
This is done by calculating the force needed to send plasma (the liquid part of blood) down a thin tube in a given time. Plasma viscosity is another test which measures the thickness (or ‘viscosity’) of blood. CRP is released quickly at the start of infections or inflammatory conditions. One of these proteins is call C-reactive protein (CRP). The body produces proteins as part of the normal response to infection or inflammation. What do inflammatory markers measure?ĬRP, PV and ESR each measure inflammation in the blood in slightly different ways. The three most commonly used inflammatory markers are called C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and plasma viscosity (PV). This can include infections, auto-immune conditions and cancers.

Inflammatory markers are blood tests used by doctors to detect inflammation in the body, caused by many diseases. In this blog she answers commonly asked questions about these blood tests.
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This correlation may be useful for anticipating the need for repeat plasmapheresis.Jessica Watson is a GP who has done a PhD on inflammatory marker blood tests. Serum viscosity and electrophoresis are recommended before and after plasmapheresis in order to correlate viscosity and M-spike with patient symptoms. Hyperviscosity syndrome can also occur in multiple myeloma patients.īecause the ability of a monoclonal protein to cause hyperviscosity is affected by its concentration, molecular weight, and aggregation, sera with concentrations of monoclonal IgM greater than 4 g/dL, IgA greater than 5 g/dL, or IgG greater than 6 g/dL should be tested for hyperviscosity. The most common cause of serum hyperviscosity is the presence of large concentrations of IgM monoclonal proteins, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia accounts for 80% to 90% of hyperviscosity cases. Funduscopic examination reveals dilation of retinal veins and flame shaped retinal hemorrhages.

Hyperviscosity may be manifested by nasal bleeding, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, nystagmus, deafness, diplopia, ataxia, paresthesias, or congestive heart failure. Viscosity is the property of fluids to resist flow.
