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C-reactive protein is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It can develop in the body in response to a variety of diseases, from infections to cancer. While the CRP value higher than 10 mg / L may already indicate inflammation, its level during an infection may increase up to 1000 times a day.
The CRP test is included in the basic test packages for women (Women’s health check – diagnostic blood tests) and men (Prophylactic blood tests for men), which can be purchased at Medonet Market.
What diseases may be evidenced by an increased concentration of C-reactive protein?
High CRP and cardiovascular diseases
Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. According to the study (Physicians’ Health Study), men with elevated CRP were three times more likely to develop a heart attack than participants with normal protein levels. The analysis was carried out among people who had not previously suffered from heart disease. CRP is recommended by the American Heart Association as cardiovascular disease risk index in asymptomatic people and with stable angina.
Markers such as hsCRP (highly sensitive C-reactive protein) also provide information on the severity or possible effects of a stroke. Studies have also shown that elevated hsCRP indicates a future risk of cardiovascular disease, including transient ischemic attack, in the elderly. A high concentration of c-reactive protein was found in about 75 percent. patients after acute ischemic stroke. It was found that people who show elevated levels of protein after similar incidents require more intensive medical care.
Moreover, according to Celevelnad Clinic, high levels of c-reactive protein can determine the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in women more effectively than cholesterol levels.
Consult the test results with your doctor. If in doubt, you can get a second opinion and schedule an e-visit without leaving your home. Register and submit your medical records and talk to your doctor online.
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the body attacks its own healthy tissue in the joints. This leads to inflammation which results in pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. People suffering from this condition often have elevated levels of CRP.
Other autoimmune diseases include inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and undefined colitis. People between the ages of 20 and 40 develop these diseases most often. Although the reasons for their development are not entirely clear, it is assumed that they are the result of immune disorders caused by environmental factors in people with a genetic predisposition.
If your muscles and joints hurt, you can try food supplements with Boswellia, which has a health-promoting effect. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
High CRP levels and cancer
Especially high CRP concentration occurs in people suffering from neoplastic diseases – in their case it may even exceed 500 mg / L. This is typical especially for neoplasms of the haematopoietic system. Such a high level of c-reactive protein combined with a change in the ESR value may indicate malignant changes.
A 2008 study shows that inflammatory processes play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. Moreover, elevated protein levels correlate with a worse prognosis of patients with androgen-dependent prostate cancer. In contrast, researchers in Denmark have linked higher CRP levels to the risk of lung and colon cancer.
Other possible causes of increased CRP
CRP levels are usually higher in smokers, obese people, and women using hormonal contraception. The increased value of this marker is recorded in patients after trauma or surgery. Other diseases accompanied by an increase in the level of c-reactive protein include: viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, pancreatitis and diabetes.
To check your CRP level, buy a home blood CRP test now at Medonet Market.
Also check what the CRP test looks like and how to interpret the test result in a child.
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