C-reactive protein is a marker of infection and inflammation that can be measured in the blood. Elevated levels suggest inflammation throughout the body and are seen with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.
The high-sensitivity CRP test can detect very low levels of CRP, which had not been possible years ago. The more sensitive test is usually ordered to evaluate cardiovascular risk but is also helpful in evaluating inflammatory and metabolic disorders, as well as muscle wasting and treatment-resistant depression.
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