C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Overview
The body produces C-reactive protein (CRP) in response to inflammation. Measuring the amount of C-reactive protein in the blood can help diagnosis and monitoring of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy tissues in joints. This triggers inflammation, which causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Blood tests can help confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with the condition often have elevated levels of certain proteins, including C-reactive protein (CRP), in their blood.
A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test is more sensitive than a standard CRP test. This means that the high-sensitivity test can detect slight increases within the normal range of standard CRP levels.
The hs-CRP test can be used to determine the risk of developing coronary artery disease, a disease in which the arteries of the heart becomes narrow. Coronary artery disease can lead to a heart attack.
An ha-CRP test isn’t recommended for everyone. The test doesn’t show the cause of inflammation, and it’s possible that a high level could mean the inflammation isn’t affecting the heart, especially if the level is significantly higher than normal.
An hs-CRP test may be most useful for people who have a 10% to 20% chance of having a heart attack within the next 10 years, or intermediate risk. Your doctor will determine your risk level using assessment scoring tests that consider your lifestyle choices, family history and current health status.
If you’re at high risk of having a heart attack, you should always get treatment and take steps to protect your heart health, regardless of your hs-CRP level.
What is C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
The liver makes CRP, a type of protein. When the immune system signals inflammation, the body sends CRP through the bloodstream to the affected area. Doctors measure CRP by how many milligrams there are in a liter of blood (mg/l).
High levels of CRP in the blood indicate chronic inflammation. This occurs with a wide range of health problems, such as:
High CRP levels are nearly always a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. Slight and moderate elevations of 0.3–1.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), may happen in pregnant women and individuals with mild infections, diabetes, and some other medical conditions.
The most common cause of high CRP levels is a severe infection. Other possible causes include a poorly controlled autoimmune disease and severe tissue damage.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test
A C-reactive protein (CRP) test measures the level of C-reactive protein, a protein made by the liver, in the blood. The liver releases CRP into your bloodstream in response to inflammation.
When your body encounters an offending agent (like viruses, bacteria or toxic chemicals) or you have an injury, it activates the immune system. Your immune system sends out its first responders: inflammatory cells and cytokines.
These cells begin an inflammatory response to trap bacteria and other offending agents or start healing injured tissue. The result can be pain, swelling, bruising or redness. But inflammation also affects body systems you can’t see, such as your joints.
Normally you have low levels of CRP in the blood. Moderately to severely elevated levels may be a sign of a serious infection or other inflammatory condition.
Purpose of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test
Doctor usually order’s a C-reactive protein (CRP) test to help diagnose or rule out certain conditions, including the following:
- Severe bacterial infections, such as sepsis
- Fungal infections
- Osteomyelitis (infection of the bone)
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Some forms of arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Doctors also use CRP tests to monitor people after surgery or other invasive procedures to check for infection during their recovery period.
A CRP test alone can’t diagnose a condition or where the inflammation is in your body. Because of this, providers generally order additional tests if the CRP results show that you have inflammation.
Levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Several factors, such as age and medical history, can affect an individual’s CRP levels.
| CRP level (mg/L) | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Less than 0.3 | A typical level in healthy adults |
| 0.3 – 1 | Minor elevation |
| 1-10 | Moderately elevated |
| 10-50 | Highly elevated |
| More than 50 | Severely elevated |
Conditions such as minor colds, pregnancy, and smoke inhalation can cause minor RCP elevation.
Moderate elevation typically indicates an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or autoimmune diseases. Marked and severe elevations are typically the result of acute infections and serious trauma.
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