What is the CRP test in the general exam for?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc - General Internal Medicine - Endocrinology - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. Doctor has more than 10 years of studying, researching and working in the field of endocrinology.

The CRP test helps to assess the body's infection status and monitor the inflammatory response to treatment. In addition, the CRP index also helps screen for coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease in people with healthy appearance.

CRP stands for C-reactive protein, also known as C-reactive protein. This is a protein that is not produced by the body under normal conditions, but is produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream a few hours after tissue damage due to infection or other causes of inflammation.
CRP usually increases within 6 hours of the inflammatory response, increases before the body has symptoms of pain, fever and increases before other clinical indicators. CRP is significantly increased when the body has an infection, injury, heart attack or immune disorders. One advantage of the CRP test is that it is not dependent on factors such as blood globulin and hematocrit levels, so it is highly valuable in assessing the body's infection status or monitoring the outbreak of chronic diseases.

The CRP test is not specific enough to make a definitive diagnosis, but it does provide information about the presence of inflammation, along with clinical symptoms and other tests, the doctor will confirm. identify patients with active infections or flare-ups of chronic inflammatory diseases. There are two types of CRP tests: the standard CRP test (Standard CRP) and the high-sensitivity CRP test (hs-CRP for short).
2.1. Standard CRP test Standard CRP test is useful in assessing advanced inflammation, often indicated in cases such as:
Evaluation of the body's infection status after surgery Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus Rheumatoid arthritis...

Inflammation in the pelvic region Lymphoma, advanced tuberculosis Ulcerative colitis, acute pancreatitis, appendicitis, intestinal inflammation and bleeding,... Normal blood CRP value < 6mg/l, CRP increases slightly with age and increases in proportion to the extent of injury. The CRP test helps evaluate infections and inflammatory diseases. CRP is usually at 6-40mg/L in pregnant women, people with viral infections, mild inflammation. CRP levels between 40-200mg/L are common in people with active inflammation or infection, increasing >200mg/L if the infection or burn is severe.
The CRP test is also repeated several times to assess response to treatment. CRP index decreased when the inflammation decreased, the patient's condition improved.

2.2. Hypersensitive CRP test (hs-CRP) During physical exams, patients are often ordered to have a super sensitive CRP test. This test helps screen for coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy people. CRP plays an important role in predicting future risk of myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease, stroke, and sudden death in people without coronary artery disease. In addition, CRP is also a predictor of future risk in patients who have undergone reperfusion procedures such as angioplasty, bypass surgery, stenting,...
Accordingly, hs- CRP is used to assess CVD risk as follows:
<1mg/L, low risk patients for CVD 1-3mg/L: average risk patients >3mg/L: Patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease

Patients will not normally need to abstain before the test. However, in some special cases, the doctor may ask the patient not to eat 4-12 hours before the test to ensure accurate results. The procedure for taking blood for the CRP test is done like a normal test. The medical examiner will wrap a bandage around the arm to stop blood flow, disinfect the blood collection site, and use a needle to draw venous blood. After blood collection, the patient's blood collection area will be bandaged and pressed to stop the bleeding.
In some cases, the CRP index may not reflect the correct inflammation or health status of the patient because CRP is affected by factors such as:
High CRP in obese patients, high blood pressure , diabetes, high blood lipids. Pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy and smokers also often have high CRP. CRP is low in people who are low in weight, exercise regularly, and be active. People who drink alcohol or use drugs such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, statins, beta-blockers also often have decreased CRP.

Therefore, in addition to the test results, the doctor will rely on clinical factors such as the patient's condition, existing diseases, medications being used, ... to make an appropriate diagnosis.

Periodic health check is the best way for each person to protect their own health. Periodic health check-up includes general clinical examination, performing tests, imaging techniques and functional exploration techniques,... Periodic health check-up helps patients detect and to treat the disease at an early stage. This not only saves time and money, but also creates opportunities for early treatment, minimizing risks and possible risks.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package Diamond Health Checkup Package Vip General Health Checkup Package Special General Health Checkup Package Comprehensive General Health Checkup Package Standard General Health Checkup Package Patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if you detect diseases that require intensive examination and treatment, you can use services from other specialties at the Hospital with quality treatment and services. outstanding customer service.