Elevated D Dimer...back pain?????

[brownieccs]

I have had an elevated  D Dimer for a while now...not sure what this means, but it was 1.2 last week....normal is .2 to .5. Is this significant enough to worry about a blood clot???? I have had a chest CT that was normal....several chest X rays...but I have undiagnosed back pain for over a year now. Should I be worried? My rib cage/back is very sore and tender to touch...this is all external pain. Would the D dimer and back pain be related? Could the d dimer be elevated because of inflammation in my back and shoulder blades? I am just so worried about this...but my doctor doesn't seem to be. And he is the expert, right?

[brownieccs]

Thanks for the response...but I have seen a neurologist and orthopedist. Had MRI of head, neck, C, L, and T spine. All normal. I truly feel hopeless about the pain...but now the D Dimer is worrying me. I am scheduled for a bone scan. I guess the D Dimer is elevated because of the inflammation in my back and ribs....but what is causing it?? I am on 34...I shouldn't be hurting like this. Not pregnant...just had a baby 9 months ago. The day I had the blood work drawn, my spince was very sore. Hurt to touch it...felt swollen but it wasn't. No rash....not sure how I would know if it was shingles without the rash. ALL bloodwork was normal except d dimer.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
An elevated D-dimer test apart from indicating a clot in the body could also be high due to recent surgery, trauma, infection, liver disease, pregnancy, eclampsia, (maybe last two ruled out in your case—unless you are pregnant which given your history of tests you may not be) heart disease, and some cancers. An elevated D-dimer alone is not significant. It needs to be followed up with other tests.
Yes, chronic inflammation can affect its levels. Since you have so much pain and tenderness, consult an orthopedic specialist to rule out spine disease. Pinched nerve or wrong posture could also be a cause. At times shingles can persist with only pain without a rash. You may even need a neurological consultation and a MRI of affected spine.
Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Take care!