SAMPLES NEEDED

Our C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test basically is a single test requiring a blood sample. No fasting or preparation is required by the patient before testing. To perform this test you will need to visit your laboratory of choice for the collection of a Blood sample.

The C-reactive protein is protein produced primarily by the liver during an acute inflammatory process. And other diseases. C-reactive protein is a nonspecific, acute-phase reactant used to diagnose bacterial infectious disease and inflammatory disorders such as acute rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis. C-reactive protein appears in higher amounts when there is inflammation or swelling somewhere in the body.

It is a more sensitive and rapidly responding indicator than the erythrocytes sedimentation rates (ESR). The CRP test is also useful in evaluating patients with an acute myocardial infarction. The level of CRP correlates with a peak level of the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase, but CRP peaks 1 to 3 days later. Failure of CRP to normalize may indicate ongoing damage to the heart tissue.

A recent development of high sensitivity assay for CRP (hs-CRP) has enabled accurate assays at even low levels. The C-reactive protein level is a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events than the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level. However, when used together with the lipid profile, it adds prognostic information to that conveyed by the Framingham risk score.