• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic rheumatologist

    April Chang-Miller, M.D.

    read biography

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Question

Fibromyalgia: Can it cause elevated ESR and CRP levels?

I have fibromyalgia. Whenever my rheumatologist does blood tests, I'm told that I have elevated ESR and CRP levels. What's the significance of these test results?

Answer

from April Chang-Miller, M.D.

An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or a high level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood may indicate inflammation somewhere in your body. However, it's not likely related to your fibromyalgia, since fibromyalgia isn't an inflammatory condition. Various conditions can cause elevated ESR and CRP levels, including:

  • Infection
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cancer

To better understand the clinical significance of your elevated ESR and CRP levels, consult your doctor.

Next question
Milnacipran (Savella) for fibromyalgia: What makes it different?
References
  1. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate): The test. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/esr/test.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
  2. CRP (C-reactive protein): The test. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/test.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
  3. Fibromyalgia: What is it? American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/fibromyalgia.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
  4. Goldenberg DL. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of fibromyalgia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2010.
AN01891 Sept. 21, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger