Inflammation and CRP
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by your liver in response to inflammation. Elevated CRP levels may indicate a serious health condition that triggers inflammation.
Understanding Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural process that helps your body protect and heal injured tissues. However, chronic inflammation can damage healthy cells.
CRP Test
A CRP test measures the level of CRP in your blood. High CRP levels suggest inflammation, but the test cannot pinpoint the cause or location of the inflammation.
Causes of Inflammation
Inflammation can be caused by:
* Infections
* Autoimmune disorders
* Injuries
* Repeated tissue irritation (e.g., from smoking or environmental toxins)
Selecting a Blood Lab
For routine blood tests:
* Choose a lab with a good reputation and positive online reviews.
* Consider the location and convenience of the facility.
* Ask your doctor or friends/family for recommendations.
Process of Getting a Blood Test
1. Schedule an appointment at the lab.
2. Provide a blood sample.
3. Wait for the results (sometimes sent directly to your doctor).
DDxHub is a concentrator that holds a lot of disease descriptions. It relies on the System knowledgebase to diagnose a health condition.
Differential diagnosis Hub is the System distinguishing of a particular disease or health condition from others.