The value of the CRP indicator in a biochemical blood test. CRP in the blood - what is it in a biochemical analysis Functions of C-reactive protein

At the first sign of serious illness in a person, the doctor may prescribe a blood test for CRP. There is no reason to be afraid, because this is the main indicator on which diagnosis and further treatment will be based. What is the decoding and standard indicators of C-reactive protei - read more.

What is SRB

C-reactive protein is an enzyme secreted by the liver during the acute phase of the inflammatory process or the occurrence of a tumor. In case of any damage to internal soft tissues, the body turns on a protective scheme of existence. CRP begins to be produced in increased quantities, forcing the immune system to work at full capacity. The more complex a person’s condition, the higher the acute phase protein index.

What does CRP show in a blood test?

Having received the results of laboratory tests, you need to understand CRP in the blood - what it is. An increased indicator will not indicate the source of the cause, but with its help you can accurately determine that health problems have begun. Any inflammation that is at the peak of the process will show CRP in a blood test higher than normal, sometimes tens of times.

A sharp jump in protein often occurs with sepsis (blood poisoning), necrosis (death of living tissue), the appearance of a malignant neoplasm or a course of biochemistry to combat the spread of metastases, tuberculosis, meningitis, after a heart attack, burns, and diabetes. When monitoring the patient’s condition, the doctor regularly prescribes blood donations to rule out the presence of large amounts of protein. This happens in the following cases:

• risk of death after angioplasty;
• assessment of the risk of metastases in cancer after undergoing biochemistry;
• risk of restenosis after surgery;
• exclusion of the development of neutropenia;
• risk of recurrent myocardial infarction in people with coronary heart disease;
• preventive examination of elderly patients;
• Treatment aimed at controlling and reducing cholesterol levels.

Norm of CRP in the blood

Modern techniques and the use of the latest reagents make it possible to determine the number of proteins. Different medical institutions can give results based on data from 0 to 0.3-0.5 mg/l, which is considered the norm for CRP in the blood. Having received the answer, you need to look at the reference value of this laboratory, which is based on a specific reagent. More recently, there was no numerical indicator. The result could look like a “negative” score - no protein detected or a “positive” score from one to four pluses.

Among women

During pregnancy or taking contraceptive medications, women experience hormonal imbalances, so when taking a blood test, you need to be warned about these factors so that the results are “clean.” The body is a complex mechanism, so the norm of CRP in women may differ from the generally accepted one. So, during pregnancy, an increase in levels up to 3.0 mg/l will be considered normal. After 50 years, in women the result should be “negative” or in the range of 0-0.5 mg/l.

In children

A child's body grows and develops rapidly, especially in the first years of life. The norm of CRP will differ for children of different ages. So in a newborn baby the indicator is 0.6 mg/l, and a year later – 1.6 mg/l. The average value, based on the child’s age, ranges from 0 to 10 mg/l. After any surgical intervention, children are tested for CRP on days 3-5. If the result is exceeded, this means that an infection has occurred and urgent antibacterial therapy is needed. The point of excluding neonatal sepsis deserves special attention.

CRP in the blood is increased

What is CRP in a biochemical blood test and why is it elevated? There are a number of reasons and diseases that can give such results in the first hours. At the same time, an analysis is performed to determine the level of increase in triglyceride concentration. Prerequisites for when CRP in the blood is elevated:

• for joint diseases;
• for bone diseases;
• postoperative complications;
• for infectious diseases;
• acute myocardial infarction;
• cardiovascular complications after coronary artery bypass grafting;
• tissue damage due to burns, injuries, both external and internal;
• in patients with atherosclerosis;
• with collagenosis;
• in patients with hypertension (arterial hypertension);
• in those on hemodialysis;
• in patients with diabetes;
• in case of protein metabolism disorders (amyloidosis);
• with atherogenic dyslipidemia;
• after biochemistry;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• excess body weight due to hormonal imbalance;
• infection after surgery.

CRP negative - what does it mean?

When deciphering the result of a blood test, the value may appear: CRP negative. This only means that no inflammatory processes requiring active therapeutic measures occur in the body. When the reference value does not contain numbers, but only a minus sign, then there is no reason for concern, and the CRP value is normal.

CRP positive

By analogy with the minus sign, the CRP value may be positive. Then you need to pay attention to the number of “pluses” indicated. Their number varies from one to four. The more “+”, the stronger the inflammatory or other negative process in the body. The doctor giving the interpretation of the analysis must quickly find the reason that influenced this result when C-reactive protein begins to actively increase.

Blood, showing the activity of reactive protein, is the most accurate and fastest method of confirming or denying the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.

What is SRB?

Due to timely and effective treatment, a biochemical blood test for CRP will reflect a reduction in concentration within a few days. The level will approach normal within 7-14 days from the start of taking the medication. If the disease has developed from an acute to a chronic form, then the concentration of CRP will gradually reach zero. But if the disease progresses to an acute stage, the rate will increase again.

What does a CRP blood test show?

The study allows you to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one. This is due to the fact that in a viral disease the protein level is slightly increased. But in the presence of a disease of a bacterial nature, even if it is only in the initial stage of development, the activity level of C-reactive protein in the blood serum increases several times.

Normally, a biochemical blood test for CRP, which reflects the activity of reactive protein in a healthy person, should show a negative result.

Indications for donating blood

The attending physician may refer his patient for a blood test for CRP in the following situations:

Preparing for this study

The material for a blood test reflecting the activity of reactive protein is venous blood. For the most reliable results when decoding a biochemical blood test, SRB, you must adhere to the following rules on the eve of the test:

Decoding the results

The results of a blood test for CRP can be summed up by your attending physician. Only a qualified specialist can accurately assess how much C-reactive protein has increased, as well as correlate this information with symptoms and prescribe appropriate therapy.

When reading a blood test for CRP, the result should normally be negative, but despite this, the accepted reference values ​​are 0-5 mg/l. Next, let us consider in more detail the results of the analysis showing the activity of the reactive protein:

• Less than 1 mg/l indicates a low probability of developing pathologies of the cardiovascular system and the occurrence of their complications.
• From 1 to 3 mg/l - indicates the average probability of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system and the occurrence of their complications.
• More than 3 mg/l means a high probability of developing cardiovascular pathologies in practically healthy patients, and also indicates a high probability of developing complications in patients.
• More than 10 mg/l - in this case, there is a need for a repeat blood test and additional diagnostic examination in order to determine the cause of the disease.

The normal range for CRP blood tests in women, men and children ranges from 0 to 5 mg/l. The normal level of C-reactive protein in the blood of newborns is 0-1.6 mg/l.

Thus, we can conclude: deciphering blood tests for CRP in adults and children shows that the norm for them is almost the same values.

CRP level during pregnancy

Elevated CRP levels are not dangerous for pregnant women, provided other tests are normal. Otherwise, there is a need to search for the cause of inflammation. During toxicosis, the level can increase to 115 mg/l. If the indicator increases to 8 mg/l during the period from the 5th to the 19th week of pregnancy, then there is a risk of miscarriage. The cause of an increase in CRP can be bacterial (over 180 mg/l) and viral infections (less than 19 mg/l).

For what reasons is the norm violated?

An increase in the concentration of C-reactive protein in a person indicates the presence of pathological changes. This indicator may increase by only a couple of units within the established norms, or it may increase exponentially, which allows us to evaluate the changes occurring in the patient’s body.

The level of reactive protein activity in the blood serum could deviate from the norm for the following reasons:

What can affect the result?

Various factors can lead to abnormalities in the SBR blood test.

Causes of elevated C-reactive protein include pregnancy, excessive physical activity, use of combined contraceptives, smoking, hormone replacement therapy, drinking alcohol immediately before the test, and the presence of implants.

Taking beta blockers, corticosteroids, statin drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen) will help reduce the concentration of C-reactive protein.

To determine the baseline C-reactive protein level, it is necessary to take CRP blood tests every two weeks after the disappearance of symptoms of any chronic or acute disease.

Let's sum it up

So, based on the above, we can draw the following conclusions.

For quite a long time, a blood test for the concentration of C-reactive protein remains a fairly informative indicator of the development of diseases. Even the emergence of the newest technologies is not able to displace it from medical practice.

Timely warning from a qualified physician will help determine the reliability of the test results. There have been cases when the attending physician had to prohibit further use of medications or postpone the date of the analysis to determine the concentration of CRP until the end of the patient’s course of treatment.

It is worth remembering that during pregnancy in women with toxicosis in the early and late stages, the activity of reactive protein in the blood may be increased.

As you know, whenever you contact a doctor with complaints about your health, the first step is to prescribe a biochemical blood test. What is so important that it shows that most diseases are determined by it? An increase in C-reactive protein indicates the presence/stage of a particular disease. It is produced in the human liver. At the same time, it is one of the most sensitive and quickly reacting substances. This means that fluctuations in its level can notify even the smallest focus of the disease.

In fact, CRP in the blood is necessary to activate immune reactions, that is, it is where the fight against the disease begins.

After its increase and with its direct participation, the creation of cells begins that act against foreign microorganisms and other infections.

How does CRP work in the blood?

First of all, it’s worth deciding on a list of ailments that cause the body’s immune response. These include:

• injuries (both external and internal);
• pre-infarction condition of a person (often helps prevent serious consequences if treated in a timely manner);
• benign tumors;
• tissue necrosis;
• malignant neoplasms (in the early stages, their identification gives a chance to get by with light medications without resorting to treatment with chemical courses or surgical intervention - up to complete amputation of the infected part of the body or death);
• etc.

That is, in fact, when internal organs or tissues are damaged, the body (whether it is attacked by a virus, or bacteria and other microorganisms are eaten from within a person, or it is just a blow, surgical intervention, etc.) begins to sound the alarm. At the same time, an “order” is given to the liver (namely, where C protein is produced) to begin actively producing this lifesaver. This usually takes about 5 or 6 hours after the infection or damage begins. Well, within a day, or rather the next day, a blood test for CRP will show an increase in its level simply significantly. Plus, C-reactive protein promotes phagocytosis of cells and removes fatty acids. Plus it processes lysophospholipid. That is, it plays a large role in the functioning of human immunity.

Why do doctors prescribe a reactive protein test?

It is worth considering the fact that biochemistry, like a blood test for CRP, will unmistakably show the inflammatory process in the body, in contrast, for example, to the ESR indicator (protein sedimentation rate), which can increase in the absence of any diseases. At the same time, a several-fold increase means that the body is most likely being attacked by an evil virus. And with a bacterial disease, especially in acute forms, CRP in the blood increases tenfold

Important: It is worth remembering that the sooner the patient sees a doctor and undergoes all tests, the higher the chance of identifying the source of the disease and preventing the onset of complications.

After all, any disease is easier to treat in its initial stages. And to determine the presence of infection, you just need to conduct a biochemical blood test for CRP. True, only the doctor himself can decipher it.

Typically, a biochemical blood test for CRP is prescribed:

• after implantation of tissues or organs (in this case, the result of the analysis will be able to promptly report the rejection of the transplanted materials);
• to check the success of treatment;
• when the patient exhibits symptoms of a chronic illness;
• to determine the extent of the disease;
• for allergic reactions;
• for timely detection of complications after surgery or infection/virus;
• at ;
• to diagnose a heart attack;
• during the acute phase of infectious diseases;
• as prevention in older people;
• etc.

Help: The amount of C-reactive protein is calculated based on its amount in milligrams per 1 liter of blood.

Norms of reactive protein in the blood

Reactive protein is almost never produced in a healthy body. Therefore, its content in the blood of an adult usually does not exceed 5 mg/liter, and in a child who has not yet reached the one-year mark, it is generally no more than 2 mg/l. As mentioned above, it is impossible to determine for yourself what these numbers mean. Since the doctor will look not only at this one result, but also compare fluctuations in the value over different periods of time. Plus study other tests and symptoms. But in any case, an increase in C-reactive protein indicates:

• no reason for concern if the value is less than 1 mg/l;
• risk of developing cardiovascular diseases with readings of 1 mg/l;
• the presence of an infection, virus, bacteria or other ailment with readings above 3 mg/l (in such a situation, additional tests are required to determine the diagnosis and exclude complications).

Attention: Do not ignore deviations from the normal level of C reactive protein in the blood.

In a healthy person, this indicator is so small that most often it is not even determined by biochemical analysis. But if it increases, then it is necessary to undergo additional research and begin a course of treatment so as not to lead to complications or death.

Help - a list of diseases in which CRP increases:

1. diabetes;
2. gastritis;
3. cardiac ischemia;
4. pre-infarction condition;
5. streptococcal meningitis;
6. infarction (myocardial);
7. neutropenia;
8. amyloidosis;
9. ulcer;
10. And so on.

As you know, the causes of these diseases can be not only viruses, but also hormonal imbalances, metabolic problems, sedentary work, and a generally sedentary life. However, a large proportion of the error is brought by strong physical exertion or pregnancy, as well as smoking or taking hormonal drugs.

Rules for passing biochemical analysis

It is worth noting that usually a complete recovery of health and, accordingly, the disappearance of C-reactive protein from the blood occurs on average after two weeks. In this case, it is better to “prepare” the body to reduce the error in the results. So, it is best to donate blood early in the morning, without eating anything for several hours, so that this does not directly affect the result.

Also, remove alcohol for a few days, and it is better not to take strong drugs before donating blood, refuse physiotherapeutic procedures, x-rays or fluorographic examinations.

Particular attention should be paid to physical activity and nutritional supplements. Many of them can seriously affect the results of biochemistry. For example, it has been proven that synthetic protein affects the result of a biochemical blood test for CRP more than others, distorting it.

From all this we can conclude that a biochemical blood test (or as it is more simply called by people - biochemistry) for the content of C-reactive protein is best taken at the first signs of illness.

The results should be given to the doctor, and not to engage in independent analysis followed by an attempt to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment for yourself.

As you know, it brought few people any good. And given the environmental situation in our time and the level of health in general, it is worth seriously thinking about completely abandoning self-medication. After all, the most effective treatment is at the onset of the disease in the early stages. And only a specialist can help here.

The term “reactive” does not mean speed in this case. This does not mean at all that the protein quickly moves through the tissues of the body. The name “reactive” means that this protein creates a reaction when harmful microorganisms enter the body. It is also called fast-phase protein, or CRP. CRP in a biochemical blood test is a very important indicator. An increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood indicates the disease.

Its main function is to stimulate the body's immune response to infectious attacks. Any disruption of the tissues of the human body triggers an inflammatory process. This causes active release of interleukins. These substances stimulate the liver to produce CRP. This moment is characterized by its increased synthesis; in the analysis, CRP increases.

In parallel with the synthesis of proteins, the process of activation of the human immune system occurs. Its goal is to neutralize the harmful microorganism. The main cells of the immune system are leukocytes. They penetrate the shell of a foreign body, destroying its structure, thereby neutralizing it. In this case, the leukocyte itself dies. In addition, the immune system stimulates the process of regeneration of body tissues.

When a sufficient concentration of reactive protein is reached, it is delivered to the site of inflammation. The CRP protein accurately identifies harmful microorganisms and attaches to them. This makes the infection more visible to immune system cells.

Stimulation of the immune response contributes to the rapid elimination of the causative agent of the source of infection.

To study the concentration of C-reactive protein, a biochemical blood test for CRP is prescribed. Abnormalities in C-reactive protein in the blood will indicate the stage of the disease and the extent of the damage.

Why is analysis needed?

The reasons why blood tests for CRP are prescribed in children and adults are significant. Reactive protein in the blood is an accurate indicator of the onset of the disease. Its level will increase first. Biochemistry is often the only way to diagnose some diseases. The CRP indicator in the analysis displays the number of grams of protein per liter of blood. This study is carried out to identify the source of infection. There are standards under which C-reactive protein is not an indicator of pathology.

Modern laboratory research techniques are very sensitive and allow one to accurately determine the concentration of CRP in the blood. If previously a value of up to 10 mg/l was considered the absence of reactive protein, today corridors of values ​​have been developed that may indicate the preconditions for the occurrence of the disease. Correct interpretation of the results of biochemical analysis in the blood of SBR is very important for the early diagnosis of serious infectious diseases.

A reactive protein test is prescribed if the symptoms the patient presented with indicate the onset of the disease. Reactive protein is elevated in the following pathologies:

• Acute infectious inflammation.
• The appearance of malignant and benign tumors.
• Development of complications in the postoperative period.

The reasons why a biochemical blood test for C-reactive protein is prescribed may not be related to the diagnosis of the disease. It is very important to conduct such studies in elderly people.

If you detect in a timely manner that protein is increasing, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, prevent myocardial infarction, diabetes and other deadly diseases.

Why, by determining the level of protein, can one draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of the therapy in a child or adult? The protein concentration accurately indicates the stage of healing of the internal organs and tissues of the body. If its level in the blood is elevated, this indicates slow tissue regeneration.

Determination of protein parameters is carried out in patients who have undergone treatment for diseases of the heart and vascular system. For patients at risk of coronary heart disease, timely testing of CRP biochemical analysis in the blood helps to avoid the serious consequences of a heart attack. If you have angina pectoris, the protein level will be an indicator to determine the likelihood of death.

How to decipher the analysis result

Decoding the analysis is a complex process that must be dealt with by the attending physician. In healthy people, reactive protein is not diagnosed in the blood. Or its level is so low that laboratory tests do not take this indicator into account.

A biochemical blood test for CRP in healthy adults can show up to 5 mg/l. In newborns, the norm of SRP in the blood is 15 mg/l higher. At higher levels, infants are examined for the presence of sepsis. During pregnancy, a blood test can be considered normal, with increased levels up to 20 mg/l. Taking certain medications can reduce the levels.

When C-reactive protein in the blood increases, several corridors are identified in medicine, and when entered, the indicator deciphers the stage of the disease or the level of risk of its occurrence. They are shown in the table:

Additional studies to decipher the results

A sharp jump in CRP levels most often indicates damage to the tissues of internal organs. Very often the cause of such damage is rheumatic syndrome.

Therefore, when the protein level is above 10 mg/l, an additional test is prescribed, which is called rheumatoid factor. This indicator, with an accuracy of 60%, determines such a serious disease as rheumatoid arthritis.

When attacked by a pathogenic organism, B lymphocytes change their structure, but retain the ability to synthesize antibodies (ig). Our body recognizes these antibodies as a foreign microorganism and forms immunoglobulin complexes against them. These complexes are called rheumatoid factor. The accumulation of such cells negatively affects the walls of blood vessels, damaging them. There is a simpler definition of what rheumatoid factor is. In fact, it is an ordinary protein that is perceived by our body as a foreign harmful body. If the doctor has suspicions about the occurrence of these processes, then in addition to CRP, he will definitely prescribe a test for rheumatoid factor. This laboratory test uses blood from a vein.

To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to analysis for rheumatoid factor, X-ray diagnostics, vascular scintigraphy, arthroscopy and others are used.

In contact with

With timely and effective treatment, a CRP blood test will show a decrease in protein concentration within a few days. The indicator normalizes 7-14 days after starting medication. If the disease has passed from the acute stage to the chronic stage, then the value of C-reactive protein in the blood serum will gradually become zero. But as the disease worsens, it will increase again.

A biochemical blood test, CRP, makes it possible to distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one. Since with the viral nature of the disease, the protein level does not increase much. But with a bacterial infection, even if it has just begun to develop, the concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood increases exponentially.

In a healthy person, CRP is normally negative.

When to send for a biochemical blood test CRP

The doctor sends the patient a biochemical blood test for CRP in the following cases:

1. Preventive examination of elderly patients.
2. Determination of the likelihood of cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and on hemodialysis.
3. Examination of patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease to prevent possible complications: sudden cardiac death, stroke, myocardial infarction.
4. Identification of complications after coronary bypass surgery.
5. Assessing the risk of restenosis, recurrent myocardial infarction, and death after angioplasty in patients with acute coronary syndrome or exertional angina.
6. Monitoring the effectiveness of prevention and treatment of cardiovascular complications using statins and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in patients with cardiac problems.
7. Collagenosis (to determine the effectiveness of therapy and the reactivity of the process).
8. Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of bacterial infections (for example, meningitis, neonatal sepsis) with antibacterial drugs.
9. Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of chronic diseases (amyloidosis).
10. Neoplasms.
11. Acute infectious diseases.

How to prepare for analysis

Venous blood is donated for a biochemical blood test for CRP. On the eve of blood sampling, you must adhere to simple rules:

• Do not drink alcohol, fatty or fried foods.
• Try to avoid physical and emotional stress.
• Last meal 12 hours before analysis.
• You should not drink juice, tea or coffee before the test. You can quench your thirst only with still water.
• You should not smoke 30 minutes before donating blood.

Analysis transcript

The CRP blood test must be deciphered by a doctor. Only a specialist will be able to correctly assess how much the C-reactive protein level has increased, compare this with the symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Although the normal biochemical blood test for CRP is negative, reference positive values ​​of 0 to 5 mg/l are accepted. Let's look at the indicators of DRR and condition, they are shown in the table.

C-reactive protein during pregnancy

Elevated CRP levels are not dangerous for a pregnant woman if other tests are normal. Otherwise, it is necessary to look for the cause of the inflammatory process. With toxicosis, readings may increase to 115 mg/l. When increasing to 8 mg/l from 5 to 19 weeks, there is a risk of miscarriage. The reason for an increase in CRP can be viral infections (if the indicator is up to 19 mg/l), bacterial infections (if the indicator is above 180 mg/l).

Reasons for deviations

• Acute bacterial (neonatal sepsis) and viral (tuberculosis) infections.
• Meningitis.
• Postoperative complications.
• Neutropenia.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Tissue damage (trauma, burn, surgery, acute myocardial infarction).
• Malignant neoplasms and metastases. (an increase in the level of CRP is observed in cancer of the lungs, prostate, stomach, ovaries and other tumor sites)
• Arterial hypertension.
• Diabetes.
• Excess body weight.
• Hormonal imbalance (increased levels of progesterone or estrogen).
• Systemic rheumatic diseases.
• Atherogenic dyslipidemia (decreased cholesterol levels, increased triglyceride concentrations).
• A chronic inflammatory process associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular diseases and the occurrence of their complications.
• Exacerbation of chronic inflammatory (immunopathological and infectious) diseases.
• Reaction of transplant rejection.
• Myocardial infarction (an increased level of CRP is determined on the 2nd day of the disease; by the beginning of the 3rd week, the value of C-reactive protein returns to normal).
• Secondary amyloidosis.

What can affect the analysis result?

Pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives, intense physical activity, hormone replacement therapy, and smoking can cause an increased CRP blood test value.