Inflammation and liver check

CRP is an acute phase protein that is produced in the liver and increases in the body during inflammation or infections. The laboratory value measures the concentration of CRP in the blood and is a non-specific marker for inflammatory processes.

A CRP test is recommended for: • People with symptoms such as fever, chills or unclear pain • Patients suspected of having acute or chronic inflammation (e.g. arthritis, intestinal inflammation) • Monitoring of patients after surgery to detect infections early • Diagnosis and monitoring of infections, autoimmune diseases or tumors

The test serves the diagnosis and monitoring of inflammatory or infectious diseases. CRP is a fast marker to detect acute inflammation or infections in the body.

An elevated CRP value indicates: • Acute infections such as bacterial infections or sepsis • Chronic inflammations such as rheumatism or intestinal diseases • Postoperative inflammations or wound infections A low value shows that no or only minimal inflammatory processes are active in the body. Symptoms with elevated CRP: • Fever, fatigue • Pain or swelling with inflammations

The testing can be carried out at any time of the day and is often performed in case of acute symptoms such as fever or swellings.

CRP is non-specific and only indicates that there is an inflammation in the body, but not the exact cause. Further investigations are required to clarify the cause. • A high CRP value in bacterial infections often differs significantly from the values in viral infections, which are usually only slightly elevated. • Chronically slightly elevated values can indicate silent inflammations or cardiovascular risks.

Albumin is a protein that is produced in the liver and has many important functions, including the transport of substances in the blood and the maintenance of the colloid osmotic pressure. The laboratory value measures the albumin concentration in the blood and provides information about liver function, nutritional status, and kidney function.

An albumin test is recommended for: • Patients with symptoms such as edema, fatigue or weight loss • People with suspected liver or kidney disease • Monitoring of patients with chronic conditions such as cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome • Assessment of nutritional status in malnutrition or severe illness

The test serves to assess liver and kidney function as well as nutritional status. Albumin is also used to monitor chronic diseases.

A low albumin level can be caused by: • Liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis • Protein loss through the kidneys (e.g. nephrotic syndrome) • Malnutrition or malabsorption An elevated value is rare and usually occurs with dehydration. Symptoms of low albumin levels can include: • Swelling (edema) • Weakness or fatigue

The testing can be carried out at any time of the day and is independent of food intake.

• Albumin levels can be lowered by chronic inflammation or infections, even without obvious liver or kidney disease. • In conjunction with total protein and globulin, the albumin value helps to assess the overall health status more comprehensively. • The value can also decrease during pregnancy or fluid overload.

Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin that is formed during the decomposition of old red blood cells. The laboratory value measures the total bilirubin concentration in the blood, which consists of direct (conjugated) and indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin.

Here is the translation: A bilirubin test is recommended for: • People with symptoms such as jaundice (icterus), dark urine or lighter stool • Patients suspected of having liver or biliary tract diseases (e.g. hepatitis, bile duct obstruction) • Newborns to investigate neonatal jaundice • Monitoring of patients with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis

The test serves the diagnosis of diseases associated with impaired bilirubin processing, such as liver diseases, bile duct obstruction or hemolysis (increased breakdown of red blood cells).

Here is the translation: An elevated bilirubin level can indicate the following conditions: • Liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis • Bile duct obstruction or gallstones • Hemolytic anemias (increased breakdown of red blood cells) A low value is unremarkable and has no clinical significance. Symptoms of elevated bilirubin can include: • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) • Dark urine and light-colored stool • Fatigue and nausea

The testing can be carried out at any time of the day.

• Bilirubin is often divided into direct (conjugated) and indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin to better identify the cause of an increase. • Newborns often have elevated bilirubin levels, which is usually harmless in physiological neonatal jaundice, but must be monitored if the values remain persistently high. • Certain medications or liver diseases can increase bilirubin levels.

Direct bilirubin is the water-soluble form of bilirubin that is formed in the liver through conjugation. It is excreted into the bile ducts and serves as a marker for diseases of the liver or bile ducts.

A test for direct bilirubin is recommended for: • People with symptoms such as jaundice, itching or abdominal pain • Patients with suspected bile duct obstruction or biliary tract diseases • Monitoring of patients with liver or gallbladder diseases • Clarification of unclear increases in total bilirubin

The test helps to distinguish the cause of increased total bilirubin. Direct bilirubin is increased in diseases that are associated with impaired bile flow or liver dysfunction.

An elevated direct bilirubin level often indicates: • Bile duct obstruction (cholestasis) due to gallstones or tumors • Liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis • Biliary atresia in newborns Symptoms may include: • Jaundice • Dark urine and light-colored stool • Itching due to bile acids

The testing can be carried out at any time of the day.

A directly elevated direct bilirubin usually indicates a disrupted bile flow, whereas an increase in indirect bilirubin is often associated with hemolysis. Direct bilirubin values are particularly helpful in clarifying biliary tract diseases. Chronic diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis can also lead to elevated values.