C-reactive protein, also known as PCR, is a protein present in the blood and that increases its concentration when there is an inflammatory or infectious process in the body, being one of the first indicators of change in blood tests in these situations. .
This indicator is widely used to evaluate the possibility of infection or a non-visible inflammatory process, such as appendicitis, atherosclerosis or the spread of viral and bacterial infections, for example, however, PCR can also be used to assess a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, even if the highest level is present, is the risk of developing this type of disease.
- This test does not indicate the degree of inflammation or infection of the person.
- However.
- The doctor uses it as an indicator in certain circumstances.
- Such as in the hospital for illnesses or inflammatory processes.
- So an increase in values indicates that the body is fighting an agent of aggression.
- Which could also result in an increase in white blood cells in the hematology of the blood.
Therefore, the value of PCR should always be analyzed by the doctor who is asking for the problem, being able to request more tests, in addition to assessing the medical history of the person, to know what the correct diagnosis is.
The reference value of PCR in both men and women is up to 3 mg / Lo 0. 3 mg / dL. For cardiovascular risk, values that indicate the possibility of heart disease include:
Therefore, it is important that CRP values are between 1 and 3 mg / L. Low C-reactive protein values can be observed in certain situations, such as people who have lost a lot of weight, are physically active, consume alcoholic beverages, and consume certain types of medications, and it is important for your doctor to identify the cause.
The interpretation of the result should be performed by the doctor, since to make a diagnosis it is necessary to analyze all the tests requested together, so that it is possible to identify the cause of the increase in the reduction of PCR. .
Highly reactive C protein appears in most inflammatory processes in the human body and could be linked to several situations such as: viruses, fungi, bacteria, liver problems, cardiovascular disease, HPV, rheumatism, cancer.
In some cases, PCR values may indicate the severity of inflammation or infection:
Increasing this protein might also indicate chronic diseases, so your doctor should order more tests to try to find out what caused the increase in blood flow, because PCR alone isn’t able to determine it. Learn about the main symptoms of inflammation.
After confirming the PCR values, the doctor should evaluate the results of the other requested tests, as well as evaluate the patient by taking the symptoms present, so once the cause is identified, appropriate treatment should be initiated.
When the patient only has a general malaise without presenting any specific symptoms, the doctor may order other tests such as the presence of tumor markers or a CT scan, for example, to identify if there is a risk that the alteration is caused by cancer.
When the CRP values are higher than 200 mg / L, it is normal for the hospitalized person to receive intravenous antibiotics, the CRP values begin to increase 2 days after the onset of infection and begin to decrease when the use of antibiotics is started . medication, cannot lower CRP values, the doctor must use another strategy to treat the problem.
The doctor may order a C-reactive protein sample as one of many tests to confirm an inflammatory disease, such as autoimmune diseases, infections caused by bacteria or fungi, cancer, lung diseases, neurological diseases, arthritis, among others.
In addition to this, you may also request to evaluate whether current treatment is in effect, so your doctor may consider continuing with both changes to the treatment plan.
The ultra-sensitive PCR test is requested by the doctor when he or she wants to assess a person’s risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke, in this case tests are requested when the person is healthy, without any apparent infection This more specific test and can detect the minimum levels of PCR in the blood.
If the individual is seemingly healthy and has high LEVELS of PCR, they can develop peripheral artery disease, suffer a heart attack or apple cider vinegar, so they should eat well and perform regular physical activity to reduce this risk.
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Because the PCR problem is not diagnosed on its own, we must decide that it is necessary to correlate with the signs and symptoms presented by the person, the doctor may use other studies to make the correct diagnosis, among the studies found. -stripes, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, blood tests such as blood biometrics, blood cultures, arterial gasometry, for example.