CRP (C-reactive protein) is a protein produced in the liver. Our body responds in a complex way to infections, tumours and trauma. Increased serum CRP concentration, increased body temperature and increased white blood cell count are part of the response. This physiological response is aimed at eliminating the causative agent of infection or inflammation, reducing tissue damage and activating the body's repair mechanism. Serum CRP (C-reactive protein) concentrations are very low in healthy people. With the onset of the response mentioned here, the serum concentration rises rapidly and can increase up to 1000 times within 24 hours. When the factor causing the increase in CRP is eliminated, the amount of CRP in the serum decreases within 18-20 hours and falls back to normal levels. CRP test is used as a parameter in the diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, and in monitoring the response to treatment.

How is the CRP (C-reactive protein) value measured?

In the laboratory, a blood sample is taken and the CRP concentration in your blood serum is measured. CRP test is not affected by fasting and satiety. There is no change in its values during the day, it can be done at any time. However, since some of the tests that are likely to be performed together require fasting, it is preferably measured while fasting.

Why is CRP (C-reactive protein) measured?

It may be ordered by your doctor to clarify the diagnosis of conditions such as infection, any inflammatory disease, tumour formation or tumour metastasis, heart attack and stroke risk. In addition, if you are being treated for these diseases, the measurement may also be requested to understand the response to treatment.

What is the HS-CRP test? Why is it done?

Recent studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases are related to the deterioration of the vessel wall and the formation of 'atherosclerotic plaque', commonly known as atherosclerosis. Inflammatory mechanisms are thought to play a role in the deterioration of the vessel wall and narrowing of the vessel by plaque formation. The fact that CRP (C-reactive protein) is isolated not from healthy vessels but from vessels in which plaque formation (atherosclerotic) is formed has made CRP measurement an important parameter for the detection of cardiovascular diseases.

An elevated CRP level indicates inflammation (in the arteries of the heart), which leads to an increased risk of heart attack. In the period after a heart attack, an elevated CRP level may be a concern. If you have a higher risk of heart disease or other inflammatory diseases than the general population, your doctor may also order a hs-CRP (high-sensitivity CRP) test instead of a CRP (C-reactive protein) test.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the use of CRP in cardiovascular risk assessment. The risk classification is as follows. Hs-CRP

• 1 mg/L, low risk

• 1-3mg/L is medium risk

• 3 mg/L is considered high risk for heart diseases.

What is the normal value of CRP?

It is low in newborns but rises after a few days and reaches adult values. The average serum CRP level in healthy individuals is 1.0 mg/L. With ageing, the mean value of CRP may increase to 2.0 mg/L. In 90% of healthy individuals, CRP level is below 3.0 mg/L. CRP values above 3 mg/L are not normal, even if there is no obvious disease picture, it is thought that there is an underlying disease. Some laboratories give CRP concentration in mg/dL. In this case, the result can be evaluated as 1/10 of mg/L.

In which diseases is the CRP (C-reactive protein) value increased?

• Infections

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Meningitis

• Inflammatory (inflammatory) diseases

  
  

  Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), familial Mediterranean fever, Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis (joint rheumatism), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• Acute Pancreatitis

• Trauma, burns and fractures

• Organ and tissue damage

• After surgical interventions

• Cancer

Apart from these conditions, a small amount of elevation can also be seen during pregnancy. CRP increase has been observed in women receiving hormone replacement therapy after menopause. Higher values may be observed in smokers and in the presence of obesity.

What does an increase in CRP (C-reactive protein) in the blood mean?

In healthy people, the plasma CRP value is very low. An elevated CRP value indicates inflammation or infection in the body, a risk of stroke or heart attack, a recent heart attack, tissue death or a tumour. It also gives the doctor an idea about the course of the disease that caused the CRP elevation. It is not a specific finding in terms of disease diagnosis, i.e. a diagnosis cannot be made only on the basis of an elevated C-reactive protein value. In order to make a diagnosis, other examination methods, including physical examination, and findings obtained from examinations are evaluated together.

Can an increase in CRP (C-reactive protein) be felt?

The increase in CRP value is not felt directly, but CRP increases in the presence of inflammation and infection. Symptoms specific to inflammation such as increased body temperature, local temperature increase, pain, redness, swelling or weakness, fatigue can be felt.

What does a decrease in CRP (C-reactive protein) mean?

The normal value of CRP (C-reactive protein) in blood plasma is below 1.0 mg/L. In other words, it is found in very low amounts. The lower the value, the lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases or inflammatory diseases. If you already have a certain disease and your value has decreased after the treatment you have received for that disease, it shows that you respond well to the treatment. For example, if your CRP value has increased due to a severe bacterial infection and your CRP value has decreased after antibiotic treatment, this means that the infection has disappeared.

How is the C-reactive protein (C-reactive protein) value reduced?

CRP (C-reactive protein) is a marker for the diseases mentioned above. In order for the CRP value to decrease, the underlying disease must be diagnosed and treatment must be planned. When the underlying disease is treated, the CRP value also decreases in response to treatment. There is no drug treatment directly aimed at lowering the CRP value.

It is possible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes by making changes in living habits, except in cases of obvious illness. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes cause the CRP value to rise. When we make changes in our living habits as a precaution against these diseases, we can indirectly reduce the CRP value. These measures are not only related to CRP, but also measures to protect health in general.

To give an example

• Getting rid of excess weight

• Quit smoking and avoid exposure to cigarette smoke

• Moderation in alcohol consumption

• Avoiding high-calorie foods and saturated fats

• To prefer foods prepared with vegetable oils such as olive oil instead of butter, suet and margarine

• Milk and dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and cheese, preferring half-fat or fat-free ones

• To create a diet based on vegetables, grains and legumes instead of animal foods

• Peating a diet rich in fibre: The undigested parts of plants are called 'pulp'. Consumption of foods rich in pulp such as oats, rye, barley, rice, bulgur, peas, beans, leeks, spinach, chickpeas, dried beans helps to lower cholesterol.

• Limiting red meat consumption to 1-2 portions per week, preferring chicken or fish meat instead of red meat

• Trying to eat a diet rich in omega-3

• Regular exercise

• Avoiding processed foods

• Avoiding ready-to-eat foods with high levels of trans fats (cakes, biscuits, wafers, crisps, etc.)

• The way food is cooked can also trigger a long-term inflammatory response. Grilling, boiling or baking is recommended instead of frying and cooking over charcoal.

• If you are at risk for cardiovascular diseases; if you have chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, if you are undergoing cancer treatment, it is of great importance that you do not interrupt your routine controls and do not leave the doctor's follow-up.