C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test Understand the Test & Your Results (2024)

A c-reactive protein test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in your blood. CRP is a protein made by your liver. It's sent into your bloodstream in response to inflammation. Inflammation is your body's way of protecting your tissues if you've been injured or have an infection. It can cause pain, redness, and swelling in the injured or affected area. Some autoimmune disorders and chronic diseases can also cause inflammation.

Normally, you have low levels of c-reactive protein in your blood. High levels may be sign of a serious infection or other disorder.

Other names: c-reactive protein, serum

A CRP test may be used to find or monitor conditions that cause inflammation. These include:

• Bacterial infections , such as sepsis , a severe and sometimes life-threatening condition
• A fungal infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease, a disorder that causes swelling and bleeding in the intestines
• An autoimmune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
• An infection of the bone called osteomyelitis

You may need this test if you have symptoms of a serious bacterial infection. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Nausea and vomiting

If you've already been diagnosed with an infection or have a chronic disease, this test may be used to monitor your treatment. CRP levels rise and fall depending on how much inflammation you have. If your CRP levels go down, it's a sign that your treatment for inflammation is working.

If your results show a high level of CRP, it probably means you have some type of inflammation in your body. A CRP test doesn't explain the cause or location of the inflammation. So if your results are not normal, your health care provider may order more tests to figure out why you have inflammation.

A higher than normal CRP level does not necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment. There are other factors that can raise your CRP levels. These include cigarette smoking , obesity , and lack of exercise .

If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results .

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