What does a CRP blood test measure?
Answered by the AskDoc Medical Team · Medically reviewed under our Medical Director, MBBS
CRP is a smoke detector for inflammation anywhere: infections, flares of autoimmune disease, injury and more all raise it. It shouts that something is happening without saying what or where.
Very high levels lean bacterial; mild elevations are frustratingly nonspecific, even obesity and smoking nudge CRP up chronically.
Its best use is trend and context: falling CRP confirms treatment is working. A mildly raised CRP in a well person usually merits a recheck rather than a hunt. Interpretation belongs beside your symptoms, not on its own.
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