CRP Entzündung: which blood markers matter?

CRP (C-reactive protein) is the most established blood marker for systemic inflammation. It is produced by the liver in response to interleukin-6 and rises during acute infections, chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), or tissue damage. For cardiovascular risk assessment, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is used – levels above 3 mg/L indicate elevated risk, though the marker is non-specific. Other relevant markers include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, ferritin (as an acute-phase reactant), and cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha. However, CRP remains the best-standardized and most validated marker. Caveat: CRP alone is not diagnostic; it must be interpreted in clinical context. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and poor sleep can also elevate CRP. DNA tests for CRP gene variants have small effect sizes and lack sufficient evidence for personalized health guidance. The evidence for CRP as an inflammation marker is strong, but interpretation requires medical supervision.