From NCBI Thanks BB interesting "Interfering F
Post# of 148109
"Interfering Factors
Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), will falsely decrease CRP levels. Statins, as well, have been known to reduce CRP levels falsely. Recent injury or illness can falsely elevate levels, particularly when using this test for cardiac risk stratification. Magnesium supplementation also can decrease CRP levels.
As mentioned above, mild elevations in CRP can be seen without any systemic or inflammatory disease. Females and elderly patients have higher levels of CRP. Obesity, insomnia, depression, smoking, and diabetes can all contribute to mild elevations in CRP, and the results shall be interpreted with caution in individuals with these comorbidities.
Complications
Given the highly variable causality of elevated CRP, marginal elevations in the CRP can be difficult to interpret and should not be used as an isolated test result interpreted as appropriate for the clinical picture. It is useful in suggesting infection versus inflammation if the levels are extremely high, but levels between 1 mg/dL and 10 mg/dL can be difficult to interpret accurately. Chronic conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis or SLE, can make these levels elevated chronically, making it harder to determine if there is any significance to an elevated hs-CRP level when using it as a predictive marker for cardiovascular disease.
Clinical Significance
Very high levels of CRP, greater than 50 mg/dL, are associated with bacterial infections about 90% of the time. In multiple studies, CRP has been used as a prognostic factor in acute and chronic infections, including hepatitis C, dengue, and malaria. [10][11][12] On the other hand, mild elevations may or may not be clinically relevant. Clinical correlation is strongly recommended while interpreting the results of the CRP test.