CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative

Also known as CRP test, CRP blood test

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred.

Understanding CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative

What is CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative?

A CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative test is a simple blood test that measures the level of CRP, a protein produced by the liver, in the body. Normally, the CRP levels in the blood are low; however, these levels increase if you have inflammation in the body. High CRP levels may indicate conditions like arthritis, infection, and injury.

C-reactive protein (CRP) serves as an early marker of inflammation or infection. This protein is produced in the liver and is normally found at concentrations lower than 10 mg/L in the blood. However, during infectious or inflammatory disease states, CRP levels rise rapidly within the first 6 to 8 hours. When the inflammation or tissue injury subsides, CRP levels also decrease, making it a useful marker for monitoring disease progression. The test however does not show the exact location or the possible cause of the inflammation.

Moderately to severely elevated CRP levels may be a sign of possible infections, particularly after surgery or other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). High levels of CRP may also be due to genetics, exposure to environmental toxins, the use of birth control pills, and during pregnancy. If you have a previously diagnosed inflammatory condition, your doctor may advise this test occasionally to see how your treatment is working, and if the issue is being properly managed.

Usually, overnight fasting (8-12 hours) is preferred for this test. Do not eat or drink anything, except water, before the test. Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help the doctor determine your medical condition, make recommendations to manage your overall health, and formulate your treatment plan.

What is CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative used for?

A CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative test is done:

To check for bacterial or viral infections if you have symptoms such as fever, chills, redness, swelling, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, and/or rapid heart rate.
To detect and monitor the flare-ups of autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), etc.
To assess the treatment efficacy of chronic inflammatory conditions.
To check for sepsis, a serious life-threatening medical emergency resulting from the body's extreme response to an infection.

What does CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative measure?

A CRP test measures the levels of CRP protein in your body. This test helps detect the presence of inflammation in the body. It is a non-specific test as it cannot diagnose a condition by itself or determine its exact location or cause.

CRP is an acute phase reactant protein that is produced by the liver in response to an inflammation in the body. This inflammation may be due to tissue injury, infection, autoimmune diseases, or cancer. CRP levels are often increased before the onset of other symptoms of inflammation such as pain, redness, fever, or swelling. These levels fall as the inflammation subsides.

Interpreting CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative results

Interpretations

Normal CRP level: Below 10 mg/L

Higher CRP levels than the normal range indicate the presence of an inflammation which may be caused by an infection, trauma, autoimmune diseases, cancers, etc.

The CRP Test is used to detect the presence of an inflammatory condition. Other tests and physical examinations are performed to diagnose a particular condition.

CRP levels are monitored at regular intervals to determine flare-ups in a chronic inflammatory condition, as well as to monitor response to treatment.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative

Frequently Asked Questions about CRP (C-Reactive Protein) - Quantitative

Q. What are the common symptoms of high CRP levels?

Some of the common symptoms of high CRP levels include pain, muscle weakness, stiffness or soreness, unexplained tiredness, low-grade fever, headaches, chills, insomnia, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. However, if the CRP levels are severely increased, the person may experience severe headaches, body pain, sweating, chills or shaking, high-grade fever, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, breathing difficulty, rapid heart rate, severe muscle stiffness or soreness, etc.

Q. What factors can affect the CRP levels in blood?

Blood CRP levels can be affected by certain medications, such as birth control pills, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or hormone-replacement therapy (HRT); conditions like obesity, diabetes, pregnancy; or activities like smoking, alcohol consumption, heavy exercise, etc.

Q. What additional tests can be prescribed by the doctor in case the result of the CRP test is not normal?

Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal CRP test results are the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test, rheumatoid factor (RF) test, and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP Antibody) test.

Q. What are chronic inflammatory diseases?

Chronic inflammatory diseases are conditions that lead to the development of long-lasting or frequently recurring inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Q. How can I naturally reduce my CRP levels?

Always consult your doctor if your CRP levels are high. However, some lifestyle modifications such as making healthy food choices, adding fiber- and vitamin-rich foods to your daily diet, exercising regularly to maintain healthy body weight, limiting alcohol intake and smoking, and managing stress may help reduce your CRP levels.

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References

Bakri Hassan A, Rönnelid J, Gunnarsson I, Karlsson G, Berg L, Lundberg I. Increased serum levels of immunoglobulins, C-reactive protein, type 1 and type 2 cytokines in patients with mixed connective tissue disease. J Autoimmun. 1998. [Accessed 29 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9802936/#:~:text=We%20conclude%20that%20MCTD%20patients,and%20type%202%20cytokine%20levels.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Blood Test. [Accessed 29 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/c-reactive-protein-CRP-blood-test

Nehring SM, Goyal A, Patel BC. C Reactive Protein. [Updated 2022 Jul 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Jan. 2023. [Accessed 29 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441843/

C-Reactive Protein (Blood) - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. www.urmc.rochester.edu. [Accessed 29 Mar. 2023]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=167&contentid=c_reactive_protein_serum