C-REACTIVE PROTEIN; CRP (NHC)

The C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (NHC) test is a blood test that measures the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), one of the body’s most sensitive markers of inflammation. CRP is produced by the liver in response to inflammation, infection, tissue injury, or other inflammatory conditions. Its levels can rise rapidly—often by 100-fold or more—following severe bacterial infections, trauma, surgery, or certain cancers. Measuring CRP helps healthcare providers identify and monitor systemic inflammatory processes.

The CRP test is commonly used to detect acute or chronic inflammation, evaluate bacterial infections, monitor the response to antibiotic therapy, and distinguish between active and inactive inflammatory diseases, particularly when infection is suspected. It is also valuable in assessing disease activity in autoimmune disorders and monitoring recovery after surgery or severe illness. Because CRP is a non-specific marker of inflammation, the results should always be interpreted together with the patient’s symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and other laboratory findings. The CRP test provides important clinical information for early diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and evaluation of inflammatory conditions.