CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Test

CRP Test Details
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What is a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test? 

The C-reactive protein (CRP) test analyses the presence of CRP in theblood. CRP is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, and it can rise inresponse to inflammatory conditions including infection, trauma, theheart, and autoimmune diseases. Other tests are performed along with CRPto diagnose a particular condition and determine its location. It alsohelps to monitor the treatment's post-infection and inflammation.

During the previous wave of pandemics, it was seen that people withelevated levels of CRP showed a many-fold increase in the risk ofdeveloping severe COVID infection. Hence, getting tested for CRP duringCOVID infection and recovery can be crucial to identifying the risk ofsevere disease.

What are the other names for a CRP (C-Reactive Protein)test? 

Other names are: CRP Quantitative, CRP Qualitative, CRP Test.

What are the test parameters included in a CRP (C-Reactive Protein)test?

There is only one parameter: C-Reactive Protein.

What does a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test measure?

The C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein created or produced by theliver. These CRP levels in the blood increase when there is a conditionthat causes inflammation somewhere in the body. A CRP test analyses theamount of CRP in the blood to detect inflammation due to acute conditionsor to monitor the severity of disease in chronic conditions.

The CRP test is a non-specific indicator of inflammation and one of themost sensitive acute phase reactants. That means it is released into thebloodstream within a few hours after the injury, the start of aninfection, or other cause of inflammation. These markedly increased levelscan occur, for example, after the trauma of a heart attack; with active oruntreated autoimmune disorders; and with serious bacterial infections,such as sepsis. The levels of CRP can increase as much as a thousand-foldin the response to bacterial infection, and its increase in the blood canprecede pain, fever, or other signs and symptoms.

The CRP test is not diagnostic but provides information to yourhealthcare practitioner as to whether inflammation is present withoutidentifying the source of the inflammation. This information may be usedin conjunction with other factors such as signs and symptoms, physicalexaminations, and other tests to evaluate if you have any acuteinflammatory conditions or are experiencing a flare-up of this chronicinflammatory disease. The healthcare practitioner may then do thefollow-up with further testing and treatment.

The standard CRP test is not to get confused with the hs-CRP test. Theseare two different tests that analyse CRP, and each test detects adifferent range of CRP levels in the blood. for different purposes.

1. The standard CRP test analyses high levels of the protein observed indiseases that cause significant inflammation. It detects CRP in therange of 8 to 1000 mg/L (or 0.8 to 100 mg/dL).
2. The hs-CRP test precisely finds the lower levels of the protein thanthat which is analysed by the standard CRP test and is used toevaluate individuals for risk of cardiovascular disease. It measuresCRP in the range of 0.3 to 10 mg/L.

What’s the normal range? 

 Less than 1.0 mg/L.

Who should get a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test? 

If your doctor suspects you might have an inflammatory disorder likearthritis, cancer, an infection, etc., they may order a C-reactive protein(CRP) test. This test can show there’s a high level of inflammation, butit cannot show where the inflammation is located or what might be causingit. If you have been previously diagnosed with an inflammatory issue, yourdoctor may also order this test occasionally to see how your treatment isworking and if the issue is being properly managed.

It’s important to note that the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) test is a slightly different test than a regular C-reactionprotein test. This test typically predicts heart disease and strokes. Andwhile the regular C-reactive test can help to uncover different diseasesthat cause inflammation by measuring high levels of protein, the hs-CRPtest measures a lower (but still elevated) amount of protein, which cansignal the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Your doctor may order an HS-CRP if they’re focusing on cardiovascularissues.

CRP and heart disease

When you consider all risk factors, people with CRP levels greater thanor equal to 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) may need more intensive measuresto prevent cardiovascular disease. The elevated levels of CRP may have animportant role in identifying people who may need closer follow-up or moreintensive treatment after heart attacks or any heart procedures.

CRP levels might also be very useful in identifying people at risk ofheart disease when cholesterol levels alone may not be helpful. These areconsidered risk factors for developing heart disease:

1. Diabetes
2. High blood pressure
3. High cholesterol
4. Smoking
5. A low-nutrient diet higher in fat and refined carbohydrates
6. Physical inactivity
7. Heavy alcohol use
8. Overweight and obesity

Preparations Needed for the CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?

There is no preparation for this test. Fasting is not required.

What is the type of sample required?

This test requires a blood sample.

Who performs a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?

A healthcare provider, who is also called a phlebotomist, usuallyperforms blood draws, including those for a C-Reactive protein bloodtest, but any healthcare provider trained in drawing blood can performthis task. The samples are sent to a lab where a medical laboratoryscientist prepares the samples and performs the tests on analysers or manually.

What should I expect during my CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?

You can expect the experience the following during a blood test orblood draw:

You will have to sit comfortably on the chair, and a healthcareprovider will check your arms for an easily accessible vein. This isthe inner part of your arm on the other side of your elbow.

Once they have located a vein, they will clean and disinfect thearea with an alcohol swab.

Then they will insert a small needle into your vein to draw a bloodsample. This might feel like a small pinch.

After they have inserted the needle, the required amount of bloodwill collect in a test tube.

Once they have collected enough blood to test, they’ll remove theneedle and hold a cotton ball or gauze on the site to stop anybleeding.

They will put a band-aid over the pricked site, and the bloodcollection is finished.

This process takes less than five minutes.

What should I expect after my CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?

After a healthcare provider has collected the blood sample, they willsend it to a laboratory for testing. Once the test results are ready,your healthcare provider will share the results with you.

What are the risks of a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?

These blood tests are very common and don’t carry any significantrisks. You may have a slight pain like an ant bite when the needlegets inserted, and a small bruise may develop there.

When can I expect my CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test results?

These reports are available via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours of thecollection of the blood sample.

What do the results of a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test mean?

Interpreting test results

The test result is the level of CRP in your blood. Depending on thelaboratory’s standards, the result is expressed in milligrams perdeciliter (mg/dL) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). The report mightindicate that the level is high, low, or normal.

Although the “normal” CRP levels may vary from lab to lab, it isgenerally accepted that a value of 0.8-1.0 mg/dL (or 8-10 mg/L) or loweris normal. Healthy adults have CRP levels lower than 0.3 mg/dL.

A minor elevation in CRP levels, generally 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL, does notnecessarily mean you have an illness that requires treatment. CRP levelsmay be higher in females, patients on hormone replacement therapy, andthose with a high body mass index. A mildly elevated CRP can beassociated with insomnia and depression. Your doctor will consider allthese factors when interpreting your CRP test result.

A CRP level higher than 1.0 mg/dL suggests to you that there isinflammation in your body, but it does not identify the causes or thelocation of the inflammation. Very high levels of CRP can be associatedwith several types of infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers, andconditions that affect the lungs or pancreas. If the CRP level is inthis range, your doctor may recommend additional tests to get moreinformation before making a diagnosis.

This is because of variations in laboratory methods and referenceranges. The best thing is to consult with your physician for clarityabout your results.

What are normal CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test results?

Less than 1.0 mg/dL.

What are the other tests done along with this test?

HSCRP test, CKMB test , Troponin I test , and ESR test.

How do I book a CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test at home?

Log into towww.orangehealth.in and submit your details. Our highly trained, professional, and vaccinated eMedics will be at your doorstep within 60 minutes or at the time booked by you.

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