C-Reactive Protein

Test Code

CRP

Alias/See Also

CRP

Preferred Specimen

1.0 mL plasma (0.5 mL minimum)

Minimum Volume

0.5mL

Transport Container

PST (light green top). Red top and SST also acceptable

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 72 hours, Frozen: 6 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Grossly hemolyzed specimens are unacceptable.

Reference Range

Age	Female	Male
Adult (>18 years):	0.00-0.30 mg/dL	0.00-0.30 mg/dL
Pediatric:
0 – 90 days	0.10-1.60	0.10-1.60
3 – 12 months	0.10-0.80	0.10-1.10
13 months – 3 years	0.10-0.80	0.10-1.10
4 – 10 years	0.10-1.00	0.10-0.80
11 – 14 years	0.10-.80	0.10-0.80
15 – 18 years	0.10-0.80	0.10-0.80

Clinical Significance

C-Reactive Protein is one member of a group of proteins known as “acute phase reactants”. The circulating concentration of these proteins rises sharply and quickly following surgery, other tissue injury, or inflammation. CRP increases several hundredfold, with peak levels usually reached within 72 hours. A persistent elevation of CRP longer than one week after surgery may indicate the continuation of the pathologic process or a complication. High CRP is a nonspecific finding, i.e., it does not identify the specific disease process and/or its cause. It can be used to “screen” presumably “well” persons for the presence of disease. Increased CRP levels may be present in bacterial infections, fungal infections, and some parasitic infestations; however, viral infections are less likely to cause substantial elevations. Other causes of an elevated CRP level may include: extensive physical trauma, myocardial infarction, pyelonephritis, and bacterial pneumonia. CRP levels may assist in distinguishing bacterial from aseptic meningitis in infants.

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.