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C-Reactive Protein (Blood)

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C-Reactive Protein (Blood)

Does this test have other names?

CRP

What is this test?

The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is used to detect inflammation in your body. It does this by measuring the amount of CRP in your blood. CRP is a protein made by the liver and released into the bloodstream. Blood levels may be higher when you have inflammation or an infection. Because CRP levels often go up before symptoms of pain or fever appear and drop down as you recover, the CRP test is especially useful for tracking infections.

Because C-reactive protein is part of the immune system, your levels of it rise whenever you have inflammation in your body. In fact, inflammation can trigger a thousand-fold jump in CRP. Still, the test doesn't pinpoint where the inflammation is coming from or what is causing it.

A high-sensitivity CRP test (hs-CRP) may be used to measure your heart disease risk even if you seem healthy. It can detect much smaller differences in CRP levels than the regular CRP test. 

Why do I need this test?

You may need this test if your doctor suspects you have an infection such as osteomyelitis, which involves bone, or sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition commonly known as blood poisoning.

Symptoms of sepsis may include fever and chills, headache, pain, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, rash, and shortness of breath. The level of CRP in your blood shoots up within a few hours of a serious infection.  

Your doctor may also order the test if he or she suspects you have an inflammatory condition or an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. CRP levels are elevated in people with these conditions. This test may also be used to monitor flare-ups and recovery.  Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint swelling and pain, morning stiffness, tiredness, weight loss, and low-grade fevers.

If you are being treated for a chronic inflammatory condition or an infection, this test may be used to see if the treatment is working.

The more specialized CRP test for heart disease risk is not covered in this article. 

What other tests might I have along with this test?

Because the CRP test tells you only if you have inflammation and doesn't pinpoint what is causing it, your doctor will likely order more tests. These may include:

  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, test. Like the CRP, this test measures inflammation. It's not as sensitive as the CRP, but it's easy to do and provides complementary information, so many doctors will order it at the same time.

  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. The ANA test measures autoantibodies that attack your cells. This is important in the diagnosis of some autoimmune diseases.  

  • Rheumatoid factor, or RF. This test is done to help diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Anticyclic citrullinated peptide, also called anti-CCP, antibodies. This test is done to help diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis. 

What do my test results mean?

Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your health care provider.

The normal range for this test depends on the lab and the procedure used in the lab. Generally, a CRP level under 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) is considered normal. If the level of CRP in your blood is higher than that, it may mean your body is having an inflammatory reaction to something. More tests will be needed to figure out what's causing the inflammation. 

How is this test done? 

The test requires a blood sample, which is drawn through a needle from a vein in your arm. 

Does this test pose any risks?

Taking a blood sample with a needle carries risks that include bleeding, infection, bruising, or feeling dizzy. When the needle pricks your arm, you may feel a slight stinging sensation or pain. Afterward, the site may be slightly sore. 

What might affect my test results?

A number of factors, such as obesity, lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, and diabetes, may cause your CRP levels to be slightly higher than normal.

How do I get ready for this test?

No special preparation is needed for this test, but be sure your doctor knows about all medicines, herbs, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription. 

If you take certain medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Aleve or Advil), aspirin, or steroids, you levels may be lower than normal.