C -reactive protein (PCR) is a liver -produced protein that is generally increased when there is some inflammation or infection in the body.
This protein is widely used to assess the possibility of any non -visible infection or inflammation, such as appendicitis or atherosclerosis, for example. However, PCR can also be used to assess a person’s risk to develop cardiovascular disease, as the higher the risk of heart problems.
The amount of reactive protein does not exactly point to the inflammation or infection the person has. Thus, the value of PCR should always be analyzed by the doctor, who may ask for other exams and evaluate the person’s health history, to reach the most correct diagnosis. This exam is also not the same exam used for the diagnosis of COVID-19, which is known as RT-PCR. Learn more about the COVID-19 PCR exam.
Normal PCR value
The C -Reactive Protein Value (PCR) is considered normal when it is below 10 mg/l or 1 mg/dl. However, this value may vary slightly, according to the laboratory where the exam was done.
Reactive C protein and cardiac risk
The risk of developing cardiovascular disease is higher the higher the level of C -Reactive Protein (PCR) in the body. In general, the values that indicate a chance to develop a heart disease are:
- Very high risk: Above 10 mg/l or 1 mg/dl;
- High -risk: 2,0 mg/L ou 0,2 mg/dL;
- Average risk: between 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l or 0.1 and 0.2 mg/dL;
- Low risk: Less than 1.0 mg/l or 0.1 mg/dl.
The interpretation of the result should be done by the doctor, because in order to reach the diagnostic conclusion, it is important that other exams are analyzed together, thus better identifying the cause of increased or decreased PCR.
What is the ultra -sensitive PCR examination
Ultra -sensitive PCR examination is requested by the doctor when you want to evaluate the risk of the person having cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke. In this case the exam is requested when the person is healthy, without any symptoms or apparent infection. This exam is more specific and can detect minimum amounts of PCR in the blood.
If the person is apparently healthy and has high -sensitive PCR values, it means that he has a risk of developing peripheral artery disease, or undergoing a heart attack or stroke, and therefore should properly feed and exercise regularly. See 7 other tips for decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
PCR alta
High -reactive C protein usually indicates some inflammatory or infectious process in the body, and may be a sign of a bacteria infection, cardiovascular disease, rheumatism or even rejection of a transplant, for example.
C -reactive protein values (PCR) may indicate the severity of inflammation or infection:
- PCR within 1.0 and 10.0 mg/L: It usually indicates mild inflammation or light infections such as gingivitis, flu or cold;
- PCR entre 10,0 a 40,0 mg/L: It may be a sign of more severe infections and moderate infections such as chicken pox, Covid-19 or other respiratory infection;
- PCR superior a 40 mg/L: usually indicates bacterial infection;
- PCR superior a 200 mg/L: It may indicate septicemia, a serious situation that endangers one’s life.
Increased this protein may also indicate chronic diseases and so the doctor should request other tests to try to find out what has led to their increase in the bloodstream, as PCR is not able to determine the disease. Check out the main symptoms of an inflammation.
Low PCR
Low Values of C -Reactive Protein (PCR) can also be observed in some situations, such as people who have had great weight loss, exercise, alcohol consumption and use of some medications, and it is important that the doctor identifies the cause.
What to do when PCR is high
After confirming the high values of the PCR, the doctor should evaluate the result of the other exams requested, as well as to evaluate the patient, taking into account the symptoms presented. Thus, from the moment the cause is identified, treatment can be started more directed and specific.
When the patient has only a malaise without any other symptoms or specific risk factors, the doctor may request other tests, such as the dosage of tumor markers or computed tomography, for example, to verify the chance of increased PCR being related to cancer.
When PCR values are above 200 mg/l and the diagnosis of infection is confirmed, it is usually indicated that the person is hospitalized to receive antibiotics by the vein. PCR values begin to rise within 6 hours after the infection began and tend to download when the use of antibiotics begins. If 2 days after antibiotics use PCR values do not decrease, it is important that the doctor sets another treatment strategy.
Source: www.tuasaude.com