C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test
What is a c-reactive protein (CRP) test?
A c-reactive protein test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood. CRP is a protein made by your liver. It’s sent into your bloodstream in response to inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting your tissues if you’ve been injured or have an infection. It can cause pain, redness, and swelling in the injured or affected area. Some autoimmune disorders and chronic diseases can also cause inflammation.
Normally, you have low levels of c-reactive protein in your blood. High levels may be a sign of a serious infection or other disorder.
Other names: c-reactive protein, serum
What is it used for?
A CRP test may be used to find or monitor conditions that cause inflammation. These include:
- Bacterial infections, such as sepsis, a severe and sometimes life-threatening condition
- A fungal infection
- Inflammatory bowel disease, a disorder that causes swelling and bleeding in the intestines
- An autoimmune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- An infection of the bone called osteomyelitis
Why do I need a CRP test?
You may need this test if you have symptoms of a serious bacterial infection. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
If you’ve already been diagnosed with an infection or have a chronic disease, this test may be used to monitor your treatment. CRP levels rise and fall depending on how much inflammation you have. If your CRP levels go down, it’s a sign that your treatment for inflammation is working.
What happens during a CRP test?
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This process usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
You don’t need any special preparations for a CRP test.
Are there any risks to the test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
If your results show a high level of CRP, it probably means you have some type of inflammation in your body. A CRP test doesn’t explain the cause or location of the inflammation. So if your results are not normal, your health care provider may order more tests to figure out why you have inflammation.
A higher than normal CRP level does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. There are other factors that can raise your CRP levels. These include cigarette smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Is there anything else I need to know about a CRP test?
A CRP test is sometimes confused with a high-sensitivity-(hs) CRP test. Although they both measure CRP, they are used to diagnose different conditions. A hs-CRP test measures much lower levels of CRP. It is used to check for risk of heart disease.
FAQ CRP Test
What is CRP test?
C–reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver. CRP levels in the blood increase when there is a condition causing inflammation somewhere in the body. A CRP test measures the amount of CRP in the blood to detect inflammation due to acute conditions or to monitor the severity of disease in chronic conditions.
What is crp test cost in India ?
In India CRP Test will cost around 200INR or even less. It depends on your location and lab. CRP Test price in Bhopal is 200₹ from various labs.
What is a normal CRP level?
For a standard CRP test, a normal reading is less than 10 milligram per liter (mg/L). A test result showing a CRP level greater than 10 mg/L is a sign of serious infection, trauma or chronic disease, which likely will require further testing to determine the cause.
What is a bad CRP level?
Here are what the results mean: hs-CRP level of lower than 1.0 mg/L — low risk of CVD (heart disease) hs-CRP level of 1.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L — moderate risk of CVD. hs-CRP level of more than 3.0 mg/L — high risk of CVD.
What foods should I avoid if my CRP is high?
For example, processed foods like fast food, frozen meals, and processed meats have been associated with higher levels of inflammatory markers like CRP ( 76, 77, 78 ).
What are The Best Foods for Fighting Inflammation ?
Fatty fish. Salmon, sardines, mackerel, and other types of fatty fish contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA that are good at fighting inflammation. …
Nuts. Fish aren’t the only sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. …
Extra virgin olive oil. …
Leafy greens. …
Cherries. …
Dark chocolate and cocoa.
What is the strongest natural anti inflammatory?
Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as cod, are among the most potent anti–inflammatory supplements. These supplements may help fight several types of inflammation, including vascular inflammation.
How can I reduce ESR and CRP?
Ways To Lower C Reactive Protein (CRP)
1) Address Any Underlying Health Conditions. CRP’s job is to increase in response to infection, tissue damage and inflammation. …
2) Exercise. …
3) Weight Loss. …
4) Balanced Diet. …
5) Alcohol in Moderation. …
6) Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation. …
7) Sexual Activity. …
8) Optimism.
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Related Health Topics
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Crohn’s Disease
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Lupus
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sepsis
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