CRP and anemia: Blood tests (Table 1 - time 1) showed mild normocytic/normochromic anemia (hemoglobin: 11.2 g/dL), thrombocytosis (platelets: 551 G/L), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, 41 mm/h), C-reactive protein (CRP, 1.8 mg/dL), negative anti-citrullinate protein antibody (ACPA), and a high level of RF (445 IU/mL; normal range: <20 IU/mL).