What should you know about C-reactive protein and Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease can cause inflammation in parts of the digestive tract. CRP may rise when that inflammation is active, so clinicians may compare the result with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight change, fever and your usual pattern. A raised result can also have another cause, while some bowel inflammation may occur without a large CRP change.

For that reason, CRP is one piece of monitoring. Stool tests, scans, endoscopy or other blood tests may be considered when symptoms and the blood result do not match.

Tell your clinician when symptoms began, how bowel habits have changed, and which Crohn's medicines or supplements you take. Do not stop treatment because a result is improved or change doses without advice. Keep follow-up appointments so symptoms, blood results and treatment response can be considered together.

Seek urgent help for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, heavy rectal bleeding, fainting, confusion, or inability to keep fluids down. Contact your care team promptly for persistent diarrhoea, fever, marked weakness or symptoms that are clearly different from your usual Crohn's pattern.

Ask what your CRP means in relation to your previous results, whether symptoms suggest active Crohn's disease, which test is next if needed, and when treatment should be reviewed.