C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative

General Health & Wellness

Heart Health

Cpt Codes

86140

What is C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative and why is it important?

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant, a biomarker that increases in response to inflammation within the body. This quantitative test is utilized to detect and monitor inflammatory conditions, infections, and certain neoplastic diseases. Elevated CRP levels indicate the presence of inflammation or tissue injury, and progressive increases typically correlate with a higher degree of inflammatory activity. CRP is often considered a more sensitive and rapidly responding indicator of inflammation compared to the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). Beyond general inflammation, a highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) assay can also serve as an additional indicator for assessing an individual's susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, reflecting arterial inflammation.

When to consider C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative?

Consider the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test if you:

Are experiencing symptoms suggestive of inflammation, such as unexplained fever, persistent fatigue, chronic pain, or swelling.
Need to monitor the activity of known inflammatory conditions or evaluate the presence of an infection.
Are undergoing a cardiovascular risk assessment, especially if you have existing risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of cardiac issues.
Require monitoring after surgery or injury to detect early signs of infection or assess your body's healing response.

Who benefits from C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative?

This test benefits individuals who:

Wish to assess their overall inflammation status, as CRP levels rise in response to inflammatory processes.
Are managing chronic inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, or those with ongoing infections.
Have concerns about their cardiovascular well-being, as elevated CRP levels are increasingly recognized as a potential indicator of increased heart disease risk.
Are proactively engaging in comprehensive wellness monitoring and seek deeper insights into their body's inflammatory responses.

When is theC-Reactive Protein (CRP) Quantitative used ?

The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test is commonly used as an aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions characterized by inflammation or tissue damage. These include:

Infectious Diseases: To detect and monitor acute bacterial or viral infections, such as pneumonia, sepsis, or appendicitis.
Inflammatory Conditions: To assess the activity of chronic inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), and pancreatitis.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) assay is used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in seemingly healthy individuals, as elevated levels can indicate arterial inflammation, a key factor in atherosclerosis.
Post-Surgical Complications: To monitor for early signs of postoperative infections or other inflammatory complications.
Tissue Injury: Any condition causing tissue damage, such as trauma or burns, can lead to elevated CRP.

Important Considerations

It is crucial to understand that C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a non-specific marker. An elevated CRP level signals the presence of inflammation or tissue injury in the body but does not pinpoint the precise cause or location. Your healthcare provider should interpret your results in conjunction with your complete medical history, symptoms, and other diagnostic tests to establish an accurate diagnosis and appropriate course of action.