Please explain C-reactive protien

[Golflady224]

I recently did this test 'C-Reactive Protein' The results came back as Non Reactive positive>6 mg/L. can someone please explain the type of test and the results?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[ed34]

It certainly seems to add up.
I wish you all the best with your physio and hope you get your knee sorted soon.

[Golflady224]

Thanks for the explanation.

My doctor requested the test because my first ESR test was 50 above the normal range. I have been having unexplained fever (without any flu symptoms) and my doctor is trying to determine the cause of the fever

I have been diagnosed by an orthopedic surgeon as having Rheumatoid Arthritis in my left knee. I have continuous swelling in this knee for which I was given the explanation of fluid above the knee cap. I have completed one session of Physio and I am due for another session in the next month or so.

So based on your explanation I am seeing a possible link to the cause of the inflammation in my body.

[ed34]

Not sure why you had this test, what were they looking for? C reactive protein (CPR) is basically a part of your immune system. When you have an infection or inflammation, macrophages signal the liver to put CPR into your blood. These attach to microbes and dead/dying cells assisting the targeting and effect of the Macrophages (white cells). So CPR is a good marker for inflammation and also disease including certain cancers. 6mg/L is not very high, a normal bacterial infection can raise CPR to 40-200mg/L and a severe infection will raise it above 200mg/L. CPR has a short half life and usually drops after a few days, so a follow up blood test will reveal if the infection or inflammation causing this still exists. Anti inflammatory medication is normally the preferred medication, but the infection (cause) still needs time to be naturally destroyed by the body, or antibiotics may be required. Your coronary arteries could of course be the inflamed component, meaning twice the risk for heart disease. There are so many infections/areas of inflammation which can cause CPR to increase, even rheumatoid arthritis. I have no idea how they will determine the inflamed area, but an infection could be detected obviously by elevated white cell counts in your blood.