C-Reactive Protein

In the body, CRP plays the important role of interacting with the
complement system, an immunologic defense mechanism .

As a blood test, CRP is not specific. A high result serves as a general
indication of acute inflammation.

In cases of inflammatory
rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, doctors can utilize
the CRP test to assess the effectiveness of a specific arthritis treatment and
monitor periods of disease flare-up.
It must be noted that even in known cases of
inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, a low CRP
level is possible, and is not indicative of no inflammation.

Normally there is no CRP in blood
serum . A high or increasing amount of CRP in your blood, suggests that you have an acute infection or inflammation.
Although a result above 1 mg/dL is usually considered high for CRP, most infections
and inflammations result in CRP levels above 10 mg /dL
C-reactive protein blood test

Low risk : <1mg/dL

High risk : >3mg/dL

IMPORTANT
COMMENT :

When testing
new born children false -ve result are possible

A positive CRP may be an indicator of several conditions, including:

rheumatoid arthritis rheumatic fever cancer

tuberculosis
lupus heart attack

pneumonia

A positive
CRP also can be detected during the last half of pregnancy or with the use of
oral contraception.

Viral infections tend to give a lower CRP
level than bacterial infection.

» C-Reactive Protein