test Details

Infections, Covid-19, Heart attack, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus erythematosus, Sepsis, Cancer

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein the liver produces in reaction to inflammatory conditions. Every time a foreign object threatens the body, the liver releases CRP into the bloodstream. This C-reactive protein interacts with the body's immune system and takes part in the defence mechanism in eliminating pathogens like bacteria, and viruses out of the body.

To measure the level of CRP in the body, the C-reactive protein test is used. This test helps physicians in determining the severity of the inflammation. It can provide information about the disease's prognosis.

Usually, CRP tests are divided into two categories:

• CRP Qualitative Test
• CRP Quantitative Test

CRP Qualitative Test: It determines whether C- reactive protein is below or beyond the usual range. CRP results will either be positive, indicating the level is above average or negative, indicating the level is below standard. This test is also helpful in monitoring the progress of medical treatment.

CRP Quantitative Test: CRP quantitative measures the amount of CRP in the blood. Quantitative CRP diagnoses inflammation by measuring the amount of CRP in the blood. A high level of quantitative CRP implies a severe inflammatory response.

Symptoms indicating sepsis like fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, rashes, shortness of breath and dizziness call for a CRP test. The presence of CRP in the blood goes up within a few hours of infection. It also rises during viral infection, chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.

In comparison to men, women have slightly greater CRP levels. CRP levels are also increased in pregnant women. The CRP test can track a patient's response to treatment and detect flare-ups in chronic inflammatory conditions.

When a person exhibits signs and symptoms of an inflammatory reaction, a CRP test may be required. It's a metric for determining the severity of an inflammatory response. CRP test positive results suggest the chances of inflammatory disorders. Consequently, C-reactive protein tests do not show where the inflammation is occurring.

To rule out more inflammation, some other tests are conducted, like the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate test (ESR), the Rheumatoid factor test (RF) and the Anti-nuclear antibody test (ANA).

Another test of CRP, a high-sensitivity CRP test (hs-CRP), is used to determine your risk of heart disease and evaluate your risk of a second heart attack. This test can find more minor changes in CRP levels as well.

Other names of CRP test

• C-reactive protein
• CRP (qualitative) test

What does the CRP Qualitative test measure and who is this prescribed for?

The liver produces and secretes C-reactive Protein (CRP) in reaction to any inflammation in the body. CRP test levels are elevated before the onset of several diseases. It is indicative of inflammatory changes when a person experiences the following conditions:

• High fever with or without chills
• Muscle stiffness and soreness
• Frequent headaches
• Nausea and indigestion
• Sleeplessness or insomnia
• Unexplained weight loss
• Obesity
• Joint stiffness
• Shaking or trembling
• Persistent vomiting
• Acute diarrhoea
• Breathlessness
• Sudden rash or hives on the skin
• Vertigo
• Severe body pain
• Muscle soreness
• Loss of consciousness

A CRP test may be requested if the doctor suspects any of the conditions listed above. This CRP test also determines the severity of the inflammatory condition. Doctors also recommend CRP testing to monitor the course of treatment for the illnesses listed above.

CRP tests are also prescribed for the following diseases:

• Atherosclerosis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• COVID-19
• Any tissue injury
• Autoimmune diseases
• Post-surgery
• After physical trauma
• Heart attack
• Bacterial infections
• Sepsis
• Cancer
• Infection caused by bacteria or viruses
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Males and females, adults and children, can all take the CRP test. Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), insomnia and obesity, can cause a misleading increase in CRP levels. Therefore, always inform your doctor about any current medications you are on.

CRP Qualitative tests only indicate high or low levels of C reactive protein in blood samples ie a positive or negative result is given by labs.

Although, recent injury or sickness can cause falsely shows positive CRP results. Also, women and the elderly have slightly higher levels of CRP. Obesity, sleeplessness, pregnancy and smoking can also cause minor spikes in CRP. Furthermore, certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause false low CRP levels. In such cases, testing results must be evaluated carefully.

A C-reactive protein is not diagnostic but gives an idea of inflammatory diseases in the body. It is an inflammatory marker of the body.

Positive CRP Qualitative Test: A positive CRP would point to inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, bacterial infections, lupus, vasculitis, heart attack and many more.

CRP levels that are positive suggest inflammation, which can be caused by infections, trauma, autoimmune diseases, cancer and other reasons.

It is not always possible to determine if a CRP test is due to a particular cause. Possible causes include:

• Infection
• Cancer
• Heart attack
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Last half of pregnancy
• Use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives)

The CRP test can only detect the presence of an inflammatory disorder. Additional testing and physical examinations are required to diagnose the underlying condition.

Negative CRP Qualitative Test: The negative presence of C-reactive protein in the blood means you are not likely to be suffering from any inflammatory conditions. However, your doctor may require further tests and clinical assessment to understand and diagnose your condition.

The results of C reactive protein tests are based on the analysis of blood samples. A blood sample can be collected at a hospital or laboratory. Usually, blood is extracted from a vein in the hand. For more specific instructions, consult the concerned doctor.

Test Preparation

A C-reactive protein test is a basic blood test that does not require any preparation. A blood sample is usually collected from a vein in the forearm. The sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis. It takes only five minutes to collect the blood sample.

CRP Qualitative Test Inclusions: What are the parameters included?

The C-reactive protein test measures the presence of C-reactive proteins in the blood produced by the liver. These values give an idea about C-reactive protein antibodies, which is a sign of various inflammatory conditions. The result of the CRP test is expressed as positive or negative, which is an indicator of an inflammatory condition.

The findings of a qualitative CRP test are either positive or negative. Positive results indicate higher amounts of C-reactive protein and negative results indicate lower amounts of C-reactive protein.

An elevated level of CRP indicates infection or damage. The readings will be within normal ranges if there is no inflammation in the body. Additionally, CRP tests are used to track how well infections are being treated.

How frequently should you take the CRP test?

A C-reactive protein test is done on the recommendation of a doctor. It evaluates the intensity of infection, swelling, and inflammation and aids in the assessment of prognosis in various diseases.

If the result of the C-reactive protein test confirms an inflammation, then appropriate medication should be taken.

When there is healing and recovery, C-reactive protein levels decrease after 17 hours of an immune reaction. But, if the CRP level does not drop within this time frame, the test is repeated frequently.

If CRP levels gradually drop, doctors may request the test be repeated once a week or alternately every two weeks. The CRP test is repeated until the value falls below normal limits.