what does crp test for

CRP, or C-reactive protein, is a blood test that checks for inflammation in the body. It can help doctors look for infection, autoimmune conditions, inflammatory diseases, or monitor how well treatment is working.

What it can show

A high CRP level may be seen with:

• Bacterial or viral infections.
• Autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Other inflammatory conditions after surgery or during sepsis.

Important note

A CRP test does not tell you the exact cause of inflammation by itself. It mainly shows that inflammation is present, so more specific tests are often needed to find the reason.

hs-CRP vs regular CRP

A high-sensitivity CRP test, or hs-CRP, is a different version used to estimate cardiovascular risk at lower CRP levels. A regular CRP test is mainly used to detect inflammation from infection or disease.

TL;DR: CRP tests for inflammation, not one specific disease.