Medical abbreviation:
CRP
Type:
Blood test
Definition:
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance made by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. The inflammation may arise due to infections, traumatic injury and inflammation caused by the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues (autoimmune conditions).
When would I need this test?
The test is most often requested in hospital patients to assess the severity of an illness and can be used to measure the success of on going treatment. C-reactive protein is commonly requested in patients with serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, septicaemia and other serious infections.
