Introduction
A C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a diagnostic tool that helps determine the amount of C-reactive protein in the blood. In reaction to inflammation, your liver produces C-reactive protein. Healthcare practitioners use this test to identify and monitor a variety of inflammation-related illnesses, including infections and autoimmune diseases. This test is usually recommended by doctors after surgeries and major procedures to check for infections. Not only this but it can also be ordered if you show any signs and symptoms of inflammation and infection in the body. This article goes more in-depth into what this test is and why it is needed.
What is CRP, and What Does it Indicate?
Whenever you get injured or exposed to some kind of disease, virus, or bacteria, your immune system releases inflammatory cells and cytokines (produced by white blood cells). CRP’s job is to activate certain immune system components, notably white blood cells known as macrophages. These act as a protective barrier between your body and the foreign toxins.
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They’re known to capture and consume these bacterial cells or viruses in your body, which in response, causes inflammation. It can present itself in your body in the form of some swelling and bruising or some redness on your skin. More often than not though, inflammation may not be physically visible on the body.
Usually, CRP is always present in your body, but at an extremely low level; however, elevated levels of CRP can indicate a major issue in your body. These elevated levels can be caused by an infection or injury that may have occurred. Tracking CRP levels can be of great help for doctors to learn more about any inflammatory conditions that may be present in your body.
When is a CRP test recommended?
A doctor can order a CRP test depending on the diagnosis; however, certain symptoms are observed to trigger the need for this test:
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- Running high fever
- Chills and shivering
- Rapid and fast breathing
- Rapid and fast heart rate
- Feeling of nausea
- Vomiting
Testing for CRP is usually not done regularly and can be ordered by a medical practitioner to help diagnose certain health conditions. These conditions have been listed below for your reference:
- Infections caused by bacteria
- Infections caused by fungus
- Infection of the bones
- Diagnosis of an inflammatory bowel disease
- Detection of arthritis and its different forms
- Autoimmune issues like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus disease
- Diagnosis of a pelvic inflammatory disease
- Asthma and bronchitis
- Presence of cancer
- Issues like heart attacks, diabetes, high BP, and different types of heart-related diseases
- Pancreatitis
Doctors can also recommend this test to monitor patients after invasive surgeries. High CRP levels can help determine the presence of any post-surgery infection.
You may also be wondering about the C reactive test price, which is heavily dependent on a lot of varying factors. Prices can fluctuate depending on the region where you reside in the country, what clinic you use, if the test is grouped with other parameters, if it is a home collection, etc. The general pricing for a CRP testfalls to around Rs. 500 in total.
Levels of Elevated CRP and What They Mean?
When CRP levels are elevated, the next step a doctor takes is to determine how much higher the levels are outside of the usual range. This can be segregated based on mildly elevated, moderately elevated, and severe or marked elevation. Different elevation levels can mean different things, all of which have been listed below for your reference:
- Mild elevation in CRP levels (3–10 mg/L)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Smoking habit
- Gum disease
- Viral infections
- Pregnancy
- Moderate elevation of CRP levels (above 10 mg/L)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Heart attacks
- Respiratory infections
- Presence of certain cancers like lungs, liver, colon, and breast
- Pancreatitis
- Marked and severe elevation of CRP levels (above 100 mg/L for marked and over 500 mg/L for severe)
- Major bacterial and/or viral infections
- Vasculitis (inflamed blood vessels)
- Major trauma
- Serious infection like sepsis
A CRP testcan determine at what level your CRP is, which in turn can help the doctor come up with an accurate and effective treatment plan.
Risk Factors for High CRP Levels
Certain risk factors need to be kept in mind when it comes to CRP. High and elevated levels of this protein have often been linked with certain issues, all of which have been listed below:
- Obesity
- Regular smoking
- Little to no physical activity
- High levels of cholesterol
- High blood pressure levels
- Diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
How to Lower CRP Levels
If you take a CRP testand your levels are within the elevated ranges, it is best that you make certain changes and take some steps to lower these levels. Major lifestyle and health-related changes can help lower CRP levels, as well as lower the risk of any connected issues like heart problems.
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting toxic substances like cigarettes
- Maintaining an appropriate weight
- Eating healthy and nutritious food that is also good for the heart
- Maintaining low levels of stress in life
- Reducing alcohol intake or completely quitting the substance
- Statin drugs (these are used as a form of lowering cholesterol levels and can also help in lowering elevated CRP levels as well).
These are some effective methods that help you lower elevated levels after a CRP testis done and a diagnosis is made. All of these changes can easily be made in your daily life; however, with statin drugs, you should consult your doctor first to ensure that it is the right path for your treatment.
Conclusion
A CRP testis extremely important for a lot of different reasons. The test is normally done to check for inflammation and infection in the body. High levels of CRP are oftentimes connected to a lot of different health issues, such as heart diseases, infections, and trauma. While this test is not commonly ordered, a doctor may still suggest getting it on a precautionary basis if you are experiencing any indicators. The c reactive test price generally ranges around Rs 500, making it accessible to most.