C-Reactive Protein (Crp) Test: Uses, Side Effects, And Results

The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood examination that assesses your blood’s level of CRP. The liver makes the protein CRP in reaction to inflammation. A healthy immune system reaction to damage or illness is inflammation. CRP levels, however, may be increased if you have an inflammatory disorder like rheumatoid arthritis.

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The CRP test finds inflammation in the body and keeps track of illnesses including Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it can keep track of how well certain illnesses are being treated.

In other diseases like infections, cancer, and heart disease, CRP levels can also be raised. It’s not a given that you have one of these illnesses if your CRP level is elevated. To identify the source of your elevated CRP level, more testing may be required.

A full blood count is typically ordered along with the CRP test (CBC). A normal blood test called a CBC determines the number of different cells and chemicals in your blood. To identify or track inflammatory diseases, the CRP test is frequently requested in conjunction with other tests including the white blood cell count (WBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate).

A quick blood test is used to measure CRP. You get a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm, which is then sent to a facility for testing. The CRP test results are typically ready in a few days.

If you experience symptoms of an inflammatory illness, such as joint pain or swelling, your doctor could advise getting a CRP test. Additionally, if you have a family history of inflammation, the test may be mandated.

C-Reactive Protein (Crp) Test

A CRP test measures the level of CRP in your blood. CRP is a protein that’s produced by your liver and it’s found in greater amounts in your blood during inflammation, such as after an injury or infection.

CRP tests are used to:

1. Inflammation levels should be watched in persons with inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Find bodily inflammation that might be connected to heart disease.

3. Check for myocardial infarction, a form of heart attack (MI)

4. To gain a complete picture of your health, CRP testing is typically ordered in conjunction with other tests like a complete blood count (CBC).

Although a high level of CRP in your blood may indicate inflammation, it does not always indicate that you have a specific condition. The following illnesses and disorders can result in elevated CRP levels:

• Infection
• Cancer
• Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks or strokes
• Chronic inflammatory conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Pregnancy

A CRP test isn’t used to diagnose a specific condition and your doctor will likely order other tests and use your medical history to make a diagnosis.

CRP tests are generally safe but there’s a small risk of bruising or bleeding at the needle site and if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners, your doctor may order a different test.

C-Reactive Protein (Crp) Test Side Effects

The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test may cause some minor side effects, including:

1. Mild discomfort or pain at the injection site

2. Redness or swelling at the injection site

These side effects should resolve on their own within a few days. If they persist or worsen, please get in touch with your doctor. 

C-Reactive Protein (Crp) Test Results and What They Mean

CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation and a CRP test measures the level of CRP in your blood.

High levels of CRP can be a sign of conditions such as:

• Infection
• Cancer
• Autoimmune disorders
• Chronic inflammatory diseases

CRP test results are given in milligrams per liter (mg/L) and the normal range for CRP is 0 to 3 mg/L. A high level of CRP is anything over 10 mg/L.

If your CRP test results are high, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have one of the above-mentioned conditions and other things that can cause high CRP levels including:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• Advanced age

If you have a high CRP level, your doctor will likely order additional tests to determine the cause and these may include blood tests for autoimmune disorders and infections and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI.

Conclusion

A CRP test is a blood examination that gauges your blood’s CRP content. Your liver makes the protein CRP in reaction to inflammation. Infections, wounds, and other diseases can all result in inflammation. Your blood’s elevated CRP concentration could indicate inflammation. Heart disease, arthritis, and cancer problems can all be identified and monitored with the aid of a CRP test. If a CRP test is appropriate for you, discuss this with your doctor.

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