{"id":47760,"date":"2021-12-21T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2021-12-21T14:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=47760"},"modified":"2024-08-11T16:39:48","modified_gmt":"2024-08-11T20:39:48","slug":"normal-crp-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/normal-crp-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"What are normal CRP levels?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Normal CRP levels<\/a> | CRP test<\/a> | High CRP levels<\/a> | Causes<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | How to lower CRP levels<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

A CRP test measures blood levels of a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP). But what is C-reactive protein? The liver produces CRP in response to inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body’s healing response. When a wound or injury swells, reddens, and hurts, that’s one form of inflammation, and it’s the body’s natural reaction to trauma, infection, and disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

The inflammatory process prompts the immune system to send healing white blood cells to the affected area. These first responder cells produce chemicals, called cytokines, that make the blood vessels larger, allowing more blood, oxygen, and cells to the area. The increased blood flow causes redness, warmth, and swelling. In acute inflammation, the body responds appropriately to harm or infection, and the process lasts from hours to several days. However, in chronic inflammation, the response persists, and the body remains in a state of high alert. This low-grade inflammation may begin damaging healthy tissues and <\/span>causing problems<\/span><\/a> throughout the body. As a result, chronic inflammation is thought to be harmful and can contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic health conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

When inflammation occurs, the concentration of serum proteins called acute phase reactants increases. CRP is one of the acute phase reactants. C-reactive protein tests are a type of inflammation blood test that help healthcare providers identify inflammation and monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment. <\/span>Inflammation is a complex, highly orchestrated process that involves many different cell types. These different cells can initiate, amplify, sustain, or get rid of inflammation. <\/span>They are also a predictor of cardiovascular disease. This article describes what CRP tests are and helps explain the meaning of different CRP levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is inflammation?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What are normal CRP levels?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Laboratories measure CRP in milligrams of CRP per liter of blood (mg\/L). In healthy adults, normal CRP levels should be less than <\/span>3 mg\/L<\/span><\/a>, although reference ranges vary. In fact, the<\/span> level of CRP that is truly normal is not known. <\/span>Typically, CRP levels above 3.0 mg\/L indicate inflammation. CRP value also normally increases with age, in African American individuals, and in females.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The table below shows what the different CRP levels could indicate. But bear in mind that these ranges vary slightly between laboratories.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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CRP levels chart<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

CRP level<\/b><\/td>\nElevation<\/b><\/td>\nMeaning<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Less than 3 mg\/L<\/span><\/td>\nNormal<\/span><\/td>\nCommonly seen in healthy adults<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3 to 10 mg\/L<\/span><\/td>\nNormal or minor elevation<\/span><\/td>\nPotentially due to pregnancy, depression, diabetes, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, or cardiovascular risk\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10 to 100 mg\/L<\/span><\/td>\nModerate elevation<\/span><\/td>\nAutoimmune diseases, cancers, bronchitis, heart attack<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greater than 100 mg\/L<\/span><\/td>\nMarked elevation<\/span><\/td>\nAcute bacterial or viral infection, or significant trauma<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Greater than 500 mg\/L<\/span><\/td>\nSevere elevation<\/span><\/td>\nAcute bacterial infections<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How is CRP tested?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The C-reactive protein test requires a blood test, usually from a vein in the arm. It shouldn’t hurt aside from a slight sting when the needle enters and leaves the vein to take a blood sample. There’s usually no special preparation like fasting or avoiding liquids before the test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Factors that can affect CRP levels<\/span><\/h3>\n

Certain factors<\/span><\/a> affect C-reactive protein levels, including:<\/span><\/p>\n