you have lymphedema and that it might be a cause. However just because you have lymphedema, does not mean that you should ignore these test results or your physician’s advice.

© LymphNotes.com 2010.This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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Category: Living With Lymphedema Updated: 2010-06-02