A C-reactive protein test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in blood. C-reactive protein is a protein made by the liver. The liver releases CRP into your bloodstream in response to inflammation. Inflammation is the body's way of protecting tissues if one has been injured or has an infection. It can cause pain, redness, and swelling within the injured or affected area. Some autoimmune disorders and chronic diseases also can cause inflammation. Normally, the body has low levels of c-reactive protein in your blood.
The CRP test is a blood test that measures the level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in a person's blood. This test helps diagnose and monitor several different causes of inflammation, such as infections and certain autoimmune conditions. The CRP test is also used to screen for coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries of your heart are narrowed.
Purpose of the CRP blood test
- If somebody has signs of inflammation like fever, chills, redness or flushing, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, or a rapid heartbeat, should consider whether he may have an infection.
- Help in the treatment of sepsis, a potentially fatal condition where the body's reaction to a bacterial infection results in widespread inflammation.
- Keep track of autoimmune diseases with a history of chronic inflammation, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
The CRP test also identifies
- Allergic reaction
- Asthma
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Bacterial infection
- Bronchitis
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Connective tissue disease
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Major trauma
- Pancreatitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Pneumonia
- Fungal infections
- Vascular diseases
- Viral infections
Know the Levels
- 6 mg/L (0.3 mg/dL) or less: healthy people's normal CRP range
- (0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL) 3 to 10 mg/L: moderate to typical inflammation (this CRP range is often seen in people who are obese, pregnant, smoke, or have issues like diabetes or the common cold)
- Between 10 and 100 mg/L: autoimmune disease, bronchitis, pancreatitis, heart attack, cancer, or another condition that causes widespread inflammation
- In excess of 100 mg/L (10 mg/dL): acute bacterial infections, acute viral infections, systemic vasculitis, or significant trauma, among other causes, can induce substantial whole-body inflammation.
- 500 mg/L or above (50 mg/dL): severe bacterial infections are the most common cause of widespread, severe inflammation.
A high-sensitivity (hs) CRP test is occasionally mistaken for a standard CRP test. Despite the fact that they both measure CRP, they are utilized to identify various diseases. A high-sensitivity (hs) CRP test is used to determine the risk of developing coronary artery disease. For an accurate diagnosis, reach out to us at +91 (79) 4900 6800 or visit www.unipath.in for more information. Unipath specialty laboratory provides home sample collection also for your convenience.