Description

The level of C-Reactive Protein in the blood is should normally be low. 

A high CRP result or increasing amount of CRP in the blood suggests the presence of inflammation however it will not identify its location or the cause. In individuals suspected of having a serious bacterial infection, a high CRP can be confirmatory. In people with chronic inflammatory conditions, high levels of CRP suggest a flare-up or that treatment has not been effective. If the CRP level is initially elevated and drops, it means that the inflammation or infection is subsiding and/or responding to treatment.

Increased CRP levels are found in inflammatory conditions including: bacterial infection, rheumatic fever, active arthritis, myocardial infarction, malignancies and in the post-operative state. This test cannot detect the relatively small elevations of CRP that are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. If you intend to evaluate cardiovascular risk (Hs-CRP) is needed.