Things You Should Know About CRP Test: From Causes to Cost for Kolkata Citizens

C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver. Any kind of inflammation in your body makes the CRP level rise.

Other names for CRP are:

• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and
• Ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP).

A high level of CRP in the blood is a biological marker of the presence of inflammation in the body. A wide variety of conditions can trigger a high CRP level. It may range from having an infection in the body to an underlying health condition like cancer.

High CRP levels can also indicate that the arteries of the heart are inflamed. This in turn can mean a higher risk of heart attack.

The CRP test however is an extremely nonspecific test. The CRP levels in the blood can be elevated in any inflammatory condition.

The CRP test cost in Kolkata normally ranges from Rs. 550 to Rs. 600.

About CRP Test

CRP test is basically a simple blood test. A sample is drawn from a vein. The sample is drawn most likely in your arm. No special preparation like fasting is needed for the test. The test is not painful. You will only feel a stinging sensation on the arm from where the needle is inserted. The test may be affected by medications you are currently taking. Discuss with your doctor and ask your doctor if you need to avoid taking the medicines before you get your CRP test done. Your blood sample collected by the phlebotomist or the technician is being tested at a pathology lab.

Here are what the results mean:

• When the hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0 mg/L — It is indicative of low risk of CVD (heart disease)
• When the hs-CRP level is between 1.0 mg/L and 3.0 mg/L –It is indicative of moderate risk of CVD
• When the hs-CRP level is more than 3.0 mg/L — It is indicative of high risk of CVD

A high level of CRP can also indicate one of the following conditions:

• Cancer
• Infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tuberculosis, or another disease.

Your CRP level could also be high if you’re a pregnant woman and you are in the second half of your pregnancy. Use of birth control pills can also elevate the CRP levels.

For Whom is the CRP Test Most Useful

People who have a 10% chance or a 20% chance of having a heart attack within the next 10 years will benefit the most from a CRP test. The test is not helpful for people who have a higher or for those who have a lower risk.

It is important to know that your CRP level can vary from time to time. The test therefore should be done twice 2 weeks apart to determine your risk of heart disease. It’s also important to remember that you could have a high level of CRP and it does necessarily mean that you are at risk of heart disease. So, it’s also very important to get your LDL levels checked as well to get a full picture of your CVD risk.

Get Your CRP Blood Test done at an Affordable Cost from Accuhealth Diagnostics Kolkata

If your doctor has ordered for a CRP test or if you want to get a CRP test done on your own at a reasonable price, you can contact Accuhealth Diagnostics for either an in-person lab test at any of the centres located in Kasba, Baruipur, Barasat or Sonarpur (collection centre) or you can order for a home collection of your blood sample. Accuhealth Diagnostics is one of the renowned and trusted diagnostic centres in Kolkata highly recommended by doctors for the accuracy of reports and timely delivery of reports.