When should I know the results of my C-reactive protein (CRP) test?
In most cases, you should have your CRP test results within one or two days, though it could take longer.
What type of results do you get for a C-reactive protein (CRP) test?
Blood test reports, including CRP blood test reports, usually provide the following information:
- The name of the blood test or what was measured in your blood.
- The number or measurement of your blood test result.
- The normal measurement range for that test.
- Information that indicates if your result is normal or abnormal or high or low.
What is the normal range for a CRP test?
Laboratories have different reference ranges for normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. When you get your blood test results back, there will be information that indicates what that lab’s normal CRP range is.
In general, the normal CRP level is less than 0.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Many factors can affect your CRP level. Minor CRP level elevation may be due to the following conditions or situations:
People assigned female at birth and elderly people have naturally higher levels of CRP.
If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.
What does a high CRP level mean?
If you have a moderately to severely elevated CRP level, it probably means you have some type of inflammation. But a CRP test can’t show the cause of the inflammation or where it is in your body. Because of this, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests if your result shows a high CRP level.
How high your CRP level is can mean different things.
Moderate elevation
A CRP test result of 1.0 to 10.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is generally considered a moderately elevated level. This result may indicate any of the following conditions:
Marked elevation
A CRP test result of more than 10 mg/dL is generally considered a marked elevation. This result may indicate any of the following conditions:
- Acute bacterial infections.
- Viral infections.
- Systemic vasculitis.
- Major injury (trauma).
Severe elevation
A CRP test result of more than 50 mg/dL is generally considered severe elevation. Results over 50 mg/L are associated with acute bacterial infections about 90% of the time.
What does a low CRP level mean?
Since the normal CRP level is generally less than 0.9 mg/dL, there’s no such thing as a lower than normal CRP level.
If you previously had a high CRP result and now have a lower result, it likely means your inflammation is decreasing and/or your treatment for the inflammation is working.
Should I be concerned if my CRP level is abnormal?
If your CRP test results reveal that you have high levels of CRP, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment, especially if they’re only slightly elevated. Several factors, such as smoking, recent injury and certain health conditions, can raise your CRP levels. There could’ve also been an error in the collection, transport or processing of the test.
If you have an abnormal result, your healthcare provider will discuss your results with you. They may order additional tests to determine the cause of your abnormal CRP levels.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Seeing an abnormal test result can be stressful. Know that having an elevated CRP level doesn’t necessarily mean you have a medical condition and need treatment. Approximately 1 in 20 healthy people will have results outside of the normal range. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you need to have further tests to determine the cause of the abnormal level. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider questions. They’re available to help you.
FAQs
What is it used for? A CRP test may be used to help find or monitor inflammation in acute or chronic conditions, including: Infections from bacteria or viruses. Inflammatory bowel disease, disorders of the intestines that include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
What is the purpose of the CRP test? ›
What is it used for? A CRP test may be used to help find or monitor inflammation in acute or chronic conditions, including: Infections from bacteria or viruses. Inflammatory bowel disease, disorders of the intestines that include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
What do CRP levels tell you? ›
The C-reactive protein (CRP) blood test checks for inflammation in your body. A CRP blood test will show if there is inflammation in your body. A CRP blood test also helps to see how well you are responding to treatment. No special preparation is needed for a CRP blood test.
What does it mean if your C-reactive protein is high? ›
A high test result is a sign of inflammation. It may be due to serious infection, injury or chronic disease. Your health care provider may recommend other tests to determine the cause.
What is a normal CRP level? ›
Interpretation of CRP levels:
Less than 0.3 mg/dL: Normal (level seen in most healthy adults). 0.3 to 1.0 mg/dL: Normal or minor elevation (can be seen in obesity, pregnancy, depression, diabetes, common cold, gingivitis, periodontitis, sedentary lifestyle, cigarette smoking, and genetic polymorphisms).
What disease can CRP detect? ›
What is this test? The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is used to find inflammation in your body. Inflammation could be caused by different types of conditions, such as an infection or autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. This test measures the amount of CRP in your blood.
What is an alarming CRP? ›
Generally, a CRP level of less than 10 mg/L is considered normal. CRP levels between 10 and 100 mg/L indicate mild to moderate inflammation, while levels above 100 mg/L indicate severe inflammation.
What level of CRP indicates arthritis? ›
Normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels
| C-reactive protein level (in milligrams per liter of blood) in adults | What it means |
|---|
| 10.0–100.0 | moderately elevated, which signifies infection or an inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease, or lupus |
4 more rowsSubstantially raised CRP values are usually found in pneumonia,3-6 and a high CRP value has been shown to be a strong predictor for this disease in general practice. However, raised CRP values may also be found in uncomplicated viral respiratory infections, particularly those caused by influenza virus and adenovirus.
Is a positive CRP good or bad? ›
A CRP test result of more than 50 mg/dL is generally considered severe elevation. Results over 50 mg/L are associated with acute bacterial infections about 90% of the time.
Avoid Foods That Cause Inflammation: Processed meals, sugary snacks, and excessive consumption of red meat can all contribute to inflammation. Limiting these foods in your diet can help lower CRP levels.
What autoimmune disease causes high CRP? ›
A wide variety of inflammatory conditions can cause elevated CRP levels, including :
- autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and certain types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- pericarditis, which is inflammation of the lining of the heart.
Cyclooxygenase inhibitors (aspirin, rofecoxib, celecoxib), platelet aggregation inhibitors (clopidogrel, abciximab), lipid lowering agents (statins, ezetimibe, fenofibrate, niacin, diets), beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists and antioxidants (vitamin E), as well as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (ramipril, ...
How to bring CRP levels down? ›
Limiting or avoiding inflammatory foods like refined carbohydrates, fried foods, red meat and processed meat can help reduce CRP. Instead, focus on eating more anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, nuts, fatty fish and whole grains.
What is a critical level of CRP? ›
You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0 mg/L. You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L. You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L.
What is a safe CRP level? ›
Normal Range of CRP Level in the Blood
A normal range falls between 0 to 3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of blood. Elevated levels may signal an underlying health concern. While there is no such thing as a “low” CRP level, the normal range is generally less than 0.9 mg/dL.
What is the point of care CRP test? ›
C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (CRP POC) is a well-established diagnostic and prognostic tool that, if used in primary care settings, may have a role in the fight against antibiotic over-prescription in patients with LRTI symptoms.
What to do if CRP is positive? ›
If you're at high risk of cardiovascular disease and your test results show high CRP, your doctor may suggest a statin or other cholesterol-lowering medication. Vitamin C has also been explored as a way to lower CRP levels for people who have an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.
Why do we monitor CRP? ›
Even though the liver synthesizes CRP in response to certain factors released by macrophages and adipocytes, owing to its comparatively short half-life of 18 hours, CRP level in blood can be monitored frequently and utilized as a marker for resolution/worsening of infection as well as inflammation.
