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C- Reactive Protein Quantitative

Overview
What is CRP?
C-reactive Protein (CRP) is a protein secreted by the liver in response to inflammation caused by injury, infection, or otherwise. The C-reactive protein (Quantitative) test measures the levels of C-reactive protein in blood to determine the presence of inflammation or infection and to monitor treatment.
Why is CRP done?
The C-reactive Protein Test is done:
· To help detect the presence of an acute bacterial infection
· To help detect autoimmune diseases
· To monitor treatment for infection, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer
What does CRP Measure?
CRP Test measures the levels of CRP in blood to detect the presence of an inflammation or to monitor the treatment and progress of an inflammatory condition. C-reactive Protein or CRP is an acute phase reactant protein which is produced and secreted by the liver in response to an inflammation in the body, which may be caused by tissue injury, infection, or autoimmune diseases. CRP levels increase in patients with trauma, heart attack, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections, sepsis, post surgery, cancer, etc. CRP levels are often increased before the onset of other symptoms of inflammation such as pain, fever, etc. CRP levels in blood fall as the inflammation subsides.
It is a non-specific test. It can neither diagnose a condition by itself nor can it determine the location of a particular inflammation or disease. Other tests along with physical examination are performed to diagnose a particular condition and determine the location.
A variant of the CRP test is the High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Test (hs-CRP) which is more sensitive for CRP levels and can detect blood CRP levels at a lower concentration than the standard CRP Test. The hs-CRP Test is performed usually to determine the risk of development of cardiovascular diseases in otherwise healthy individuals.
Interpreting CRP results
Interpretations
Normal CRP level: Below 10 mg/L
Higher CRP levels than the normal range indicate the presence of an inflammation which may be caused by an infection, trauma, autoimmune diseases, cancers, etc.
The CRP Test is used to detect the presence of an inflammatory condition. Other tests and physical examinations are performed to diagnose a particular condition.
CRP levels are monitored at regular intervals to determine flare-ups in a chronic inflammatory condition, as well as to monitor response to treatment.
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CRP
Frequently Asked Questions about C- Reactive Protein Quantitative

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