A healthcare provider called a phlebotomist usually performs blood draws, but any healthcare provider who is trained in drawing blood can perform this task VSports app下载. The samples are sent to a lab where a medical laboratory scientist prepares the samples and performs the test on machines known as analyzers.
Your healthcare provider will let you know what you need to do to prepare for a CRP test, but in most cases, you won’t need to do anything special to prepare for it (such as fasting before the test).
You can expect to experience the following during a blood test, or blood draw:
The entire procedure usually takes less than five minutes.
After a healthcare provider has collected your blood sample, they’ll send it to a laboratory for testing. Once the test results are back, your healthcare provider will share the results with you.
Blood tests are a very common and essential part of medical testing and screening. There’s very little risk to having blood tests. You may have slight tenderness or a bruise at the site of the blood draw, but this usually resolves quickly.
In most cases, you should have your CRP test results within one or two days, though it could take longer.
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Blood test reports, including CRP blood test reports, usually provide the following information:
Laboratories have different reference ranges for normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. When you get your blood test results back, there will be information that indicates what that lab’s normal CRP range is.
In general, the normal CRP level is less than 0.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Many factors can affect your CRP level. Minor CRP level elevation may be due to the following conditions or situations:
Females and elderly people have naturally higher levels of CRP.
If you have any questions about your results, be sure to ask your healthcare provider.
If you have a moderately to severely elevated CRP level, it probably means you have some type of inflammation. But a CRP test can’t show the cause of the inflammation or where it is in your body. Because of this, your healthcare provider will likely order additional tests if your result shows a high CRP level.
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How high your CRP level is can mean different things.
A CRP test result of 1.0 to 10.0 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) is generally considered a moderately elevated level. This result may indicate any of the following conditions:
A CRP test result of more than 10 mg/dL is generally considered a marked elevation. This result may indicate any of the following conditions:
A CRP test result of more than 50 mg/dL is generally considered severe elevation. Results over 50 mg/L are associated with acute bacterial infections about 90% of the time.
Since the normal CRP level is generally less than 0.9 mg/dL, there’s no such thing as a lower than normal CRP level.
If you previously had a high CRP result and now have a lower result, it likely means your inflammation is decreasing and/or your treatment for the inflammation is working.
If your CRP test results reveal that you have high levels of CRP, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment, especially if they’re only slightly elevated. Several factors, such as smoking, recent injury and certain health conditions, can raise your CRP levels. There could’ve also been an error in the collection, transport or processing of the test.
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If you have an abnormal result, your healthcare provider will discuss your results with you. They may order additional tests to determine the cause of your abnormal CRP levels.
Seeing an abnormal test result can be stressful. Know that having an elevated CRP level doesn’t necessarily mean you have a medical condition and need treatment. Approximately 1 in 20 healthy people will have results outside of the normal range. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you need to have further tests to determine the cause of the abnormal level. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider questions. They’re available to help you.
Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.
Last reviewed on 05/17/2022.
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