CRP

Understanding the marker

CRP rises rapidly in infection and inflammation. It is used primarily to detect ongoing acute inflammation.

CRP is a nonspecific inflammation marker interpreted with symptoms and timing. It cannot identify the cause of inflammation, and a normal result does not exclude important infection or inflammatory disease.

What does high CRP mean?

CRP rises as part of the body's inflammatory response. A high result does not identify where inflammation is occurring or what caused it. Symptoms, timing and other findings guide interpretation.

What does low CRP mean?

Low CRP means little of this inflammation-associated protein was measured. It does not exclude an infection or explain symptoms by itself; timing and the clinical assessment remain important.