C-Reactive Protein Shouldn't Overreact

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that is made in the liver and released in response to inflammation and bacterial infection. It is considered a better marker of inflammation than erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a better predictor of cardiovascular disease than LDL-cholesterol.

Elevated CRP is associated with inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, tissue damage, cancer, bacterial infections, cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, obesity, metabolic syndrome,  diabetes, and cancer.

Although CRP is a biomarker of inflammation, low levels do not mean that inflammation is not present. Very low levels may be detected with a more sophisticated test called high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) which should be tested on two separate occasions to maximize clinical utility.

Increasing CRP is associated with decreasing vitamin D and researchers recommend evaluating both biomarkers together.

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