	AllExperts > Pathology
	Search

About Neha Dahiya MD
Expertise
I can help patients understand their lab report results, help them with queries regarding what pretest preparation is required. How often a follow up test needs to be done. What does a particular tissue biopsy report mean in everyday English. I can explain the biopsy or cytology procedure. I can deal with Histopathology / cytology / clinical pathology and clinical chemistry queries. Helping in this manner will be my contribution to the community.

Experience
I am a pathologist and director of clinical laboratory services. I have been a practicing pathologist for last 9 years in a 350 bed multi specialty hospital laboratory.

Organizations
Indian association of pathologists and microbiologists.
MIAC - Member International Academy of Cytology
International association of Pathologists - indian division
Indian association of Cytology

Education/Credentials
MD (pathology) MBA

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Pathology > Elevated CRP

Pathology - Elevated CRP

Expert: Neha Dahiya MD - 10/28/2009

Question
Hi, I'm a 27yo male and since January this year I have been frequently ill. Each time I am sick with something slightly different (e.g. GI conditions, nausea, muscles aches, fever, colds, flu, bacterial infections). Before this year I was healthy and fit. I exercise regularly, have the right BMI, don't smoke and am vegetarian.

This week I had a fever for three days, lost my appetite, developed acute tonsillitis and acute pharyngitis and have today broken out in herpes all over my lips (this is the worst breakout I can recall).

I went to an English-speaking clinic (I live in China) and had some blood work done:

WBC 8.2, Lymph 1.8 (22.1%), Gran 5.8 (10.6%), Mid 0.6 (7.3%), RBC 5.22, HGB 138, HCT 44.5, MCV 85.2, MCH 26.4, HCHC 310, PLT 137.

But my CRP was 148 mg/L. I was informed this was high but could mean a number of things.

What further testing would you recommend? I am negative to all major STDS known to affect the immune system and for Hep A or B.

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Ben:

The blood work is within normal range. The CRP is elevated. CRP is an acute phase reactant. In other words this test does not help arrive at a specific diagnosis but is an indicator of infection and inflammation. Since you have had acute tonsillitis , pharyngitis and herpes all of these have components of infection and inflammation.

If the levels fall on a repeat CRP it indicates that you are getting better and inflammation is reducing

If after treatment you are still not feeling well please consult an infectious disease specialist to figure out the cause for such diverse acute infections at one time.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question