CRP Testing in Celiacs

[huttons16]

Hello!

I have recently been experiencing increased celiac symptoms. I am 26 and was diagnosed 16 years ago. I'm almost positive I have been experiencing cross-contamination due to eating out regardless of how careful I try and to be in the last few years. I don't always have immediate symptoms when I ingest gluten so it's hard to be sure but overall haven't been feeling great for a lot of 2022. 

Has anyone else had a test done for CRP levels? Mine came back at 12.2mg/L. The only symptoms are irregular bowel (yellowish common and appearing to not be digesting food super well) and I had 3 days of a fissure response but went away by itself quickly. Going back to the basics of ensuring a 100% gluten-free world has anyone else experienced their CRP levels drop or been in a similar situation?

I was negative for blood and WBC in stools, ferritin/iron normal, and both CBC and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel were all good as well. Calprotectin was borderline elevated but Dr. wasn't concerned about that. 

Thanks!

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, httons16!

As you may know, CRP is not specific for any particular inflammatory response but is a pretty general indicator of inflammation happening somewhere in the body. But with your calprotection being borderline high it gives cause for concern that the inflammation is in the GI track somewhere. Crohns and IBS are both more common in the celiac population than in the general population so something to think about.

Eating out should be avoided if at all possible since it is the #1 sabotager of gluten-free eating good intentions.

[huttons16]

  On 10/25/2022 at 8:09 PM, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, httons16!

As you may know, CRP is not specific for any particular inflammatory response but is a pretty general indicator of inflammation happening somewhere in the body. But with your calprotection being borderline high it gives cause for concern that the inflammation is in the GI track somewhere. Crohns and IBS are both more common in the celiac population than in the general population so something to think about.

Eating out should be avoided if at all possible since it is the #1 sabotager of gluten-free eating good intentions.

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Thanks for the welcome! Probably should've joined sooner since I'm so far into this hah! But that is good to know. We do have a colonoscopy upcoming, just trying to be prepared if there is going to be a worse diagnosis than where I already am. It is hard to keep stress down seeing changes in symptoms but at the same time, I don't have nearly close to what can be considered of a "severe" part of IBD. So just learning and getting educated on others' experiences with these tests. I know CRP can be crazy with other inflammation. I have severe Osteoarthritis as well in my knee due to injury. (Diagnosed as severe level when I was around 18-20) so there is known inflammation in the body and of course, known inflammation due to cross-contamination events. 

 

I did an anti-inflammatory diet for 4 weeks along with 8 weeks of no alcohol and my stools seemed to go back to 100% normal which is promising. As soon as I reverted to a non-focussed diet, re-increased eating out, and re-introduced alcohol there was another poor response in digestion. I know medical advice from my Dr and GI is the best, but nice to hear others as tests can be all over the place for x, y, and z reasons, especially since getting facetime/time to talk with Dr's more than a short apt. Any research you've seen also that another food allergy that can elevate that such as lactose, dairy, eggs, etc.? Trying to prevent further stress from increased googling, lol!

[trents]

Hearing about how you improved on an anti-inflammatory focused diet (FODMAP?) I would suggest researching MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and histamine intolerance. These two are closely related. In the meantime, you have some clues about triggers it seems like as you have experienced remission of symptoms on a focused diet. I cannot do alcohol. It triggers migraines.

[huttons16]

  On 10/25/2022 at 8:31 PM, trents said:

Hearing about how you improved on an anti-inflammatory focused diet (FODMAP?) I would suggest researching MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and histamine intolerance. These two are closely related. In the meantime, you have some clues about triggers it seems like as you have experienced remission of symptoms on a focused diet. I cannot do alcohol. It triggers migraines.

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It was the inflammation spectrum: https://drwillcole.com/the-inflammation-spectrum Not sure what/if it falls under FODMAP or one of the others. I didn't get to the reintroduction phase, so I didn't identify any other allergies going on. I have a history of eczema/skin issues as well so that is an interesting thing to look into as it has been heightened throughout the beginning of 2022.

Since having these elevated tests I have re-cut out alcohol altogether (about 5-6 days now) but I am experiencing stress that is causing no appetite due to fear. (Not an anti-inflammatory help 😅)

[Oldturdle]

  On 10/25/2022 at 8:45 PM, huttons16 said:

It was the inflammation spectrum: https://drwillcole.com/the-inflammation-spectrum Not sure what/if it falls under FODMAP or one of the others. I didn't get to the reintroduction phase, so I didn't identify any other allergies going on. I have a history of eczema/skin issues as well so that is an interesting thing to look into as it has been heightened throughout the beginning of 2022.

Since having these elevated tests I have re-cut out alcohol altogether (about 5-6 days now) but I am experiencing stress that is causing no appetite due to fear. (Not an anti-inflammatory help 😅)

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Hutton's 16, just know that stress can activate all kinds of GI symptoms.  

[huttons16]

  On 10/26/2022 at 3:44 PM, Oldturdle said:

Hutton's 16, just know that stress can activate all kinds of GI symptoms.  

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Yeah its definitely something I've been trying to get under control! Only in the mornings do I hear my stomach making noise, but has never been accompanied by any pain.

[Posterboy]

Hutton16 et Al,

I

  On 10/25/2022 at 7:46 PM, huttons16 said:

Hello!

I have recently been experiencing increased celiac symptoms. I am 26 and was diagnosed 16 years ago. I'm almost positive I have been experiencing cross-contamination due to eating out regardless of how careful I try and to be in the last few years. I don't always have immediate symptoms when I ingest gluten so it's hard to be sure but overall haven't been feeling great for a lot of 2022. 

Has anyone else had a test done for CRP levels? Mine came back at 12.2mg/L. The only symptoms are irregular bowel (yellowish common and appearing to not be digesting food super well) and I had 3 days of a fissure response but went away by itself quickly. Going back to the basics of ensuring a 100% gluten-free world has anyone else experienced their CRP levels drop or been in a similar situation?

I was negative for blood and WBC in stools, ferritin/iron normal, and both CBC and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel were all good as well. Calprotectin was borderline elevated but Dr. wasn't concerned about that. 

Thanks!

Expand Quote  

Hutton16 et Al,

I don't know if CRP is tracked/followed in Celiac disease or not......but I know it happens more than you might think?

It (Low CRP) is common in many other diseases.

I had High CRP and Low (Albumin) Serum levels at the time of my diagnosis.

After I began supplementing with Zinc and Magnesium my High CRP and Low Serum got better.

Celiac's have are low in  many vitamins and minerals at their diagnosis and often many years afterwards and why supplementation can be helpful to address these lingering Inflammation issues like High CRP levels etc.

I wrote a blog post post that expalins some of these issues with poor nutrition in Celiac disease.

At the time......I didn't know why I had elevated CRP levels but now I do.....I was low in Magnesium and Zinc and Thiamine and many of B-Vitamins as well!

Here is the research on Magnesium and Zinc and how they help High CRP levels.

Entitled "Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with serum C-reactive protein levels: meta-analysis and systematic review"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24518747/

See this one on Zinc and High CRP levels.

Entiteld "The Effects of Zinc Supplementation on C-Reactive Protein and Inflammatory Cytokines: A Meta-Analysis and Systematical Review"

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jir.2020.0209?journalCode=jir#:~:text=Zinc supplementation downregulates acute-phase reactants%2C especially serum C-reactive,%3D 0.10%2C mean difference%3A −0.85 (−1.86%2C 0.17)] (n %3D 3).

Where they note quoting

"It (Zinc) might have modulatory effects on cytokine secretions and blood cells in inflammatory and infectious diseases. For the first time, we investigated the effects of zinc supplementation on inflammatory cytokine."

Zinc deficiency also explains your elevated Calprotien levels.

See this thread on Zinc and Elevaed Calprotein that I recently started.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

2 Timothy 2:7  “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

Posterboy by the grace of God,

[huttons16]

  On 10/26/2022 at 10:45 PM, Posterboy said:

Hutton16 et Al,

I

Hutton16 et Al,

I don't know if CRP is tracked/followed in Celiac disease or not......but I know it happens more than you might think?

It (Low CRP) is common in many other diseases.

I had High CRP and Low (Albumin) Serum levels at the time of my diagnosis.

After I began supplementing with Zinc and Magnesium my High CRP and Low Serum got better.

Celiac's have are low in  many vitamins and minerals at their diagnosis and often many years afterwards and why supplementation can be helpful to address these lingering Inflammation issues like High CRP levels etc.

I wrote a blog post post that expalins some of these issues with poor nutrition in Celiac disease.

At the time......I didn't know why I had elevated CRP levels but now I do.....I was low in Magnesium and Zinc and Thiamine and many of B-Vitamins as well!

Here is the research on Magnesium and Zinc and how they help High CRP levels.

Entitled "Dietary magnesium intake is inversely associated with serum C-reactive protein levels: meta-analysis and systematic review"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24518747/

See this one on Zinc and High CRP levels.

Entiteld "The Effects of Zinc Supplementation on C-Reactive Protein and Inflammatory Cytokines: A Meta-Analysis and Systematical Review"

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jir.2020.0209?journalCode=jir#:~:text=Zinc supplementation downregulates acute-phase reactants%2C especially serum C-reactive,%3D 0.10%2C mean difference%3A −0.85 (−1.86%2C 0.17)] (n %3D 3).

Where they note quoting

"It (Zinc) might have modulatory effects on cytokine secretions and blood cells in inflammatory and infectious diseases. For the first time, we investigated the effects of zinc supplementation on inflammatory cytokine."

Zinc deficiency also explains your elevated Calprotien levels.

See this thread on Zinc and Elevaed Calprotein that I recently started.

I hope this is helpful but it is not medical advice.

2 Timothy 2:7  “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” this included.

Posterboy by the grace of God,

Expand Quote  

May I ask what your CRP level was at diagnosis?

I have been diagnosed for 16 years but that doesn't mean its under control after 16 years especially with mild symptoms I am experiencing could just be damage with my small intestine causing some digestive issues until it is back under control for a long period of time again. As well as some potential of big deficiencies. (I have seen a lot it take young adults/older people that are diagnosed later to show symptoms for months to years to feel better and back to "normal" as the body heals.)

This information you have read and shared is extremely helpful and informative, and yes fully understand not being medical advice. I haven't had a vitamin test or any of these other levels monitored during any of my blood tests in life so might be a good step to find out more for sure. 

I have a colonoscopy in 2 weeks as they are thinking it is Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) but it is odd that I only have 2 overlapping symptom with IBD other than the elevated levels and absolutely no pain or discomfort. 

Thanks again!