C-Reactive Protein (CRP) With UTSH

The C-reactive protein (CRP) test measures the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP is a type of protein that is associated with inflammation in the body. CRP is measured using a small blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.

Your doctor might order a CRP test if you have symptoms of inflammation. Doctors also use CRP levels to guide treatment of a bacterial infection or to monitor inflammatory processes that occur in some autoimmune diseases.

Purpose of the CRP test

Doctors measure CRP because it is a marker of inflammation, which is part of the body’s fight against illness or injury. Your doctor might order a CRP test to:

• Check for infection if you have symptoms of inflammation such as fever, chills, redness or flushing, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, and/or rapid heart rate
• Guide treatment of sepsis, a life-threatening complication where the body’s response to a bacterial infection triggers inflammation throughout the body
• Monitor flare-ups of a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• Assess the treatment of a chronic inflammatory condition

What does the test measure?

A C-reactive protein test measures the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP levels can reflect the presence and severity of inflammation in your body.

CRP is a protein produced by the liver. When bacteria or other cellular invaders threaten the body, the liver releases CRP into the bloodstream to help organize the body’s defenses. This early response is called an acute phase response. It is also referred to as inflammation or an inflammatory response. The acute phase response also can occur in chronic conditions, including some autoimmune diseases.

As an early responder, CRP is technically known as a positive acute phase reactant. Its level, measured from a blood sample, gives your doctor information about the presence of inflammation and how serious it is. However, CRP levels do not tell the doctor where in your body the inflammation is located or what is causing it.

High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) testing is a different form of testing that identifies very low concentrations of CRP. Although both tests measure CRP, hs-CRP is considered a separate test with distinct uses.

When should I have a C-Reactive Protein test?

CRP testing is done primarily to detect or monitor health conditions that are associated with inflammation. For example, a CRP test may be recommended if you have signs and symptoms of:

• Bacterial or viral infection
• Autoimmune disease, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• Minor inflammation associated with a range of issues such as smoking, diabetes, and physical trauma

There are not strict guidelines for when CRP testing is prescribed, so it is important to consult with your health care provider to determine if a CRP test is appropriate in your situation.