It is often difficult to understand which lab values mean what. We give you an overview in the series "What do my laboratory values mean?

CRP, the inflammation marker

CRP is the abbreviation for C-reactive protein. This protein is produced by the body as a messenger substance when inflammation is underway and the immune system is activated. CRP is a reliable indicator of inflammatory processes and is therefore one of the most important inflammatory parameters. Tasks of CRP CRP stimulates the immune defence against pathogens by activating scavenger cells that "devour" bacteria or other disease-causing substances and thereby remove them from circulation. CRP determination CRP is determined from the blood. Small amounts are sufficient for this, which can also be obtained by pricking the fingertip. img src="/images/news/migration/97048189_s-e1535700221392.jpg" alt="Was bedeuten meine Laborwerte?" width="843" height="463" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1533" />

When is CRP elevated?

CRP is 0 in healthy people who have no inflammatory processes in the body. As soon as inflammation occurs, the CRP value rises. The higher the CRP level rises, the more difficult it becomes for the body to defeat an inflammation without medication or other medical measures. Highly elevated CRP levels typically occur with bacterial infections, inflammatory episodes of rheumatic diseases and advanced cancers. A decrease in CRP levels at check-ups indicates that treatment has worked.

Silent inflammation

Mild, persistently elevated CRP levels indicate silent inflammation in the body. This chronic inflammation, in conjunction with elevated blood lipid levels, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, means that there is a high risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack or sudden cardiac death.

Antibiotic or not - that is the question here

Many patients come to our practice with the question of whether or not an antibiotic is necessary for an infection. To answer this question, we measure the CRP value. A slightly elevated CRP level indicates that the body can manage the infection without antibiotics, for example with the support of herbal remedies. A very high CRP level indicates that antibiotic therapy is probably the better choice.

Lowering chronically elevated CRP levels.

A chronic mild CRP elevation indicates silent inflammation. In this situation, it is important to strengthen the immune system through natural measures to prevent a catastrophe of severe cardiovascular disease. Many herbal remedies from Ayurvedic medicine (frankincense, myrrh, mumijo (shilajit or stone tar)), weight reduction, physical exercise, not smoking and the intake of oils containing omega-3 fatty acids such as linseed oil, hemp oil or fish oil are considered CRP-lowering measures. The measurement of CRP in acute patients and in routine laboratories thus provides important information about whether acute or chronic inflammation is present in the body, which treatments are useful and whether a treatment is successful.