C-reactive protein (CRP) by nephelometry

C-reactive protein, often called CRP, is a substance that your liver produces when there is inflammation somewhere in your body. Measuring the level of this protein in your blood helps your doctor detect and monitor conditions that cause inflammation, such as infections, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic health problems.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker produced by your liver when your body is fighting inflammation. It rises in response to infections, injuries, or conditions causing inflammation, such as arthritis or heart disease. This test helps doctors assess whether inflammation is present and guide treatment decisions.

Your doctor may order a C-reactive protein test if you have signs of an infection or an inflammatory condition, such as fever, pain, swelling, or general weakness. The test can also help track how well treatment is working for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, or a serious infection over time.

Your healthcare provider may order a CRP test to check for inflammation, diagnose conditions like infections, or monitor chronic diseases. It’s also used before surgeries or procedures to assess risk.

The test is done with a simple blood draw, usually from a vein in your arm. A healthcare provider will clean the skin, wrap a band around your upper arm, and use a small needle to collect a blood sample into a tube. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, and the entire process typically takes only a few minutes.

A small blood sample is taken from a vein, usually in your arm. The sample is sent to a lab where CRP levels are measured using nephelometry, a method that detects protein particles in the blood.

Higher-than-normal CRP levels usually mean there is inflammation in your body, which can come from infections, injuries, or chronic conditions such as arthritis or heart disease. The test does not show exactly where the inflammation is, so your doctor will interpret your results together with your symptoms, physical exam, and other laboratory tests.

Results show CRP levels, which can help determine the presence or severity of inflammation. Higher levels may indicate active inflammation, while lower levels suggest it’s under control. Your doctor will interpret results in the context of your overall health and symptoms.