Lupus
Lupus: Support and Survival

Diagnostic Tests for Lupus
C-Reactive Protein test

C-reactive protein is a test that measures the concentration of a protein in blood serum that indicates acute inflammation.

C-reactive protein is a special type of protein produced by the liver that is only present during episodes of acute inflammation.

C-reactive protein is a sensitive marker of inflammation, the process whereby the body responds to injury. The most important role of CRP is its interaction with the complement system, which is one of the body's immunologic defense mechanisms.

While this is not a specific test, it does give a general indication of acute inflammation. Your health care provider might use this test to check for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever exacerbations, lupus flares, or heart problems. The test might also be useful to monitor response to therapy.

Normally there is no CRP in the blood serum.

What abnormal results mean:
Since the CRP is a general test, a positive CRP may indicate any of a number of things:
 

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Cancer
  • Tuberculosis
  • Pneumococcal pneumonia
  • Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)
  • SLE (Lupus)


Positive CRP results also occur during the last half of pregnancy or with the use of oral contraceptives.

Contact the Lupus Foundation of America or the local Chapter that serves your area for more information about lupus, or the programs and services the LFA offers including support group information and physician referral.

Lupus Foundation of America., Inc.
1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20850-4303
301-670-9292  800-558-0121
http://www.lupus.org

Information gathered from :
 http://health.yahoo.com/health/Diseases_and_Conditions/Disease_Feed_Data/Lupus

Searching for  ways to deal with the depression, the frustrations, the questions about lupus, I joined a support group online.  LUPIES has been a wonderful gift.  I have learned more from the information I found on the support web site from other sufferers of Lupus than I did from my doctor.
Thank you fellow Lupies!    With a very special thank you to Deanna!
May your days be pain free!

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