From the Guidelines
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels typically cause no direct symptoms as CRP is a marker of inflammation rather than a cause of symptoms itself. When CRP is elevated, symptoms experienced are usually related to the underlying condition causing the inflammation. Common symptoms associated with conditions that raise CRP include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Swelling
- Redness in affected areas
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- General malaise Specific symptoms depend entirely on what's causing the inflammation—such as infection (bacterial, viral, fungal), autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), tissue injury, or chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease or cancer. According to a study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 1, CRP values >10 mg/L are not always indicative of acute infection/injury, and a more thoughtful approach is needed to limit the impact of inherent bias. Another study published in the journal Chest 1 suggests that measuring CRP can help strengthen the diagnosis and exclusion of pneumonia, especially when combined with clinical symptoms and signs. However, a study published in PLoS Medicine 1 found that the evidence for an association between CRP levels and prognosis among patients with stable coronary artery disease is extremely uncertain due to reporting and publication biases. It's essential to work with a healthcare provider to identify and treat the underlying cause of elevated CRP levels rather than focusing on the CRP level itself, as CRP rises rapidly in response to inflammatory stimuli and can increase hundreds of fold within 24-48 hours of tissue injury or infection, making it a valuable but non-specific indicator that something in the body requires medical attention.
From the Research
Elevation of CRP Symptoms
- Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can be an indicator of infection, as seen in patients with bacterial infections and no previous underlying disease of impaired white blood cell (WBC) functioning 2
- High CRP levels can also be associated with other conditions, such as malignant neoplasms, liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, and uremia 2
- In newborns, CRP levels can be used to diagnose sepsis and assess therapy, with a statistical positive correlation between CRP values and septicaemia status observed in the first days after birth 3
- CRP levels can also be used in conjunction with other hematology parameters, such as platelet counts and WBC histograms, to detect malaria and assess the severity of the infection 4
- Elevated CRP levels can also be a predictor of increasing serum vancomycin concentration during treatment, making it a useful marker for identifying patients at risk of renal toxicity 5
Associated Conditions
- Bacterial infections 2
- Malignant neoplasms 2
- Liver cirrhosis 2
- Diabetes mellitus 2
- Uremia 2
- Sepsis in newborns 3
- Malaria 4
- Renal toxicity due to vancomycin treatment 5