C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that is present in the blood plasma and is produced in the liver. It is produced in response to inflammation. C-reactive protein functions by binding itself on to dying cells and bacteria and this is called the acute phase response. This happens when the body is subject to infections, chronic inflammation, rheumatic conditions, tissue injury and cancerous conditions. CRP arises in a span of two hours of the inflammation and so is a very reliable marker of inflammation. Thus, it is used in diagnostic purposes as a CRP test in order to evaluate conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, coronary artery diseases, heart diseases, infections, cancers, autoimmune diseases, and many others. A CRP test is performed by drawing venous blood from the arm and testing it. It is a harmless procedure and needs no preparation. Elevated levels are indicators of disease and inflammatory conditions, and increased risk of heart diseases. A CRP value of 1 mg/L or lower is considered as a low risk value for heart disease, but a value between 1 to 3 mg/L is considered a moderate risk. A value above 3mg/L and above is a high risk and a value of 10 mg/L is an acute risk. People with diabetes and elevated HbA1c tend to have elevated CRP values, which is a high risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Glycemic control is very important to reduce this risk.
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