What Does C Reactive Protein Measure

Date:

Share post:

How To Treat And Prevent Elevated Levels

Doctor explains C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test!

C-reactive protein treatment depends on what the underlying cause of the inflammation is. The best way to naturally treat high levels is to uncover the root cause of someones inflammatory response and then make lifestyle or medication recommendations based on that finding.

The same types of healthy habits that help protect against heart disease, such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking and exercising, are also usually involved in treatment for high CRP levels are.

1. Eat An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

In order to protect against the effects of inflammation on your heart and elsewhere, its recommended that you eat a whole-foods diet such as the Mediterranean diet. This type of nutrient-dense diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, fresh herbs, fish, whole grains, legumes and nuts.

Eating foods high in antioxidants, such as vitamin C, A and E, plusprobiotic foods can help to support your immune system. One study found that high intake of vitamin C helped to reduce CRP levels in people with levels greater than 1 mg/L.

Its also important to address any food allergies you may be suffering from, as well as to avoid foods that trigger flair-ups if you have inflammatory bowel disease. These foods can include: gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol and others depending on the person.

2. Get Regular Exercise

3. Talk to Your Doctor About Your Medication Use

If an infection is the root cause of your elevated CRP, then antibiotics may be needed to help you recover.

How Does Crp Relate To Cardiovascular Risk

Your level of C-reactive protein can be an indicator of how at risk you are for developing cardiovascular problems. This is because the development of atherosclerosis is associated with inflammation within the vessel walls. The result is higher levels of CRP in patients with atherosclerosis than in those without atherosclerosis.

The value of knowing CRP levels depends on whether you fall into one of three cardiovascular risk groups:

  • Low risk because of low cholesterol levels and little history of risk factors that is, no diabetes, high blood pressure, or smoking, and no family history of heart attacks at an early age. Even a higher level of CRP will probably not put you at a level of risk that requires than lifestyle changes.
  • Intermediate risk helpful to know CRP level, because it can provide missing piece of information for physician deciding next step in treatment
  • High risk not essential to know your CRP, because you should already be combining aggressive treatment with lifestyle changes to lower your risk

Why Would I Need This Test

You might need this test if your doctor suspects that you have an infection or an illness related to inflammation or to check for infection, especially after surgery. CRP can help confirm a diagnosis and assess how well treatment is going for these kinds of illnesses.

Sometimes CRP is tested if a pregnant woman has ruptured her membranes early. CRP can indicate if there are any problems with the baby.

A special type of CRP called a high-sensitivity CRP can help determine the risk for heart disease.

Don’t Miss: On Whey Protein Flavors Best

How Are Normal And Elevated C

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.

  • CRP measurement is made using a blood sample from a vein. The sample is then taken to a laboratory and analyzed.
  • The traditional CRP measurement is often used to detect inflammation in the body. Your health-care provider may order a C-reactive protein level to check for flare-ups of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis or to monitor whether anti-inflammatory medications are working to treat a disease or condition.
  • Currently, a more highly sensitive measurement to detect CRP is used for cardiovascular risk assessment. This high-sensitive C-reactive protein is termed hs-CRP.
  • Because measuring CRP levels at any point in time may be influenced by any infection or inflammation in the body, onetime measurement is generally not regarded as an adequate predictor of cardiovascular risk. Therefore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends checking two separate CRP levels approximately two weeks apart and using the average number of the two readings for cardiovascular risk assessment and screening purposes.

Treating And Preventing Elevated C

C Reactive Protein Level Chart

By Jillian Levy, CHHC

C-reactive protein levels increase and decrease depending on how much inflammation youre experiencing at any given time. Inflammation is defined as Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body. This is a protective reaction to injury, disease, or irritation of the tissues.

When you arent sick or injured, its normal for C-reactive protein levels to be low. But when something happens to signal to the body that it needs to be healed, levels rise to make this happen. Once you start to recover and symptoms subside, levels will fall and should return to normal.

This is why doctors use CRP tests to determine if a patients treatment plan is working, in addition to assessing if he/she is at risk for problems related to chronic inflammation , including heart disease.

Read Also: Blood Test For C Reactive Protein

C Reactive Protein Test

This test is for bothMale, Female

No any specified preparation needed

OVERVIEW

What is C – reactive protein ?C – reactive protein is a protein discharged by the liver in reaction inflammation induced by injury, infection, or otherwise. The C-reactive protein test measures the degrees of C-reactive protein in blood to ascertain the existence of inflammation or infection and to monitor therapy.

Why is C – reactive protein performed?The C-reactive Protein Test is performed:·To assist identify the existence of an acute bacterial infection·To assist identify autoimmune diseases·To observe therapy for infection, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer

Interpreting C – reactive protein resultsNormal CRP level: Below 10 mg/LHigher C – reactive protein degrees than the usual range show the existence of an inflammation which might also be induced by an infection, trauma, autoimmune diseases, cancers, etc.The C – reactive protein Test is used to identify the existence of an inflammatory condition. Other tests and bodily examinations are carried out to diagnose a particular condition.C – reactive protein degrees are monitored at regular intervals to discover increase in a chronic inflammatory condition, also to observe reaction to treatment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Is there any specified preparation needed prior to the test?Inform the physician about the medicines you may be taking. No special preparations are required prior this test.

Are There Risks With The Test

There are no risks associated with this test other than routine issues that can occur with any blood test. The main issues

A small study from 2013 evaluated 100 people with cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers found that a CRP level over 10 mg/L was connected to a 4 percent risk of developing a fatal cardiovascular disease in 10 years.

If your doctor believes you may be at risk of heart disease or stroke, they may order a hs-CRP blood test alongside other tests.

Additionally, theres more recent research that suggests CRP may be used as a predictor of health outcomes related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .

If your doctor is concerned you are dealing with the symptoms of other inflammatory conditions besides cardiovascular issues, they may order a regular CRP test to diagnose, among other things:

Read Also: Quest Nutrition Tortilla Style Protein Chips

What Does The Test Measure

The test measures the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP levels can reflect the presence and severity of inflammation in your body.

CRP is a protein produced by the liver. When bacteria or other cellular invaders threaten the body, the liver releases CRP into the bloodstream to help organize the bodys defenses. This early response is called an acute phase response. It is also referred to as inflammation or aninflammatory response. The acute phase response also can occur in chronic conditions, including some autoimmune diseases.

As an early responder, CRP is technically known as a positive acute phase reactant. Its level, measured from a blood sample, gives your doctor information about the presence of inflammation and how serious it is. However, CRP levels do not tell the doctor where in your body the inflammation is located or what is causing it.

High-sensitivity CRP testing is a different form of testing that identifies very low concentrations of CRP. Although both tests measure CRP, hs-CRP is considered a separate test with distinct uses.

What Is A C

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | Inflammation | Acute phase reactant

A C-reactive protein test measures the level of C-reactive protein a protein made by your liver in your blood. Your liver releases CRP into your bloodstream in response to inflammation.

When your body encounters an offending agent or you have an injury, it activates your 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 cant see, such as your joints.

You normally have low levels of CRP in your blood. Moderately to severely elevated levels may be a sign of a serious infection or other inflammatory condition.

Read Also: Best Tasting Protein Powder 2021

What Are The Risk Factors For High Levels Of C

Heart disease has an inflammatory component, which may be linked to high C-reactive protein levels. However, based on the current available data it cannot be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Based on the review of the published data, the CDC and the American Heart Association have recommended the following guidelines for assessment of cardiovascular disease risk:

  • CRP levels of 1 mg per liter or lower are considered low risk for cardiovascular disease.
  • CRP levels of 1-3 mg per liter are considered moderate risk for cardiovascular disease.
  • CRP levels greater than 3 mg per liter are considered high risk for cardiovascular disease.
  • CRP levels greater than 10 mg per liter may suggest an acute coronary process, such as heart attack .

The known risk factors for cardiovascular disease are:

This may be possibly related to ongoing inflammatory atherosclerosis in these individuals because of their risk factors.

Despite these associations, research has not clearly and consistently established c-reactive protein as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, as the data seem to be inconsistent from different studies. It has been proposed that elevated c-reactive protein is an independent predictor of atherosclerosis among healthy men and women.

To Diagnose And Monitor Infection

If you have symptoms of an infection in your chest or airways such as dry cough, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing, your doctor may perform a CRP test to decide whether or not to prescribe antibiotics. Infection caused by bacteria results in a greater rise in CRP compared with infections caused by viruses. Antibiotics are only effective against infections caused by bacteria and are not effective against infections caused by viruses.

A CRP level less than 10 mg per L suggests that you don’t have a bacterial infection and therefore a prescription for an antibiotic is likely to do more harm than good. This is because it’s likely that the potential side effects of the antibiotic medication outweigh any clinical benefits.

Don’t Miss: Len And Larry Protein Cookie

It’s A Good Predictor Of Heart Disease

Even if heart attacks were caused by inflammation, CRP testing wouldn’t be useful unless it’s proved to be a good predictor. In other words, studies have to show that there’s a tight correlation between high C-reactive protein levels and the chances of having a heart attack.

To make a long story short, that’s just what a series of studies published in prestigious journals has shown. One, in the Nov. 14, 2002, New England Journal of Medicine , concluded that CRP outperforms LDL cholesterol as a predictor of cardiovascular risk. In addition, the authors found that the two tests identify different high-risk groups, so using both is better than relying on either alone.

What Type Of Results Do You Get For A C

Frontiers

Blood test reports, including CRP blood test reports, usually provide the following information:

  • The name of the blood test or what was measured in your blood.
  • The number or measurement of your blood test result.
  • The normal measurement range for that test.
  • Information that indicates if your result is normal or abnormal or high or low.

Also Check: High Protein Meal Plan For Weight Loss Female

What Are The Normal Values For Esr Crp And Pv

  • ESR: the normal range is 0-22 mm/hr for men and 0-29 mm/hr for women.
  • CRP: most people without any underlying health problem have a CRP level less than 3 mg/L and nearly always less than 10 mg/L.
  • PV: the normal range for adults is 1.50-1.72 mPA.

These ‘normal ranges’ provide a guide. However CRP, ESR and PV levels can vary with factors such as age, pregnancy and between different hospital laboratories. The importance of the test result therefore needs to be considered in the context of each individual person.

When To Treat High Crp Levels

As an additional cardiovascular risk factor, CRP levels identify those people who are more at risk for cardiovascular disease. But how useful is that information to the physician and patient?

Cholesterol-lowering medication such as a statin have been shown to lower CRP levels. A CRP test taken out of context can have questionable value. For example, if youre at low cardiovascular risk and your CRP level is borderline high, the long-term benefit of taking a statin to keep your CRP low is up for debate and further study.

Read Also: Premier Protein Bananas And Cream Costco

How Can Low Moderate And Elevated C

According to the American Heart Association and the CDC, the following guidelines are recommended for the assessment of cardiovascular risk in regards to high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels:

  • Low risk for cardiovascular disease if hs-CRP is 1 milligram per liter or less
  • Moderate risk for cardiovascular disease if hs-CRP is between 1 and 3 mg per liter
  • High risk for cardiovascular disease if hs-CRP greater than 3 mg per liter

CRP level of greater than 10 mg per liter may be seen in an acute plaque rupture such as a heart attack or stroke, provided there is no other explanation for the elevated level .

The cardiovascular risk in regards to hs-CRP levels chart.

Risk

According to recent studies, after adjusting for these traditional risk factors, elevated CRP level alone is unlikely to be a cause of cardiovascular disease.

Nevertheless, CRP may be used as a predictor of cardiovascular disease based on its correlation with the other known cardiac risk factors and their role in the formation of atherosclerosis. In individuals with some or all of these traditional risk factors, elevated CRP levels have been detected. Some data even suggest a trend of higher CRP elevation in the presence of a higher number of risk factors.

Why Do Healthcare Providers Perform Crp Tests

C-Reactive protein (CRP) test

Healthcare providers typically order a C-reactive protein test to help diagnose or rule out certain conditions, including:

  • Severe bacterial infections, such as .
  • Fungal infections.

Your provider may also use CRP tests to monitor your treatment if youve already been diagnosed with an infection or a chronic inflammatory condition.

CRP levels increase and decrease depending on how much inflammation your body has. If your CRP levels go down, it’s a sign that your treatment for the inflammation is working.

Read Also: Does Protein Shakes Make You Gain Weight

What Is The Treatment For High C

Any therapy to lower CRP levels focuses on lowering cardiovascular risk factors. Regular exercise, appropriate diet, and smoking cessation are in the forefront of cardiovascular risk prevention and reduction.

  • Cholesterol-lowering medications have been linked to lowering of CRP levels in individuals with high cholesterol. The fall of CRP levels may occur even without significant improvement in cholesterol levels.
  • The use of aspirin in healthy individuals was not shown to reduce CRP levels significantly. However, in patients with cardiovascular disease and elevated CRP, the reduction of cardiovascular risk and CRP levels was noted after aspirin use.
  • Some oral diabetes medicines, thiazolidinediones , were noted to reduce CRP levels in patients with or without type 2 diabetes. This effect was independent of their glucose-lowering effects.
  • Routine follow-up with a doctor is recommended for the proper management of conditions that are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

When Should You Have C

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,

  • cholesterol-lowering medication.

People with elevated C-reactive protein levels may be advised by their treating doctors. Statin drugs are at 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 have also been shown to reduce CRP levels in people with or without diabetes mellitus. This effect was seen independent of their glucose-lowering effects.

Also Check: Best Protein Powder For Diabetics

What Should You Do If You Have High Crp

Lowering your CRP isnt a guaranteed way to lower your risk of cardiovascular or autoimmune disease.

Its important to know that high CRP is what doctors call a biomarker. A biomarker is a factor to keep in mind when analyzing a persons health, but not a stand-alone indicator of a particular diagnosis.

A 2015 study indicates that eating a nutritious, balanced diet including lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber may help lower your CRP concentration.

If youre at high risk of cardiovascular disease and your test results show high CRP, your doctor may suggest a statin or other cholesterol-lowering medication.

Vitamin C has also been explored as a way to lower CRP levels for people who have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.

A suggests that probiotics may also have a positive effect in lowering CRP.

However, more studies have to be done for each method before any definitive claims can be made.

Related articles

How Much Protein In Hot Dog

Why Is It Called A Hot Dog ...

High Protein Crock Pot Recipes

Guinness Braised Short Ribs 5...

Quest Salted Caramel Protein Powder

Quest Protein Powder Salted Caramel Flavor Food Supplement Powder With Sweetener...

Best Protein Bar For Muscle Gain

Grenade Carb Killa Protein Bars ...