C-reactive protein, or CRP, is a protein produced in the liver in response to inflammation. It is a marker of inflammation in the body and is often used to diagnose and manage inflammatory conditions. In this blog, we will explore what CRP is, what causes its levels to rise, how to test, and what level of CRP is dangerous.
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What is PCR?
What causes CRP levels to increase?
How to test CRP levels?
What can I expect from my PCR test?
What level of CRP is dangerous?
What does it mean to have a low CRP?
Should I be worried if my CRP number is abnormal?
Which doctor is best for PCR?
People also ask
What is PCR?
CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It is part of the body’s natural defense mechanism against infections and injuries. CRP levels increase rapidly in response to inflammation and can be used to monitor the progress of inflammation. CRP levels can be elevated in a wide range of conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
What causes CRP levels to increase?
CRP levels can be elevated in response to a wide range of conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Infections can cause a rapid rise in CRP levels and the level of CRP in the blood can be used to monitor the progress of the infection. Autoimmune diseases can cause chronic increases in CRP levels and the level of CRP in the blood can be used to monitor disease activity.
How to check CRP levels?
CRP levels can be measured in the blood using a simple blood test. The test measures the amount of CRP in the blood and results are reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L). The test can be performed in a laboratory or at home using a home PCR test kit.
Doctors often use the C-reactive protein (CRP) test to help diagnose or rule out various conditions, such as
Bacterial or fungal infections.
inflammatory bowel disease
Osteomyelitis
Arthritis
Autoimmune diseases
Pelvic inflammatory disease
It is also used to monitor people after surgery or invasive procedures to check for infections during their recovery. The PCR test cannot solely diagnose a condition or identify the location of inflammation, so additional testing is usually ordered. A doctor may order a PCR test if an individual presents symptoms of a serious bacterial infection, such as
Fever
Shaking chills
Fast breathing
Fast heart rate
Nausea and vomiting
Additionally, PCR tests can be used to monitor treatment progress in people with an infection or chronic inflammatory condition. If CRP levels decrease, it indicates that the treatment is working and the inflammation is decreasing.
What can I expect from my PCR test?
The following can be anticipated during a blood test or blood draw:
The doctor will examine your arms for easily accessible veins while you sit in a chair.
After finding a vein, they will clean and disinfect the area.
They will then use a small syringe to draw blood from a vein in your arm. It may feel like a small pain.
A small amount of blood will collect in a test tube after the needle is inserted.
They will take out the needle and hold a cotton ball or something similar to stop the bleeding once they have enough blood for the test.
It will be over after you cover the wound with a cloth.
Typically, the entire process takes less than five minutes.
How much CRP level is dangerous?
CRP levels can vary widely depending on the underlying condition causing the inflammation. Generally, a CRP level less than 10 mg/L is considered normal. CRP levels between 10 and 100 mg/L indicate mild to moderate inflammation, while levels above 100 mg/L indicate severe inflammation.
However, it is important to note that a high CRP level does not necessarily mean that a serious underlying condition exists. For example, a high level of CRP may be seen in response to a minor infection or injury. In contrast, a normal CRP level does not rule out the possibility of an underlying condition.
Moderate elevation
A PCR test result between 1.0 and 10.0 mg/dL is generally considered a moderately elevated amount. This result could mean any of the conditions listed below:
Systemic inflammation is caused by autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, or other disorders.
Heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Pancreatitis
Bronchitis
Marked elevation
More than 10 mg/dL in CRP measurement is generally considered a marked elevation. This result could mean any of the circumstances listed below:
Acute bacterial diseases
Viral infections.
Systemic vasculitis.
Serious injury (trauma).
severe elevation
An elevated CRP level of more than 50 mg/dL is generally considered serious. Approximately 90% of the time, results above 50 mg/L are related to acute bacterial illnesses.
What does it mean to have a low CRP?
There is no such thing as a low level of CRP, as the normal level of CRP is generally less than 0.9 mg/dL. If a previous high CRP result has decreased, it indicates that the inflammation is decreasing and/or that the treatment for the inflammation is effective.
Should I be worried if my PCR number is abnormal?
Even if your CRP levels are only slightly elevated, having high amounts of CRP does not always indicate a medical condition that requires treatment. Your CRP levels may increase due to a number of variables, including smoking, recent injuries, and specific medical conditions. Additionally, there may have been an error in the collection, delivery, or processing of the exam.
Your healthcare provider will review your findings with you if they are abnormal. To find out why your CRP values are abnormal, you may be ordered to have more tests.
Which doctor is best for PCR?
When assessing levels of inflammation using blood tests such as CRP and antibody testing, rheumatologists also take into account physical symptoms and imaging results, such as X-rays and MRIs. Therefore, rheumatologists are among the doctors best equipped to interpret CRP results and diagnose inflammation-related conditions.
