C Reactive Protein Quantitative Blood

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test measures the levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the blood. This test helps to identify the presence of any inflammatory disorders or infections in the body.

What is C- Reactive Protein (CRP)?

CRP is a protein produced in the liver. It is released into the bloodstream in response to inflammation due to infections, tissue injury or any other diseased conditions. High levels of CRP in the blood indicate injury/inflammation within the body.

Why this test is performed?

This test is used to determine the presence of inflammation in the body. Your doctor may ask to perform this test in case of serious bacterial or fungal infections, bone infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease, an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, or any inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, etc.

This test may also be performed to monitor the response in individuals receiving treatment for inflammatory disorders. Sometimes your doctor may advise you to perform this test along with an Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test to detect the presence of inflammation. However, this test is not a general marker for inflammation or infection. Your doctor may ask you to perform other tests along with this test to rule out the exact cause for the inflammation.

How often this test is performed?

The individuals who are diagnosed with an inflammatory disorder such as arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, or inflammatory bowel disease may have to perform this test on a regular basis or as instructed by the doctor.

If the test result falls in the normal reference range generally no medical intervention is necessary.

High levels of CRP than the normal range may indicate the presence of inflammation in the body. This test does not rule out the exact location or the cause of inflammation. Individuals with increased CRP levels are suspected to have a serious bacterial or fungal infection, osteomyelitis (bone infection), an inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, or any inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, etc.

Other reasons that could raise your CRP levels are obesity, pregnancy, use of birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy. Increased levels of CRP in individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions receiving treatment depicts a poor response to treatment.

Normally, CRP levels in the blood are low. Decreased levels of CRP in individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions or infections receiving treatment depicts a response to treatment.

However, if you have higher or lower than normal levels of CRP in blood consult your doctor for further instructions. Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.