By Shilpa | March 26, 2025
What Is C Reactive Protein Test ?
The C-reactive protein (CRP) Test is a blood test that measures the level of C-reactive protein, a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body.
Detects inflammation due to infections, autoimmune diseases, or chronic conditions.
Helps diagnose infections like pneumonia, sepsis, or bacterial infections.
Assesses risk of heart disease, as elevated CRP levels may indicate a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.
Monitors chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Evaluates treatment response, showing if inflammation is reducing with medication or lifestyle changes.
Acute infections (bacterial or viral)
Chronic inflammatory diseases (arthritis, lupus, IBD)
Heart disease risk (linked to atherosclerosis)
Tissue injury or surgery recovery
Cancer (in some cases)
Standard CRP Test – Detects general inflammation.
High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) Test – Used to assess cardiovascular disease risk.
Importance Of C Reactive Protein Test
The C-reactive protein (CRP) Test is important because it helps detect and monitor inflammation in the body. It is a valuable tool for diagnosing various diseases and assessing overall health.
CRP levels rise in response to bacterial and viral infections, helping diagnose conditions like pneumonia, sepsis, and tuberculosis.
Used to track conditions such as:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Lupus (SLE)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
Autoimmune diseases
The high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) test helps determine the risk of heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
Higher CRP levels indicate chronic inflammation, which is linked to heart problems.
Helps doctors evaluate whether medications, lifestyle changes, or treatments are reducing inflammation in conditions like arthritis and heart disease.
Benefits Of C Reactive Protein Test
Requires only a small blood sample.
Provides fast results, making it an affordable diagnostic tool.
Persistent high CRP levels may indicate cancer, diabetes, or other long-term inflammatory diseases.
Detects complications like infections after surgery or trauma.
Helps in wound healing assessment.