Inflammation markers in blood tests
Inflammation marker blood tests can indicate inflammation in the body caused by a wide range of health conditions, from infections to autoimmune disorders and even some types of cancers. Although inflammatory markers in blood tests can help pick up inflammation, they cannot indicate the exact cause of the health condition.
In this guide, we explain more about the most common types of inflammation markers in blood tests and what they can tell you about your health.
What are the markers for inflammation?
Inflammatory markers are blood substances that can indicate elevated markers of inflammation in the body, often linked to a wide range of health conditions.
Although inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response to injury, disease, or infection, when inflammation is prolonged, often referred to as chronic inflammation, it can indicate a more serious health concern.
Learn more about inflammation and the effect it can have on your body.
What are inflammation markers in a blood test?
Inflammatory marker tests are all non-specific tests. This means they can identify the presence of inflammation but can’t identify the cause of inflammation.
The three most commonly used inflammatory marker blood tests assess:
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Plasma viscosity (PV)
The way in which these inflammatory marker blood tests measure inflammatory markers differs slightly:
CRP
The body produces proteins in response to infection or inflammation. One of these proteins is known as C-reactive protein (CRP), which is released quickly at the start of infections or inflammatory conditions. As a result, it is normal to see elevated CRP levels in people experiencing an inflammatory condition.
PV
Plasma viscosity measures the thickness of blood. During inflammation, the viscosity or thickness of blood increases as protein levels in your blood rise.
A plasma viscosity (PV) test calculates the force needed to send plasma, the liquid part of blood, down a thin tube in a given time.
ESR
An ESR test is used by doctors to indicate the amount of protein in your blood. It measures the fall, or sedimentation, of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in a tube of blood. The more protein present in your blood, the quicker your red blood cells fall, so a faster ESR rate can indicate inflammation.
What is a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test?
While a CRP test can indicate general inflammation in the blood, a hs-CRP blood test is specifically used to determine your risk of heart disease and stroke by picking up on lower levels of C-reactive proteins in your blood. Find out more about the hs-CRP test and what it can indicate for your health.
What can inflammation markers tell you about your health?
Elevated inflammation markers in blood can be used to help doctors diagnose or monitor a wide range of inflammatory conditions, such as:
- Infections
- Abscesses
- Tissue injury and burns
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Some forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis
- Autoimmune disorders, like Crohn’s disease
- Suspected infections
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Temporal arteritis
- Some cancers, such as myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Doctors can use inflammation marker blood tests if they suspect any of the above conditions to help them make their diagnosis or to rule out serious diseases. However, inflammatory blood marker tests can also be used to monitor your condition or check for flare-ups if you have already been diagnosed with an inflammatory condition.
What does having a raised inflammatory marker mean?
Inflammatory marker blood tests are non-specific tests, which means that a raised inflammatory marker blood test can indicate inflammation in the body but cannot identify the cause.
As a result, inflammatory marker blood tests are never solely used by doctors to indicate a specific illness. Instead, doctors will use information about the symptoms you’re experiencing alongside lifestyle factors, your family history and other test results to help them make a diagnosis.
It's also important to note that high markers for inflammation are not always a cause for concern. For example, it is quite common for inflammatory markers to be raised in people who are overweight, while ESR is also affected by age, gender, whether you smoke and conditions like anaemia.
How can knowing more about inflammatory markers be beneficial for your health?
Slightly raised inflammation markers may be no cause for concern since inflammation is a natural part of the body’s immune response. Inflammation typically occurs when the body is fighting an infection, injury, or other stressors. This short-term response helps the body heal and recover.
However, when inflammation persists and remains elevated for an extended period, it could be a sign of chronic inflammation, which may lead to more serious health concerns.
Doctors can also use a blood test for inflammatory markers to help monitor conditions and assess patients' responses to treatment.
What does an inflammatory marker blood test involve?
An inflammatory marker blood test involves having a simple blood test. A phlebotomist will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. Once the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected into a test tube. This is then sent to a lab for testing.
The risk of having an inflammatory marker blood test is low. Some people experience a slight scratch when the needle is inserted and some bruising after the test.
Take a proactive approach to managing your health
A blood test for inflammation markers can be beneficial in offering insights into your health when you are experiencing certain symptoms. If you are keen to take a more proactive approach to your general health, why not book a Private Health MOT?
At Bluecrest Wellness, our comprehensive health MOTs are designed to provide you with insights into key health metrics and your risk of certain health conditions so you can make any necessary adjustments to boost your overall health and wellbeing.
All of our health assessment packages can be booked across the UK, making it easy for you to find a location convenient for you. Plus, you can be confident that we will deliver fast, efficient and accurate results as we have established links with leading UK laboratories and are fully accredited for a wide range of tests. In addition, alongside a comprehensive Results Report, you get free 24/7 access to a GP helpline for a year following your tests.
