Super High ESR, Normal CRP - WTF? - PaleoHacks.com

Super High ESR, Normal CRP - WTF?

2011-07-25T13:43:36Z

Hey all. Been paleo for a few years, strict for the past 8 months. I have ankylosing spondylitis and have been working with Cordain's (and others') autoimmune protocol. I feel like paleo + my awesome strength and conditioning coach have helped reduce pain and inflammation over the past year. I've been able to cut my AS meds (Celebrex) by 75% and am more comfortable and active than I've been in years.

Last week I had a few tests run through my cardiologist and found out that my CRP (c-reactive protein) levels are normal (yay!), but my ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) was off the charts (boo...). I was very surprised. The upshot from my doctor's POV is that, regardless of lower superficial pain in my joints, this high level of systemic inflammation will burn out my heart, kidneys, lungs, eyes, etc, and needs to be treated aggressively in the short term to be put into remission. Although I'm fully on board with paleo and its anti-inflammatory powers, I have to admit that I'm a little worried by the test results.

How do you reconcile a seeming reduction in the outward expression of inflammation (pain, stiffness), with increasing internal markers?

Answer by grace for Super High ESR, Normal CRP - WTF?

2011-07-25T15:34:29Z

R--

Congrats with all the progress so far!

ALL health and health demise starts in the gut. You were on Celebrex and that drug like similar NSAIDs/COX2-I are disruptors of gut permeability and the microbiota. Have you had antibiotics? Any acid blockers to 'protect NSAID/celebrex induced risk' of peptic ulcers? These all cause gut dysbiosis allowing Klebsiella, a gut inhabitant, to cross into the blood stream and initiate an immune response and antibodies which are similiar to the proteins in spinal and joint proteins. Read: google 'Ebringer and HLA B27'.

Is your food digesting? Are you a hard gainer? Is the doc gonna repeat the ESR or rx based on an asymptomatic profile and just one lab test??

I would consider w/your doc 3 things first: (1) a focus on the gut, (2) removing immune complexes in circulation (takes 6-18 months -- using some enzymes e.g. seraptidase hastens) and (3) even consider evaluation of a heavy metal burden because even low levels of metals cause autoimmune disease and gut dysbiosis. Metals behave as metalloestrogens and the pathogenic bacteria and yeasts have estrogen receptors which can induce their growth.

I concur with Quilt -- the adrenals take a hit for multiple reasons. Get the adrenals in line.

These Amazonian miners have elevated inflammatory markers incl ANA and cytokines (no ESR measured) due to low level exposure of metal from seafood and mining exposures. If metals are positive for you, then for optimal health and 100% remission of AS, the consideration for oral, gentle and safe chelation cannot be exempted. http://iah.iec.pa.gov.br/iah/fulltext/pc/artigos/2010/environres2010v110n4p345-354.pdf http://www.sc.edu/news/newsarticle.php?nid=1470 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0041008X05003248

Answer by julianne for Super High ESR, Normal CRP - WTF?

2011-07-25T20:46:20Z

Are you doing the starch free version of auto-immune paleo for AS?

I've had great success with one client http://paleozonenutrition.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/auto-immune-disease-hla-b27-pain-free-on-no-starch-paleo-diet/

Answer by grace for Super High ESR, Normal CRP - WTF?

2011-07-25T22:26:55Z

From the Pottenger link:

Symptoms of mineral and vitamin deficiencies occur relatively quickly. They are recognised to cause specific illness. Enzyme deficiencies, outside of genetic or birth defects, take longer periods to be noticed and have only begun to be recognised in some circles of the medical community. What, then, are typical signs and symptoms of the more common enzyme deficiencies?

. If you have problems digesting carbohydrates, you may experience airborne sourced allergies, diarrhoea, fibromyalgia or attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD).

. If you cannot digest fats, you may experience constipation, gallbladder problems, heart disease or hormone imbalances.

. If you cannot adequately digest protein, you may experience constipation, arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, anxiety or panic attacks, premenstrual syndrome or immune system disorders.

. If you are unable to break down plant fibre, you may experience constipation, eczema or other skin-related problems, recurrent yeast/fungal infestations or excessive weight gain.