C-Reactive Protein (CRP, quantitative)

C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream as part of the body's response to inflammation. Because its level can rise quickly when inflammation is present and fall again as it settles, a quantitative CRP measurement is a useful, non-specific marker that helps a clinician judge whether an inflammatory or infectious process may be active and how it is changing over time.

CRP is requested in a wide range of situations — from assessing acute illness to monitoring chronic inflammatory conditions and following recovery — and is often interpreted alongside a complete blood count and the patient's symptoms. It is important to understand that CRP indicates that inflammation may be present but not where it is coming from; a raised result therefore guides further assessment rather than providing a diagnosis by itself. The test…