Why is this procedure done?
C-reactive protein is also known as CRP. It is a protein that is made by the liver. CRP is released in the blood when there is tissue damage. Inflammation, infection, or swelling in the body can cause tissue damage. This test cannot diagnose a specific illness. It can only show if there is inflammation inside the body. Your doctor may order this test to: ‚
- Check your response to treatments
- Check for arthritis, autoimmune disease, or other inflammatory disease
- Check your risk for cardiovascular disease and events such as heart attack and stroke
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What will the results be?
- The doctor will look at the results of your test. The doctor will know if you have an illness that needs treatment.
- If the results are normal, it means your body is likely working in a normal way.
- If the results are not normal, you may have some inflammation, swelling, or infection.
- Your doctor may order another test. This will help check a result that is not normal or to learn more about a diagnosis.
- The doctor will talk with you about treatment.
What happens before the procedure?
- There are no special things to do before the test.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements.
- If you have any bleeding problems
- Your daily alcohol intake and cigarette use
What happens during the procedure?
It will only take a few minutes to have this test. You will be awake the whole time. You will have a small amount of blood taken from you with a needle. You may have a small amount of pain. The needle will be taken out and a bandage will be put on your skin. The lab will test your blood to see how much CRP is in it. ‚
What happens after the procedure?
- You may want to sit quietly for a few minutes before standing up. This will help keep you from feeling dizzy after the test.
- Ask your doctor when you will get the results.
What care is needed at home?
You may do your everyday activities when you get back home. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Together you can make a plan for more care.
- Your doctor may send you to a specialist if your CRP test result turns out to be abnormal.
What problems could happen?
- Pain
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Feeling dizzy
- Fainting
- Infection
Where can I learn more?
American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/crp/tab/test ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/test_crp.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚