Doctors usually use C-reactive protein (CRP) to check inflammation and specific health conditions. CRP is a protein that can be produced in the liver and can be found in the blood. There can be different levels of CRP protein in the blood which can arise in response to inflammation. A high CRP level can indicate inflammation, which signals that the body might be fighting an infection or dealing with other health issues. In this article, we will look at how much CRP level is dangerous and its symptoms.

In addition, we will discuss the causes and factors affecting CRP levels. We’ll also explore the normal range and high range of CRP levels along with ways to reduce high CRP levels. Read on!

How Much CRP Level is Dangerous?

A CRP (C-reactive protein) level above 50 mg/dL is in general dangerous. When CRP levels are high, it could mean there's inflammation in the body, which might be a sign of health problems. This level indicates the risk of acute bacterial infections such as hepatitis C, malaria, and dengue. But the level of danger is different for everyone. A doctor must check and decide if the CRP levels are okay or need treatment. So, there's no one-size-fits-all answer about how dangerous the CRP level is.

how much crp level is dangerous

What are the Symptoms of Elevated CRP Levels?

The symptoms of elevated CRP levels can depend on the underlying condition. These conditions can increase the chance of infections, injuries, or illnesses. Some of the symptoms of high CRP levels can be:

Exhaustion
Pain
Muscle stiffness
Soreness
Weaknesses
Low-grade fever
Chills
Headache
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Indigestion
Difficulty sleeping
Insomnia
Unexplained weight loss

What is the Most Likely Cause of High CRP Levels?

Research says rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and severe injuries are the common causes of high CRP. This level tends to increase with several infections, such as bacterial or fungal infections. Bacterial infections are responsible for about 90% of the higher cases of CRP levels. Sometimes high CRP levels occur because of certain cancers that cause significant inflammation.

What Factors Affect CRP Levels in Humans?

The potential factors responsible for affecting CRP levels are:

Lifestyle: Smoking, obesity, diabetes, or little exercise can mildly increase CRP levels.
Age and sex: Older patients and women are more prone to have higher CRP levels.
Medications: Statins can incorrectly lower CRP. Moreover, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and aspirin can reduce CRP levels.
Infections: Viral and bacterial infections can increase CRP levels.
Recent illness or injury: They can falsely increase your CRP levels.
Diet: Consuming around 6 servings of fruits and veggies can impact your CRP levels.
Magnesium supplementation: They typically contribute to lower CRP levels.

Crash diets: These diets help lose weight quickly which increases inflammation and causes muscle loss, leading to high CRP levels.

What is the Normal Range of CRP Levels?

The level of CRP can differ depending on the lab and method used to measure it. The normal range of CRP levels is less than 0.3 mg/dL. This means you do not have any infections or chronic inflammation conditions. According to one finding, the following are the different ranges of CRP levels and what they may indicate.

CRP LEVEL	CLASSIFICATION	POTENTIAL REASON
Less than 0.3 mg/dL	Normal	No diseases or infections
0.3-1.0 mg/dL	Normal or little elevation	Obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, cold, and depression
1.0-10.0 mg/dL	Moderate elevation	Bodily inflammation, pancreatitis, heart attack, and bronchitis
More than 10.0 mg/dL	Marked elevation	Acute bacterial infections, systemic vasculitis,viral infections, and major trauma
More than 50.0 mg/dL	Severe elevation	Acute bacterial infections

What Does a High CRP Level Mean?

If the results show CRP levels more than 10 mg/dL, it is considered high. This indicates you are living with some type of inflammation. This may be because of a severe injury, an infection, or current conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. However, the CRP test won't reveal the cause of that inflammation. So, healthcare providers recommend additional tests.

Ways to Reduce High CRP Levels

By considering some lifestyle and dietary changes, you can maintain your CRP levels. You can take these steps:

Consume a heart-healthy diet
Exercise regularly
Treat the underlying conditions
Lower your cholesterol levels
Keep your weight where it should be
Take prescribed medications or supplements
Manage your high blood pressure and diabetes
Practice yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation
Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
Follow good sleep hygiene
Adopt these changes for the long term to maintain your CRP levels. However, always seek guidance from doctors before making any lifestyle or dietary changes.

Summing Up

We hope our article helps you know how much CRP level is dangerous. Knowing severely high CRP levels can help you manage inflammation and prevent the risks of certain health problems. If the level is too high, contacting the doctor to understand the diagnosis will be better. Doctors will discuss the next step in reducing the chances of severe health issues. You can also consider some measures to reduce the elevated CRP levels.

How Much CRP Level is Dangerous? Understand the Risk