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C reactive protein and eyes

Helen40

Well-Known Member
Messages
139
Location
North lincolnshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all, so I discovered today that my crp is significantly elevated at 22, this is also strongly associated with increased ocular vascular bleeds.

My retinopathy had been stable for 14 months following VR surgery and consultant could not see why I had a recent bleed again.

My thinking from my research is these crp levels are the cause, or rather the inflammatory response is. GP can't see me until December! What do I do or who do I turn to? The readings are not positive and says it contributes to rapid vision damage.

Any thpughts or experiences of thus please?
 
I also asked this question and GP said it makes no difference as its a significant elevation either measurement. Hope that answers your question?
 
Helen40 said:
I also asked this question and GP said it makes no difference as its a significant elevation either measurement. Hope that answers your question?
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Morning Helen So sorry to hear of your challenges. I do not have any eye problems. My CRP levels are regularly raised. Usually attributed to my arthritis or colitis. Is there any way you could get advice via your ophthalmologist. Waiting till Dec to see a GP is very poor.

Hope you can get some answers
 
Hi my crp levels are high at the moment.
 
Libby66 said:
Hi my crp levels are high at the moment.
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Hi Helen, sorry you are going through a tough time at the moment and sending you some virtual hugs x

What is c reactive protein? and how would one know if their's is high or low? - is it a blood test or what? - sorry, I have not heard of this before
 
Mrs T 123 said:
Hi Helen, sorry you are going through a tough time at the moment and sending you some virtual hugs x

What is c reactive protein? and how would one know if their's is high or low? - is it a blood test or what? - sorry, I have not heard of this before
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C-Reactive proteins are made by the liver . They increase in response to inflammation in the body. They are often listed on a blood panel as part of a general health check up. Here is a useful exert from a scientific paper on the relevance of C-Reactive Protein levels 'C-Reactive Protein: Clinical Relevance and Interpretation ' Singh , Goyal and Patel .

The standard interpretation of CRP levels are as follows:

  • Less than 0.3 mg/dL: Normal, typically observed in most healthy adults
  • 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL: Normal or minor elevation, often seen in conditions such as obesity, pregnancy, depression, diabetes, common cold, gingivitis, periodontitis, sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, and genetic polymorphisms
  • 1.0 to 10.0 mg/dL: Moderate elevation, commonly associated with systemic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, other autoimmune diseases, malignancies, myocardial infarction, pancreatitis, and bronchitis
  • More than 10.0 mg/dL: Marked elevation, typically linked to acute bacterial infections, viral infections, systemic vasculitis, and major trauma
  • More than 50.0 mg/dL: Severe elevation, generally seen in acute bacterial infections

 
Thanks for that, so it would generally show up in the liver function test if it was high, which is part of the diabetes full blood tests?
 
Mrs T 123 said:
Thanks for that, so it would generally show up in the liver function test if it was high, which is part of the diabetes full blood tests?
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I believe C-Reactive Protein levels has its own test. It does in Canada . It comes under routine chemistry which does cover other liver tests like Alanine Aminotransferase etc
 
Melgar said:
I believe C-Reactive Protein levels has its own test. It does in Canada . It comes under routine chemistry which does cover other liver tests like Alanine Aminotransferase etc
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Thanks for that - I am in the uk and have never heard of it before - every day is a school day
 
 
Not trying to compete but my crp after major surgery was 325.5 (unrelated to eyes). At latest bloods, it was 3.5. But now I do have rapid deterioration of my eyes. Ironic, because my diabetes is well controlled and my eyes were fine when it wasn't. Wishing you the best. @Helen40
 
So sorry to hear that Rosie, all we can do is trust in the process and the wonderful new treatments, they're now looking at gene therapy that stops the production of vegf in the eyes! Might too far away for us but the injections we do have available are literally sight saving xx
 
Mrs T 123 said:
Hi Helen, sorry you are going through a tough time at the moment and sending you some virtual hugs x

What is c reactive protein? and how would one know if their's is high or low? - is it a blood test or what? - sorry, I have not heard of this before
Click to expand...
Hello there

No I'd not heard of it before, yes it was a routine blood test as I keep getting a horrible flu like illness every few weeks. Crp is a marker of the bodies inflammatory response when fighting off infections, the higher the number the bigger the inflammation, they then have to see why this marker has happened, it can be fighting infection, kidney or heart problems etc. X
 
Libby66 said:
Hi my crp levels are high at the moment.
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Is your GP doing further tests to see what's the cause of the inflammation? It can be caused by so many different things - even diabetes itself, in my case they suspect my kidneys are the issue so I'll be getting separate test....in December which is the fist GP appt they have! ( x
 
Hi and thankyou x

I spoke yo my eye consultant (top guy) he said there can be a correlation between this marker and eye health but it's not usually causative as it's an inflammation response it obviously affects eye health too, I have no option but to go through my GP sadly for further tests. They're not a sympathetic practice and my pleas have been met with a hard 'you'll have to just wait" they also failed to tell me that my potassium is below the standard too so I'm bolstering it myself with coconut water! It shouldn't be a fight to get good health care, or feel like so much hard work checking everything myself but there we are!
 
Helen40 said:
I just had full bloods done for a fluey bug I keep getting x
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So, what is the actual name of the blood test, e.g. Hba1c?

Also, I have just started using the Noctura 400 eye mask at night (only since July) so too soon for me to recommend or not, as apparently it can take 3-6 months to make a difference, I am not sure if you have heard of this or not. It is not cheap at £79 per month but I could easily spend that on rubbish and decided to prioritise my eyesight as I have had retinopathy & maculopathy almost since being diagnosed around say 8 years now when I very quickly put my diabetes into remission, and I thought I was doing the right thing and not aware that had I slowly reduced my levels I may have avoided this - sometimes we can't do right for doing wrong with this beast diabetes, eh. and like yourself I am still working, driving etc and hope to be for as long as I can - it is a real fear, eh. So, back to Noctura, you could perhaps google or seek advice from your eye specialist - I think some nhs trusts are using it but unfortunately, not where I am so I have to self fund. Take good care of and look after yourself x

Just had a thought if you could keep getting a fluey bug, perhaps try a multivitamin it could possibly boost your immune system. Sending some virtual hugs your way x
 
Hi, sorry maybe I didn't write it correctly, I think I explained they suspect issues with my kidneys, it was a full blood count not a specific or individual test. The flu symptoms are indicative of some type of inflammation rather than an actual virus. I'm usually incredibly healthy, this all just started a few months ago. My diet is excellent too...

I have heard about the noctura! Would love it but out of my price range sadly, lone parent to 3 daughters - but one day maybe!

increasing oxygen is important I'm told but advised to try more walking instead

I hope your eyesight remains stable, there is so much treatment nowadays, the Outlook is positive but I'll give it all the boosts I can lol x
 
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