Published: 27 Aug 2024

For example, if you cut your skin, it may turn red, swell, and hurt for a few days.
CRP is a protein that your liver makes. Inflammation can also happen inside your body.
If inflammation lasts too long, it can damage healthy tissues. This is called chronic (long-term) inflammation. High levels of CRP may mean you have a serious health condition that causes inflammation.
Inflammation is your body's way of protecting your tissues and helping them heal from an injury, infection, or other disease. A c-reactive protein test measures the level of c-reactive protein (CRP) in a sample of your blood. Your liver releases more CRP into your bloodstream if you have inflammation in your body. Those are signs of inflammation. Chronic inflammation can also happen if your tissues are repeatedly injured or irritated, for example from smoking or chemicals in the environment.
A CRP test can show whether you have inflammation in your body and how much. Normally, you have low levels of c-reactive protein in your blood. This type of inflammation is usually helpful. But the test can't show what's causing the inflammation or which part of your body is inflamed.Chronic infections, certain autoimmune disorders, and other diseases can cause harmful chronic inflammation. Inflammation can be acute (sudden) and temporary.

You likely have lots of questions about the process and results.
A routine blood test consists of getting blood taken at your doctor's office or at a lab. Blood can tell you about your organ function, diet, metabolism, illnesses, and if you have certain diseases. Often you're done in less than five minutes.
What Can Blood Tests Detect? The reasons for getting your blood tested vary. That's why doctors encourage their patients to get routine blood work done.
By analyzing the blood, scientists can detect illnesses before it's too late. It can tell you hundreds of things about your lifestyle and habits. Or, they can explain why you've been "feeling off" for the last few months.
Getting blood taken can be scary for those who've never done it, especially children. In a routine blood test, it might just be to check that nothing has changed since your last healthy test result.Usually, the technician, nurse, or doctor will have you sit down on a chair with your feet on the ground.
This might seem scary, but it's quite straightforward.