C-Reactive Protein, Inflammation (CRP)

Ordering the C-Reactive Protein Test with Access Medical Laboratories

A C-reactive protein test measures the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood. This protein is made by your liver and is sent into the bloodstream in response to an inflammatory process.

Inflammation is a process by which the body protects the tissues if they have been injured or have an infection. It can cause redness, pain, and swelling in the affected area. Autoimmune disorders or chronic diseases can also cause inflammation.

Typically, an individual should have low levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, while high levels may signify a severe infection or other disorder.

CRP levels increase and decrease depending on how much inflammation the body has. If the CRP levels go down, it's a sign that the treatment for inflammation is working.

Which Patients is the C-reactive protein Test Best Used For?

Physicians typically order a C-reactive protein test to help diagnose or rule out certain conditions, including:

• Severe bacterial infections, such as sepsis
• Fungal infections
• Osteomyelitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
  

A practitioner may also request the CRP test to:

• Monitor a patient after surgery to ensure there is no infection during their recovery period.
• Monitor the treatment after chronic inflammatory condition diagnosis.
  

A CRP test alone can't determine where the inflammation is in the body. If a CRP is high, physicians will generally order additional tests to find the root cause of inflammation.