Brief Answer:
High C-reactive protein

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. I've read your question and will be able to help add the following information.

The lab test, CRP, stands for C-reactive protein. This test is not capable by itself to tell doctors WHAT is going on in a body. It only indicates that there is an INFLAMMATORY REACTION afoot. In other words, when anyone has an infection somewhere, when someone has a tumor present which is active, when someone has something such as joint destruction going on such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, and even when someone has something such as fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis, or ANYTHING where the body is responding to an agent by "sending in the troops" or the immune system is being summoned to control a situation......well, the CRP can elevate.

The amount of the elevation can sometimes be helpful as it may indicate the INTENSITY and ACUITY of that immune response or it might not really even indicate that...depending on the individual. But it can never tell us exactly which of the above scenarios are playing out that I mentioned....if any of them.....sometimes elevated CRP can be found in a person (I have such a patient) without any evidence of an inflammatory reaction going on....and she's had this elevation for 20+ years....fit as a fiddle except for her narcolepsy which is well controlled.....but that's it....

Therefore, you should submit for the MRI if your doctor suspects a possible demyelinating process going on that could be multiple sclerosis or similar. May I suggest that you check with your doctor to be sure that with the scan you will be getting GADOLINIUM CONTRAST (IV XXXXXXX that is often done when looking for plaques of MS--- increases the sensitivity of the results as opposed to without). May I also suggest that he order a cervical spine as well.....if in fact, the suspicion for MS is high. That is because it is not infrequent to find someone with symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, etc. in their limbs and not have anything in the brain causing the problem but then, when we look at the neck....there are issues. I almost always do the cervical spine if the patient is complaining of symptoms in the limbs and I'm thinking MS.

Just a neurologist's perspective because I'm sure getting these tests done takes time for you and takes time to order and approve...may as well get the most done at the same time.

Cheers!

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This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.

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