Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / C-Reactive Protein
C-Reactive Protein
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | C-Reactive Protein |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | CRP |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | CRP is an acute phase reactant, used to assess the progression of inflammation and infection. Levels are particularly increased in bacterial infection and peak at 48 hours following exposure. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 2 weeks at room temperature, 3 weeks at 2-8°C and 12 months at -20°C |
| Turnaround Time | Urgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | <5 mg/L (Quoted by the manufacturer) |
| Limitations | CRP measurement may be affected by lipaemia and monoclonal gammopathies (especially Waldenstroms macroglobulinaemia). At extremely high concentrations (>750 mg/L) the assay may give falsely low results. Carboxypenicillins significantly decrease values. |
| Notes |
