- C-reactive protein lives in your liver and helps with gut health by fighting inflammation and infection.
- A doctor can determine if your C-reactive protein levels are off through a simple blood test.
- There are C-reactive protein powder supplements available if you need to bring your CRP levels back into balance.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a type of protein in your liver that helps fight inflammation, disease, and illness throughout your body. If you are experiencing inflammation in your stomach, the CRP will kick in and help to fight off the inflammation.
CRP powder is a supplement that builds up the protein in your bloodstream, specifically for the natural C-reactive protein that is located in your liver. If you need additional CRP for your body, your doctor may recommend taking CRP powder in order to regulate the amount of CRP in your body.
In order to identify the need for CRP in your body, you will need to order a CRP test at the doctor. This test measures the amount and type of concentration of CRP in your bloodstream. Your doctor will then be able to recommend a supplement to help you.
The FDA does offer some guidance with regard to CRP, although they do not regulate every CRP supplement found on the market.
For more information on C-reactive protein, watch this short video:
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How Does the CRP Test Work?
Due to the fact that CRP is directly connected to the defenses of your immune system, the test is based on a white cell blood count and how inflamed the lining of your stomach is.
An acute, high-positive test would be an extremely inflamed stomach.
A test result which is high-positive indicates the CRP in your body is not functioning properly. It could also mean you may need a supplement in order to regulate your levels of CRP.
In addition to a standard CRP test, doctors may use the very same test to indicate the status of certain arthritis treatments in a specific patient. This test would be used to monitor the patient and the different degrees of their disease, rather than to actually indicate a specific treatment for the individual.
You could also order an Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate test — or Sed Rate (ESR) test — which is a similar test to the CRP. The ESR test is not as quick to display the results as a CRP test, though.
In an ESR test, your blood level may remain elevated for a longer time than the CRP test.
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If Your CRP Test Is Positive, What Does That Mean?
If your CRP test comes back positive, you may be at risk for many diseases or disorders. A positive test result doesn’t, however, mean you have those specific diseases.
There are CRP tests that come back positive yet just mean you may have an infection or inflammation of your stomach that is curable.
Other diseases or disorders that are linked to a positive CRP test include:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Tuberculosis
- Heart attack
- Lupus
- Rheumatic fever
- Rheumatoid arthritis
You could also be pregnant or be unable to take certain contraceptives if your CRP test does indeed come back positive.
Although a positive CRP test may worry you at the thought of being at risk for one of these diseases, it is most likely that your physician needs to order some additional tests in order to diagnose the exact reason for the positive test results.
Why Do Doctors Recommend a CRP Test?
Doctors may indicate you need a CRP test in order to check for the following conditions:
- Cancer in your lymph nodes
- Swelling of your blood vessels
- Swelling of your joints or tissues
- Swelling or bleeding of the intestines
- Infection of a bone
- To check for infections after a surgical procedure
After a surgical procedure, the CRP levels in your body may increase for up to seven hours, yet they typically lower after that time frame. However, if the levels stay increased beyond seven hours, doctors may keep an eye on your CRP levels to ensure there is no infection.
If your CRP levels stay elevated for up to three days, there may be an infection present from the surgery.
Also, if you are receiving treatment for cancer, a doctor may order a CRP test in order to monitor the treatment to make sure it is going as planned. If your treatment is going well, your CRP levels should rise and decrease gradually and consistently.
The test is performed via a regular blood test, as you would for any other procedure at the doctor’s office or a hospital. While you are waiting for the results, some doctors may recommend that you remain in the hospital if you are undergoing specific treatment or threatened with a specific disease.
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