The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood test that checks for inflammation in your body. CRP is a protein that is made in your liver and released into your bloodstream. Levels of CRP start to increase very soon after any inflammation or infection affects your body.
A high level of hs-CRP in the blood has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. Also, people who have had a heart attack are more likely to have another heart attack if they have a high hs-CRP level. But their risk goes down when their hs-CRP level is in the typical range.
Blood tests known as 'inflammatory markers' can detect inflammation in the body, caused by many diseases including infections, auto-immune conditions and cancers. The tests don't identify what's causing the inflammation: it might be as simple as a viral infection, or as serious as cancer.
Procalcitonin (PCT): Procalcitonin is a protein in your blood that rises if you have a bacterial infection. It cannot tell what type of bacterial infection you may have. If you have low levels of PCT, your doctor may rule out a bacterial infection.
Normally, you have very low levels of procalcitonin in your blood. But if you have a serious bacterial infection, the cells in many parts of your body will release procalcitonin into your bloodstream. A high level of procalcitonin in your blood may be a sign of a serious infection or sepsis.
Blood culture testing is frequently used to diagnose infections and determine if germs have entered the bloodstream. A blood culture test identifies the specific germ causing an infection and enables further testing to determine what type of treatment may be most effective.
You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L. You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L.
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).
In most conditions, however, there is only a moderate association between raised inflammatory markers and the disease of interest, so they can refine the probability of disease, particularly if the test result is used in conjunction with other factors, such as symptoms.
CRP, PV and ESR each measure inflammation in the blood in slightly different ways. The body produces proteins as part of the normal response to infection or inflammation.
Full blood count (FBC)
This can help give an indication of your general health, as well as provide important clues about certain health problems you may have. For example, an FBC may detect signs of: iron deficiency anaemia or vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. infection or inflammation.
Some of the most common signs of chronic inflammation include: Body discomfort, including joint stiffness, tendonitis and muscle pain. Sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea and persistent fatigue. Weight gain or unexplained weight loss.
Substantially raised CRP values are usually found in pneumonia,3-6 and a high CRP value has been shown to be a strong predictor for this disease in general practice. However, raised CRP values may also be found in uncomplicated viral respiratory infections, particularly those caused by influenza virus and adenovirus.
Generally, a CRP level of less than 10 mg/L is considered normal. CRP levels between 10 and 100 mg/L indicate mild to moderate inflammation, while levels above 100 mg/L indicate severe inflammation.
Statins are the usual course of treatment for high CRP levels. However, diet and exercise may also lower your levels.9 Choose anti-inflammatory foods such as salmon, tuna, and plant-based proteins.
Infection refers to the invasion and multiplication of bacteria or viruses within the body, while inflammation is the body's protective response against infection. Inflammation is a complex cellular process involving various types of immune cells, clotting proteins and signaling molecules.
Part of your body's defense mechanism
As you heal, the inflammation subsides. The symptoms you feel from the inflammation tell you that your body is working. But the symptoms are not comfortable. They include aches and pains, digestive issues, swelling, stuffy nose, heartburn, headaches and more.
Additionally, elevated CRP levels are associated with poor survival in many malignant tumors, such as soft tissue sarcoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, malignant lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer (10, 13-20).
IL-6 Levels
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.
9) Fatigue
Low-grade inflammation can lead to fatigue. Higher CRP was linked with fatigue – both in healthy people and in disease-free survivors of breast cancer [27, 28, 29].
Generally, a CRP level under 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L) is considered normal. If the level of CRP in your blood is higher than that, it may mean your body is having an inflammatory reaction to something. More tests will be needed to figure out what's causing the inflammation.
The patients with the very highest levels of hsCRP —5 to 10, 10 to 20, or even greater than 20 mg/L—are, in fact, at the very highest risk. These are not false positives. These data help to explain why those with periodontal disease, arthritis, and other systemic inflammatory disorders all have higher vascular risk.
CRP levels of 50 are considered high. CRP levels increase from 10 to 50 mg/L in cases of mild inflammation and viral infections, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, or cancer.