***BLOOD TESTS - HELP NEEDED- VERY IMPORTANT***

[djhaycock]

So, I'm going in to see the Doc this Thursday to find out if I have colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, crohn's or just plain old 'roids. The bad news is that my family history does not bode well for me.

Most likely I'll be ordered to get a colonoscopy and some bloodwork to find out if I have blood markers for colitis or crohn's disease.

Knowing all of this going in, I'm gonna ask for a full blood screen worked up. Besides my cholesterol and triglycerides what other markers should I asked to get checked? I believe I've read about the C-Reactive Protein as an indicator of cardiac disease, does that make sense?

I really want to have everything worked up so once I know the full diagnosis, I can get my life back on track and make all of the appropriate adjustments.

I thank you all in advance for any advice that is offered.

[James Newman]

If I were guessing, your Doc will probably get a CBC (complete blood count) a CMP (comprehensive metabolic panel), Lipid Panel (fasting). Those will be a good starting point to determine any anemia (most often the result of internal bleeding). They will probably also want a stool sample to check for blood and leukocytes (white blood cells). There are a couple of different tests and radiological things they may look at. Most of the physicians I work with don't do a Cardiac series unless they need to as the Troponin, CK, etc are most useful when ruling out an MI, associated angina. But it is certainly something you could talk about. But you're right, cCRP is one of the markers used for cardiac risk and has been advocated by the American Heart Association if you score at a certain level on their Risk Assessment. I am sure your physician will cover all the bases. Ask any questions you have about tests, procedures, etc and they will take care of you....

Newman

[bryanc]

What do you mean by "full blood workup"? Specifically for Crohn's, or UC? Or just general screening blood work?

How old are you? And have you ever had any screening tests before?

I don't know of any physicians (up here anyways) that would order a CRP as a measure of cardiac risk--unless you were actively having chest pain. And even then, we rarely order it anymore, since there are so many things that can give you an elevated CRP.

[James Newman]

Originally Posted by bryanc

What do you mean by "full blood workup"? Specifically for Crohn's, or UC? Or just general screening blood work?

How old are you? And have you ever had any screening tests before?

I don't know of any physicians (up here anyways) that would order a CRP as a measure of cardiac risk--unless you were actively having chest pain. And even then, we rarely order it anymore, since there are so many things that can give you an elevated CRP.

A couple of years ago....down here for whatever reason the AHA got on this big cCRP bandwagon. It has trickled down, I think, to their literature and then to the public. Here, unless he is having pain, I think they would just do the CBC, CMP, and stool. But you may know better than I.

Newman

[djhaycock]

Originally Posted by bryanc

What do you mean by "full blood workup"? Specifically for Crohn's, or UC? Or just general screening blood work?

My mother had ulcerative colitis for many years until 2005 when she had an ileostomy performed. She told me that they will screen for OC and Crohn's markers in the blood. I guess they are indicators similar to cholesterol??

How old are you?

28

And have you ever had any screening tests before?

No

I don't know of any physicians (up here anyways) that would order a CRP as a measure of cardiac risk--unless you were actively having chest pain. And even then, we rarely order it anymore, since there are so many things that can give you an elevated CRP.

I'm sorry, I didn't fully clarify the reasoning behind this. My paternal grandfather (quadruple bypass, died from stroke and blood complications/disease), my father (quadruple bypass) and my maternal grandmother (valve replacement x 2) have all had cardiac related issues.

I'd like to have everything worked up so I can begin to tackle everything. Might be overkill, but I'd like to know just what I'm up against.

[bryanc]

I think just giving your doc the history will be enough for him/her to figure out which tests are appropriate at this time. Likely a lipid panel, your blood pressure and _maybe_ an ECG.

But with that family history, I think you already know what you're up against. The only thing a blood test is going to tell you is whether you need to pay attention right now, or right _now_. Either way, the emphasis is on the "now".