Importance of CRP and hs-CRP test...
Before understanding the importance of CRP and the hs-CRP test, you must have some basic knowledge about them. CRP stands for C-reactive protein, and hs-CRP stands for high-sensitivity c-reactive protein.
Initially, more C-reactive protein was tested but nowadays hs- CRP test is done more because the hs-CRP test reveals the inflammation inside the body more clearly.
What is C-Reactive-Protein?
Whenever any kind of swelling or inflammation occurs in any part inside our body, then in proportion to the severity of inflammation, the C-reactive protein levels start to rise.
It simply means that the higher the inflammation inside the body, the C-reactive protein level will increase manifolds from normal. Therefore, with this test's help, we can diagnose the severity of inflammation produced in our body exactly.
This protein is made in our liver, and its level remains normal in the bloodstream without inflammation.
Why does C-reactive protein increase?
The main reason for the increase of C-reactive protein is the inflammation inside our body, so first, we have to understand the causes of inflammation exactly.
What are the reasons for swelling in the internal organs of the body? You need to understand mainly two reasons...
It's like this…
1. Due to an infection…
We keep getting many infections in our body, such as those caused by bacteria such as… Enteric fever or typhoid is a type of bacterial infection in which inflammation in the intestine of an infected person can also increase C-reactive protein.
For example, in the case of tuberculosis or TB disease, which is also a bacterial infection, which mainly affects the lungs and can occur in any part of the body, and due to this, C-reactive protein is also raised.
Or in the case of other infections caused by a virus, for example, the infection of Corona (COVID-19), due to this infection, there is a lot of inflammation in our lungs due to which the levels of C-reactive protein raised suddenly.
Other infections of the lungs that are caused by the fungus in cases CRP levels also raised. Apart from this, infections caused by parasites such as malaria CRP also raised, etc.
Now you have understood one thing that whatever type of infection is inside the body due to this C-reactive protein raised because of inflammation in the body's internal organs.
2. Due to an Allergy…
What happens in allergies that when we eat such a thing or come in contact with such a thing that is not suitable to our body due to this allergic reaction occurs which causes swelling or inflammation in the internal organs of our body, due to which the levels of C reactive protein raise in our blood.
For example, consider it so that if someone is allergic to wheat (GLUTEN-ENTEROPATY) and despite this, if he eats kinds of wheat, then his intestines get swollen, and due to this, the level of CRP rises in our body.
Or understand that if you are allergic to the medicine of fever, paracetamol. Still, you take paracetamol, there will be swelling in the internal organs of the body, and due to this inflammation, the levels of C-reactive protein will increase in the body.
Thus, allergies and infections are the two most important causes of inflammation inside the body.
Apart from these, there are many types of autoimmune diseases such as... rheumatoid arthritis, many types of cancers, etc., in which the levels of CRP raised.
C-reactive protein can also increase due to an injury or fracture of bone etc.
It also increases due to Heart attack because the heart muscle becomes inflamed during a heart attack.
Sometimes inflammatory disease of the heart muscle (PERICARDITIS) may be due to a bacterial infection; even, in that case, the CRP increases.
The normal value of CRP…
There is currently no absolute set standard for CRP blood levels, and guidelines vary as well. However, as a general rule, the following classification applies to CRP:
- Less than 3 MG/L is normal.
- Levels between 3 mg/L – 10 mg/L are mildly elevated (LOW-RISK), and it usually happens in chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or unhealthy lifestyle that include tobacco usage.
- Levels between 10 mg/L to -100 mg/L are moderately elevated (MEDIUM-RISK) and are usually due to internal inflammation caused by an infectious or non-infectious cause.
- Levels above 100 mg/L become elevated in severe form (VERY HIGH RISK) and always indicate a serious bacterial infection.
According to the results of the hs-CRP test, a person's risk of developing heart disease is as follows:
- Low Risk- has to be less than 1 mg/l.
- Moderate risk - ranges from 1 mg/l to - 3 mg/l.
- High risk - to be more than 3 mg/l.
Here we will emphasize the CRP test because the hs-CRP test is mostly done to diagnose heart diseases.
How is the C Reactive Protein Test done?
No special preparation is required to do this test. This test can be done at any time; for this, a sample of blood is taken from the arm vein in which there is a slight pricking pain, and in a few minutes, this test is completed. This test is usually done between Rs 400 to 600; its rate may vary from lab to lab.
How to understand the test result of C reactive protein?
If C reactive protein is more than 10 mg per liter, there is some infection in your body. This infection can be caused by any bacteria or virus, and this infection is acute or chronic in nature. In such a situation, you should consult your doctor and get proper treatment.
Under what circumstances may a test for C-reactive protein make little difference?
Certain conditions in our body affect the levels of C-reactive protein such as…
Consuming painkiller medicines...
Suppose a person is already taking pain-reducing medicines such as Brufen, Naproxen, etc. So in such a situation, his CRP test can be a bit messy. It is because these drugs can reduce the value of CRP.
Pregnancy…
The value of CRP may also increase in pregnancy; It is more common in the last months of pregnancy.
Some long-standing diseases (Chronic diseases)…
Some people have had many diseases for a long time, like joint problems like osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis.
- Autoimmune disorders like SLE etc.
All these physical problems can increase the value of CRP.
Consuming Birth control pills…
Many women use these types of drugs, due to which there may be a slight difference in their CRP test report. These types of problems make it difficult to properly diagnose serious infections because all these problems can affect the values of the CRP test report.
In this way, your doctor can diagnose your disease correctly by doing many other tests such as CBC, ESR, etc.
Which diseases can increase CRP?
Having more than 10 mg per liter of C-reactive protein can cause many serious problems like…
1. Bone infection (osteomyelitis).
2. Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or SLE-systemic lupus erythematosus.
4. Many types of cancers such as lymphoma etc.
5. Pneumonia or other types of lung infection like Covid 19 infection etc.
6. Heart attack (Myocardial infarction) or bacterial or viral infection of the heart muscle, such as pericarditis.
7. Pancreatitis (acute or chronic pancreatitis)
8. Crohn's disease.
9. Inflammatory bowel disease.
10. Rheumatic heart disease etc.
CRP levels may increase after an operation or injury. In addition, excessive use of tobacco can also increase CRP.
How to lower C reactive protein?
The measure of the reduction of C reactive protein is linked to the root cause of its increase. First of all, we have to diagnose the proper cause after consulting with a doctor.
In this way, when the doctor diagnoses and treats the root cause properly, then the levels of C reactive protein will decrease on their own.
Yes, there are some things that you should follow like…
- Keep your weight under control because obesity is also a disease due to which C-reactive protein can be affected.
- Do exercise daily; this will keep your body fit, and your immunity will also increase.
- Do not consume too much alcohol; drinking too much alcohol causes inflammation in the liver, which can also increase CRP levels.
- Quit smoking Because excessive smoking or tobacco consumption causes many types of cancers and inflammation in the lungs, which can increase CRP levels.
In addition, some medicines such as pain relievers (NSAIDs) or drugs in the Statins group, such as blood thinners, also help reduce CRP levels.
Conclusion...
In the case of corona or covid-19 infection, swelling or inflammation develops in the lungs of some patients. So a doctor needs to measure the severity of inflammation because the severity of inflammation tells the seriousness of the covid-19 infection.
In such a situation, the C-reactive protein blood test gives accurate information about that condition. So it is a critical blood test in case of covid-19 infection, and if the levels of CRP are high, then specific measures should be taken in time to save the patient's life.
This Article is full of Knowledge.
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