This is topic My C4a was 58,020 in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
 
...on a scale of 0-2,830.

I guess I'm a little inflamed.

I increased my fish oil and liposomal glutathione, and added ecklonia cava. In one day, my hip pain has resolved.

This is what happens when you get sloppy with your supplements. So ashamed...

Anyone else bring down a high C4a? I retest in 4 weeks.
 

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Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
 
You win the prize, I think.
 

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Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
 
OMG - Feelfit posted once with a 40,000 number or something. You won this one hands down. That's a crazy high number. Mine was 12,000 or so.
 

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Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
 
Is it true that a C4a indicates infection? Or just inflammation?


I'm thinking of asking for this test just to see where my number falls. I feel like a blowtorch right now.
 

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Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
 
Can be Lyme, infections OR mold poisoning.
 

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Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
 
A dubious honor at best, Lou!

C4a is an inflammatory marker that rises in the presence of infection, both acute and chronic. Dr. S in CA has done some research into using the CD57 and C4a as indicators of Lyme.

C4a is also high in Diabetes, a chronic condition with lots of inflammation.

That was interesting to me, because glucose intolerance has been a major problem for me. Maybe my sugar handling will improve if I get my inflammation down.
 

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Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
 
Hambone - I think you should be a superhero - The Human Blowtorch.

You still crack me up.


 

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Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
 
Sorry for the multiple questions,

but how is it different than a SED rate?

My SED rate last month was 46.
 

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Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
 
SED rate measures inflammation by measuring how fast red blood cells settle out of plasma. A high SED indicates a high number of clumped red blood cells which is indicative of inflammation.

The C4a is a biomarker of inflammation. The 'C' is for complement (a protein). I think there are 30 different complement proteins, and when they are induced, they start a 'complement cascade.' This should be self-limiting (turn itself off) when the inflammation is no longer useful. High C4a in a chronic condition indicates ongoing inflammation.

Basic info on SED: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/sedimentation-rate

Article on C4a and Lyme: http://www.lyme-disease-research-database.com/ginger-savely-transcript.html
 

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Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
 
Thanks Boxermom
 

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Posted by Loripink01 (Member # 23548) on :
 
Is the C4a the same as a "CRP" test? I know the CRP is an inflammatory marker also but wasn't sure of the differences. Thanks
 

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Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
 
Mine was 45,000 and went down to 750 (ish) after treating with IV Invanz for quite some time. I have always taken fish oil both before and after the high results.
 

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Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
 
WOW Feelfit, I had no idea it dropped to 750. Impressive to say the least. Maybe IV is my only hope!
 

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Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
 
Hubby has always had a normal Sed rate and Normal CRP. But the first time someone tested his C4a it was 17,744. At the time he did not have any muscle or joint pain or any real indicators of inflammation. Just remembered -- at the time I think he was having some gastritis type symptoms from his untreated bartonella.

This past December -- about 2 1/2 years later -- he repeated the test. This time it was within normal range at 1750 and he always complains that he feels like a truck ran over him in the night. His LLMD said that sounded like inflammation and is the way arthritis patients react -- but all blood markers for inflammation are normal so no one can explain his aches and stiffness.

I do think if any of these 3 tests -- sed rate, CRP or C4a -- are elevated there is probably inflammation in the body somewhere. But not sure that they always find low grade chronic inflammation.

I think actual acute infection is more likely to show as an elevated white blood count. Although some of the markers above may also be elevated.

Bea Seibert
 

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Posted by Hambone (Member # 29535) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by seibertneurolyme:
I think actual acute infection is more likely to show as an elevated white blood count.

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