Common blood inflammation markers include C-reactive protein (CRP) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), which signal general inflammation, while other specific proteins like Fibrinogen, Serum Amyloid A, and Interleukins (e.g., IL-6) can provide more detail, helping doctors detect infections, autoimmune conditions (like arthritis, lupus), or monitor treatment effectiveness, though they aren't specific to one disease.
The most frequently used inflammatory markers include acute-phase proteins, essentially CRP, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen and procalcitonin, and cytokines, predominantly TNFα, interleukins 1β, 6, 8, 10 and 12 and their receptors and IFNγ. Some cytokines appear to be disease-specific.
CRP (C-reactive protein) in pregnancy reflects inflammation, with levels naturally higher than in non-pregnant women but varying; it's a key marker for diagnosing infections (as it doesn't cross the placenta), but elevated levels also signal low-grade inflammation linked to risks like preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and potential long-term child health issues, with higher levels seen in obesity and smoking. Doctors use specific pregnancy reference ranges, as general norms don't apply well, and track trends rather than single high values for better diagnosis.
If your CRP (C-reactive protein) is high, a doctor will investigate the underlying cause with further tests (like blood cultures, imaging, or autoimmune markers) to find the source of inflammation, which could be infection, autoimmune disease, or injury. Treatment focuses on the root problem with medications (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, statins) or lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress management) and involves monitoring CRP levels to track improvement, as a high CRP signals inflammation but not a specific disease.
Besides C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and procalcitonin (PCT), other markers of inflammation include serum amyloid A, cytokines, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, plasma viscosity, ceruloplasmin, hepcidin, and haptoglobin.
By measuring the levels of c-reactive protein in your blood, a CRP test can tell your health care provider how much inflammation you have in your body. High CRP levels may mean you have an acute or chronic health condition, such as: Infections from bacteria or viruses.
Healthy eating tips to help reduce inflammation
While there were many causes of markedly elevated CRP levels, infection was the most common (particularly at higher CRP levels) and was present in 88.9% of patients with CRP levels above 350 mg/L.
The C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test checks for inflammation in your body. A CRP blood test also helps to see how well you are responding to treatment. No special preparation is needed for a CRP blood test. A high CRP level may mean there is inflammation or infection.
CRP levels, which rise due to inflammation anywhere in the body, may return to normal levels within 18–20 hours once the inflammatory trigger is removed. This process helps both in diagnosing the presence of a disease and in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.
CRP levels alone are not necessarily dangerous, but higher levels can be a sign of underlying health issues that should be investigated and treated. It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and interpretation of CRP levels in the context of your overall health.
Possible causes of high blood protein include:
Recently, a prospective study found that high preconception CRP levels (≥1.95 mg/L) were associated with a significant decrease in the number of clinical pregnancies and live birth rates among women attempting to conceive naturally.
Chronic inflammation symptoms
In clinical practice, serum IL-6 levels are usually applied to inflammatory or infectious diseases. Increased IL-6 levels have been reported in patients diagnosed with breast, cervical, esophageal, head and neck, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, and renal cancers.
Based on visual observation, the ancients characterised inflammation by five cardinal signs, namely redness (rubor), swelling (tumour), heat (calor; only applicable to the body' extremities), pain (dolor) and loss of function (functio laesa).
When our body becomes injured or encounters an infection, it activates defence mechanisms to protect itself. It does this by instructing our cells to fight off the invader. This fighting process causes inflammation, which often presents as swelling, redness and pain.
Signs of inflammation in the body can include redness, warmth, swelling, pain, and loss of function. These symptoms can appear in various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, gut, and brain. Other common signs of inflammation include fatigue, fever, and weight loss.
Clinically, acute inflammation is characterized by five cardinal signs: rubor (redness), calor (heat), tumor (swelling), dolor (pain), and functio laesa (loss of function).
A CRP test result of more than 50 mg/dL is generally considered severe elevation.
Chronic inflammation is linked to numerous diseases ('all diseases'), ranging from CVD, T2D, metabolic diseases, cancer, autoimmunity, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, reproductive system disorders, allergies, skin disorders, and joint problems to headaches, food ...
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (valsartan, irbesartan, olmesartan, telmisartan) markedly reduce serum levels of CRP. The findings with other ARBs (losartan and candesartan) were inconsistent. Antidiabetic agents (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone) reduce CRP levels, while insulin is ineffective.
Vitamins That Fight Inflammation
Low levels of physical activity. Chronic stress. Having a BMI at or above 30 (obesity), especially when excess weight is deep within your belly (visceral fat). An imbalance of healthy and unhealthy microbes in your gut (dysbiosis). Regularly eating foods that cause inflammation, such as foods high in trans fat or salt.
“Yogurt is associated with decreased inflammation, decreased insulin resistance and it may prevent type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Hu says. Nutrition researchers believe yogurt's anti-inflammatory power comes from the probiotics it contains, but that has yet to be confirmed with rigorous trials, he says.