C-Reactive Protein CRP Test

C-reactive protein CRP is a protein made in the liver that researchers track as a general inflammation marker, since inflammation can reflect many lifestyle and aging factors. Like elevated homocysteine, a high CRP level increases one’s vulnerability to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, but those connections are best seen as part of broader wellness awareness rather than a specific disease prediction. Such an increase in CRP levels may be caused by infection, inflammation, trauma, diabetes, as well as certain medicines. In the absence of these main factors, elevated CRP can correspond with a higher future risk of heart attack.

This article was last reviewed on 10 April 2019. This article was last modified on 14 February 2020.

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Traditionally, CRP, or C-reactive protein, is measured down to concentrations of 3 to 5 mg/L; hs-CRP is measured down to concentrations of approximately 0.3 mg/L. This improved sensitivity allows hs-CRP to be used to detect low levels of chronic inflammation.

Researchers explore hs-CRP in wellness studies, and readers can use those findings as background when they talk with their clinician about what their numbers may mean.

Which level is considered the norm?

Concentrations less than 1 mg/L indicate low risk of cardiovascular disease.
1 to 2,9 mg/L levels suggest average risk. Concentrations above 3.0 mg/L indicate a high risk of cardiovascular disease

As you can see, a reading above 10 mg/L may signal a need for further testing to determine the cause of such significant inflammation in your body. It’s worth mentioning that levels of hs-CRP less than 10 mg/L are significant for cardiovascular risk stratification. Higher hs-CRP levels may be the sign of acute inflammation, a chronic illness, a trauma, etc.

C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker of Cardiovascular Disease

Public health bodies have investigated hs-CRP alongside traditional markers to better understand inflammation’s role in heart health³⁴.

As for primary prevention, a number of prospective epidemiological studies have shown that the high-sensitivity method in detecting CRP is highly predictive of cardiovascular accidents⁵, peripheral vascular diseases, ischaemic strokes, and sudden cardiac death risks even if the patient is virtually healthy. Other major studies in the USA and Europe have proven hs-CRP levels to be a better risk indicator than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Moreover, since hs-CRP reflects a different cardiovascular risk component, research suggests hs-CRP and lipid levels together can inform conversations about heart health. Use these results with your healthcare provider to understand next steps.

Do I need to check my hs-CRP levels if I feel well?

Factors that increase hs-CRP levels are quite numerous. They include obesity, elevated blood pressure, diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2, acute situational reaction, sleep disturbances, etc. Healsens offers educational guidance to help you learn about factors that can influence hs‑CRP and how often people may choose to check it, in consultation with their healthcare provider.

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What if my C reactive protein CRP level is high?

As we wrote above, for hs-CRP values exceeding 10 mg / L, it is recommended to undergo additional testing to find the causes of inflammation. Since such high levels of hs-CRP are associated with acute inflammation, chronic disease, trauma, etc.

For values below 10 mg / L, the good news is that giving up smoking, regular physical activity, as well as weight-reducing treatment, can lower basic hs-CRP level without any medical help. Healthy eating habits⁶, green tea⁷⁸, controlled drinking, sufficient vitamin D⁹¹⁰, vitamin C¹¹, and vitamin K¹² in your body can also reduce the level of the reactive protein in the body.

In addition, glucosamine may reduce cancer mortality by lowering C-reactive protein levels. Some studies have explored glucosamine’s potential effects on inflammation markers; consult your clinician before considering supplements. This is due to a decrease in inflammation, which will be reflected in a decrease in the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein, as expected by about 23%.

The same effect can be achieved through certain medications, such as¹³:

• cyclooxygenase inhibitors(Aspirin, Rofecoxib, Celecoxib)

• thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors (Clopidogrel, Abciximab)

• cholesterol management products (statins, ezetimibe, fenofibrate, nicotinic acid)

• beta-adrenergic blocking agents and angiotensin

• converting-enzyme inhibitors (Ramipril, Captopril, Fozinopril)

• anti-diabetes drugs (Rosiglitazone, Pioglitazone).

In case any medications must be taken, discuss your therapeutic regimen with your doctor.

» Discover everything about what your cholesterol results mean.

Ordering Blood Tests in the Netherlands

If you’d like to learn your hs-CRP level, we can point you to third-party laboratories that offer this test; always review options with a healthcare professional.

FURTHER READING

Source: ©️2019 Healsens B.V. All right reserved

1. Association of 10-Year C-Reactive Protein Trajectories With Markers of Healthy Aging: Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Aging
2. Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, successful aging, and mortality: the PolSenior study
3. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a biomarker of risk in coronary artery disease
4. 2019 Guidelines on Dyslipidaemias (Management of)
5. High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Cardiovascular Disease Across Countries and Ethnicities
6. Diet quality inversely associated with C-reactive protein levels in urban, low-income African American and White adults
7. Green tea extract reduces blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress and improves parameters associated with insulin resistance in obese, hypertensive patient
8. Green Tea minimally affects Biomarkers of Inflammation in Obese Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome
9. Interaction of Vitamin D and Smoking on Inflammatory Markers in the Urban Elderly
10. Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Level of Circulating High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
11. A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials: The Impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum CRP and Serum hs-CRP Concentrations
12. Relationship between vitamin K status, bone mineral density, and hs-CRP in young Korean women
13. C-reactive protein (CRP)-lowering agents