00:00So your CRP is high. What does that mean for you?
00:04That is a question that many people, just like yourself, often face.
00:09Doctors usually interpret CRP results in three general ranges.
00:14Mild elevations, moderate elevations, and very high levels that usually indicate infection.
00:22In a moment, I'll explain what each of these means and why CRP rises.
00:27I'll explain the elevated CRP in simple, easy-to-understand language.
00:34So by the end of the video, you'll have a clear picture of what your test result means for you.
00:41First of all, what is CRP?
00:44CRP stands for C-reactive protein.
00:48The protein is called C-reactive because it does just that.
00:52It reacts with the C-carbohydrate on the outer layer of the streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium.
01:01Where does it come from?
01:03The CRP is primarily made in the liver in response to inflammation in the body.
01:09CRP is also made in other tissues in smaller quantities.
01:13An inflammatory molecule known as interleukin-6 activates the gene that makes CRP in the liver
01:22when there's inflammation in the body.
01:25CRP is therefore what we call an acute phase reactant.
01:31It rises when inflammation increases and it falls when inflammation decreases.
01:37But what does CRP do in the body?
01:40CRP has two forms.
01:43It is both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory.
01:48The native form is more anti-inflammatory and consists of five molecules bonded together.
01:56Whereas the pro-inflammatory form consists of a single molecule that forms from the dissociation of the native form.
02:06This means that CRP can decrease inflammation or promote inflammation depending on the particular circumstances.
02:15As a pro-inflammatory molecule, it can cause platelet activation, activate the complement system, and cause the lining of the
02:26arteries to malfunction.
02:28In this role, it can make autoimmune diseases worse like rheumatoid arthritis.
02:34As an anti-inflammatory, CRP can assist in clearing dead cells and foreign germs.
02:41It is important to note that CRP is not just a marker of inflammation, but an active participant.
02:52At this point, you may be wondering how high your CRP has to be before doctors become concerned.
03:00Let's look at the typical ranges physicians use.
03:04CRP values vary from undetectable to several thousand times the normal value.
03:11CRP values are usually below 3 mg per liter in normal individuals.
03:18Mild elevations from 3 to 10 mg per liter may be seen in nonspecific conditions such as obesity, depression, diabetes,
03:30gum disease, sleep disturbances, sedentary lifestyles, and cigarette smoking.
03:37Moderate elevations of 10 to 100 mg per liter can be seen in infections, arthritis, cancers, heart disease, and marked
03:48elevations greater than 100 mg are usually present in bacterial, viral infections, and trauma.
03:57CRP becomes severely elevated in bacterial infections when the values can run higher than 300 mg per liter.
04:08Doctors sometimes measure high-sensitivity CRP levels, which are levels from 1 to 3 mg per liter.
04:16These have been associated with heart disease risk.
04:20A CRP level less than 1 mg per liter is associated with a low heart disease risk.
04:26A value of 1 to 3 mg is seen in intermediate risk, whereas values above 3 mg per liter is
04:35associated with heart disease risk that is high.
04:40Interestingly, CRP values are in large part hereditary, and CRP levels vary with your age and sex, running higher in
04:48older individuals and women.
04:51There's an interesting fact.
04:53CRP can be raised by taking estrogen replacement or birth control pills.
04:58And this may be directly related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events.
05:06Other medications can also affect your CRP levels.
05:10NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, and diabetic medications known as GLP-1 injections, can reduce CRP levels.
05:19On the other hand, a healthy lifestyle, about 6 to 8 hours of sleep every night, a healthy diet, and
05:28regular exercise are all associated with the lower CRP level.
05:33The takeaway message is this.
05:36The significance of your CRP varies with the level of your reading.
05:41It also varies with your age, sex, and genetic makeup.
05:46The best way to control your CRP level is to live a healthy lifestyle.
05:53I hope you found this video useful.
05:55If you did, like and share the video with your friends and family.
05:59You can support this channel by subscribing.
06:02Until the next video, stay healthy and stay safe.
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