I have been reading about c-reactive protein being a marker for heart disease. I recently had the HSc- reactive protein done, my Dr. told me this shows inflamation in you heart and the c reactive in your body. Mine was a little high 4.1, normal is up to 3. I have read that if you have arthritis or any infection or inflamation you should not have either of these tests done because the readings wil be high.

Today we got a magazine and there is an article, written by a cardiologist, in it about c-reactive protein being a marker for heart disease, not the HS. Well I am confused, any of you have any info. seems like they are always changing their minds, first triglyerides, than cholestrol. than homoscytein, now this. Any ideas how to get the hsc-reactive protein down.

My Dr. did not even mention to me that mine was elevated and she does go over you blood work with you if anything is too out of range. I always ask for a copy and saw this flagged.

Thanks, Linda

I would try daily aspirin to the tune of at least 650 mg. (2 pills) or more. It is one of the best antiinflammatory agents we have.
This is not normal medical advice, but I think it is a good cheap thing to try.

Statin drugs will also lower hs-CRP (the more sensitive version of the CRP test) of course you wouldn't take them unless your cholesterol results warrant them.



Go with the aspirin for a while and see if that does the trick.

You might also try some folic acid.

I am already on foltx: 2.5 mgs folic acid
with b-6 and b-12, for two years,plus have been on 81 mgs. of aspirin for several years.

My real question is should you have this test done if you have arthritis, which I do. I had the hs done this time, last year I had the c-reactive and that was neg.
My Dr did not mention the test to me as she went over my results other than my white count was a little elevated, not even a point and she thought I had a sinus infection, my allergies were very bad.

The more you read the more you confused you get.

Thanks and have a wonderful holiday, Linda

Linda,

With rheumatoid arthritis, I'd imagine the CRP was nearly worthless, but with osteo, which is SUPPOSED to be non-inflammatory (but that's another story) the crp might yield info on cardiac risk.