What is C-reactive protein (CRP)?
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a blood test marker for inflammation in the body. CRP is produced in the liver and its level is measured by testing the blood.
CRP is classified as an acute-phase reactant, which means that its levels will rise in response to inflammation.
Other common acute phase reactants include the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and blood platelet count.
What are symptoms and signs of high (elevated) C-reactive protein levels?
There are no signs or symptoms that are specific for an elevated C-reactive protein level, because it is not a specific test. Signs or symptoms, if present, would depend on the underlying inflammatory condition that is the cause of the elevated CRP level.
What does it mean to have elevated C-reactive protein levels in the blood?
In general, the main causes of increased CRP and other markers of inflammation are a variety of conditions, including
burns,
trauma,
infections, such as pneumonia or tuberculosis,
heart attack,
chronic inflammatory diseases such as lupus, vasculitis, or rheumatoid arthritis,
inflammatory bowel disease, and
certain cancers.
What are the normal and elevated ranges for C-reactive protein?
C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation and is typically not detected in the blood unless some degree of inflammation is present in the body.
Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test
A blood test called the sedimentation rate (sed rate) is a crude measure of the inflammation of the joints. The sed rate actually measures how fast red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. The sed rate is usually faster (high) during disease flares and slower (low) during remissions. Another blood test that is used to measure the degree of inflammation present in the body is the C-reactive protein. Blood testing may also reveal anemia, since anemia is common in rheumatoid arthritis, particularly because of the chronic inflammation.
The rheumatoid factor, ANA, sed rate, and C-reactive protein tests can also be abnormal in other systemic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Therefore, abnormalities in these blood tests alone are not sufficient for a firm diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
When should you have C-reactive protein blood levels tested?
Checking the CRP level for the entire adult population is not recommended. Some experts recommend checking the serum CRP level routinely along with the cholesterol level; however, although this is not widely accepted. Ideally, for cardiac risk testing, it is advisable to use the average between two separate CRP levels drawn two weeks part.
More importantly, the CRP level can provide additional information about an individual's cardiovascular risk in conjunction with other known cardiac risk factors, such as,
diabetes mellitus,
high blood pressure,
high cholesterol, obesity,
age, and
smoking cigarettes.
What is the treatment for elevated C-reactive protein blood levels?
The treatment of an elevated CRP in the context of cardiovascular disease, in and of itself, may be meaningless. Instead, appropriate treatment and prevention of the underlying risks and conditions need to be the primary focus of cardiovascular risk reduction.
The most effective and reliable ways to reduce many cardiac factors are
regular exercise,
balanced diet, and
cigarette smoking cessation.
In individuals with elevated cholesterol levels who do not reach their target cholesterol level with
diet modifications,
exercise, and
cholesterol-lowering medication.
People with elevated C-reactive protein levels may be advised by their treating doctors. Statin drugs (such as simvastatin [Zocor], atorvastatin [Lipitor], etc.) are in the forefront of the recommended cholesterol-lowering agents. Lowering of CRP may be seen with the use of statin drugs even without significant improvement of the cholesterol profile.
Reduction of CRP level has also been noted in individuals with known cardiovascular disease who begin aspirin therapy. In those without known cardiovascular disease or significant risk factors for it, aspirin use is not generally recommended. Some diabetic medications (thiazolidinediones) have also been shown to reduce CRP levels in people with or without diabetes mellitus. This effect was seen independent of their glucose-lowering affects
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