High C-Reactive Protein In Blood Tests: Symptoms, Ways To Reduce & Treatment

Understanding the level of inflammation in your body is crucial for maintaining good health. One of the key indicators to measure this inflammation is the C reactive protein (CRP), which is commonly checked in blood tests for a variety of health conditions. If your blood tests show a high level of CRP, it could be an indication of chronic inflammation and could potentially lead to various health concerns, including cardiovascular diseases.

This blog will explore your body's C reactive protein symptoms and why actively managing them through different lifestyle strategies will benefit your overall health. It will cover all-natural ways for reducing C reactive protein, offering insights into lifestyle and dietary choices impacting your body’s inflammation levels, and make C reactive protein treatment accessible to all. So, without further ado, let’s get into the topic!

Table Of Contents

1. What Is C Reactive Protein In Blood Tests?

2. Symptoms Of High C Reactive Protein In Blood

3. How To Reduce C Reactive Protein Naturally?

4. Treatment For High C Reactive Protein In Blood

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

What Does High C Reactive Protein In Blood Tests Indicate?

Blood tests usually involve estimating several key components, including a C-reactive tubular protein. This particular protein is an indicator for detecting the extent of inflammation existing in the body. High levels of CRP indicate continued inflammation and can be related to conditions such as infections, injuries or chronic diseases.

Medical professionals often use the level of CRP in the blood as a part of diagnosing and monitoring conditions involving inflammation. CRP (C-reactive protein) blood tests are often done for patients with symptoms such as chronic inflammatory disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and various forms of inflammation in the bowel system. This is why fully knowing what the CRP test involves is important.

There are two main types of C-reactive protein (CRP) tests. Both apply the standard test, checking general CRP levels to determine whether there is any acute inflammation. On top of that, a high-sensitivity (hs) version discriminates blood concentration by 10 times as much, and such tests are used in situations where no visible disease exists. Still, the cardiovascular risk can be estimated from these measures. 

While high CRP levels signal inflammation, neither the test pinpoints the specific cause nor gives a direct prognosis. Further medical testing is usually necessary to determine these underlying causes and select the most suitable treatment. Over time, monitoring of CRP levels can indicate whether any interventions implemented to reduce inflammation and improve health in general have been successful.

Symptoms Of High C Reactive Protein In Blood

Note the given symptoms in the table below, which can indicate an elevated level of CRP protein in the body: 

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How To Reduce C Reactive Protein Naturally?

Let’s explore some natural ways to reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, involving healthy lifestyle choices and dietary habits like:

1. Adopt An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Reducing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can begin with adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. This involves incorporating foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fatty fish. By minimising processed foods and refined sugars plus reducing intake of saturated fats, you can reduce inflammation markers detected of C reactive protein in blood tests. 

2. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Naturally, reducing C-reactive protein levels also involves limiting your regular alcohol consumption, as this increases inflammation in your body. Reduce alcohol consumption gradually, instead of sudden abstinence and do a follow-up with your health care provider with a new test. 

3. Increase Intake Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Contributing to lowering your C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including chia seeds and walnuts, is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory properties. By trying these regularly in your meals, you can notice a favourable influence on CRP levels in your next test. 

4. Build A Habit Of Drinking Green Tea

Drinking green tea regularly is a simple yet effective strategy to naturally reduce C-reactive protein (CRP). Green tea is abundant in antioxidants and has been linked to anti-inflammatory effects. By building a habit of consuming green tea, individuals may experience a positive impact on their CRP levels, as confirmed by follow-up CRP blood tests.

5. Maintain A Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for naturally reducing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Excess body weight caused by increasing inflammation is the major concern, which a healthy weight can aid through a balanced diet and regular physical activity, positively influencing your CRP levels. Monitoring your weight and adopting healthy lifestyle habits may result in favourable changes in subsequent C-reactive protein in blood tests.

6. Engage In Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Regular exercise, particularly moderate-intensity activities like brisk walking or swimming, is a great method to lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Those aiming to reduce CRP levels should incorporate regular exercise into their routine and observe the positive outcomes through periodic C-reactive protein in blood tests.

7. Try Aromatherapy By Applying Essential Oils

Aromatherapy, involving the application of essential oils, is a unique approach to naturally reduce CRP levels. Including oils like lavender and frankincense with effective anti-inflammatory properties gives you a sense of relaxation and potentially reduces the inflammation which was detected during the CRP blood test.

Also Read: Top 7 Benefits Of Aromatherapy For Better Sleep 

Treatment For High C Reactive Protein In Blood

For addressing high C reactive protein (CRP) levels, here are some medical treatments to consider based on the specific circumstances:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Suggesting anti-inflammatory medications like NSAIDs or corticosteroids is normal if you are dealing with high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by doctors. These anti-inflammatory medicines are a common choice for easing inflammation and, consequently, lowering your CRP levels.

2. Disease-Specific Medications

Contributing to high C reactive protein (CRP) levels, health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune disorders require detection of this protein in blood tests followed by their targeted treatments. Targeted treatment for these conditions will reduce the inflammation in the system and strategically lower CRP levels in your blood. 

3. Statin Medications

They have shown results in reducing C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. While these drugs address lipid profiles, they also possess anti-inflammatory properties, benefiting those at risk of cardiovascular disease. With this, regular blood tests will help you track the effectiveness of these medications in lowering inflammation.

4. Treatment Of Underlying Conditions

For addressing underlying chronic infections such as  diabetes, or cardiovascular issues, targeted treatments for highly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are essential. Healthcare providers personalise interventions based on your specific health challenges, identified through comprehensive assessments. In this, C reactive protein in blood tests helps you track progress while adjusting treatment strategies with your doctor accordingly.

5. Immunosuppressive Therapy

Suppose you are dealing with autoimmune diseases or disorders marked by an overactive immune response. In that case, getting immunosuppressive therapy to bring down inflammation is an effective treatment for post-C reactive protein in a blood test. Regular monitoring through C reactive protein in blood tests helps doctors assess how immunosuppressive therapy impacts your C reactive protein levels and helps in upgrading your treatment plan.

The Final Say

It is important to note that CRP tests are just one tool in the diagnostic process, and their interpretation should be done in conjunction with a thorough medical evaluation by a healthcare professional. The decision to perform a CRP test is based on the individual's medical history, symptoms, C reactive protein increase causes, and overall health profile.

Remember, individual responses to lifestyle changes vary, and it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant alterations to your diet or exercise routine to know how much C reactive protein is dangerous in your current state, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Regular CRP-level monitoring can help assess these natural approaches' effectiveness.

FAQs

1. What is the normal range of the C reactive protein test?

A C-reactive protein blood test results within the normal range when below 3 milligrams per litre (mg/L). This range serves to evaluate the level of your body's inflammation.

2. What does it mean if my C reactive protein is high?

Having an elevated C-reactive protein indicates increased inflammation. There are many possible reasons. Further investigation- perhaps including more tests- is required to find out the cause of this increase in levels.

3. How to lower C reactive protein levels?

Lowering C-reactive protein levels through lifestyle changes is a great choice. So, try an anti-inflammatory diet while exercising regularly to manage your stress levels.

4. What is the C reactive protein test cost?

Depending on various factors, the cost of a C reactive protein in blood test varies with the testing facility, your testing location along your choice of insurance coverage. 

5. What is the C reactive protein test procedure?

Involving just a simple blood draw, the procedure for a C reactive protein in blood test includes collecting a small sample of your blood, which will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. These results of the C reactive protein blood test will help you assess inflammation levels in your body.

References

• C-reactive protein (CRP) Test: What It Is, Purpose & Results

• Vitamin C treatment reduces elevated C-reactive protein - PMC

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