Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
C-reactive protein (CRP), a member of the pentraxin family, exists in at least two structurally distinct forms: the native pentameric CRP (pCRP) and the monomeric CRP (mCRP). Research indicates that pCRP can exhibit both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects depending on the context. In contrast, mCRP demonstrates strong pro-inflammatory activity, acting on endothelial cells, endothelial progenitor cells, leukocytes, and platelets, thereby potentially amplifying the inflammatory response. The conversion of pCRP to mCRP may represent a direct mechanism linking CRP to inflammation.
Clinically, CRP is widely used as a serum biomarker to monitor acute inflammatory responses. Elevated baseline CRP levels have also been shown to reflect ongoing chronic inflammation and tissue damage due to excessive or unresolved inflammatory activity. While transient spikes in CRP are typically associated with acute infection or inflammation and are often excluded in studies of chronic conditions, persistently elevated CRP levels over time are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the development of atherosclerosis. Additionally, chronic inflammatory diseases such as hemorrhagic stroke, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been associated with altered CRP levels as seen in (Table 1).
Table 1.
Chronic inflammatory diseases associated with CRP levels.
| Disease category | Pathology/disease type | CRP (mCRP/nCRP) levels | Role and clinical significance of CRP |
| CVD | Atherosclerosis, chronic heart failure | Elevated mCRP levels | Inflammatory biomarker, risk predictor, participant |
| T2DM | Insulin resistance | Elevated CRP levels | Inflammatory biomarker, risk predictor, mediator |
| AMD | Progressive visual impairment, senile macular degeneration, blinding disease | Elevated CRP levels | Inflammatory biomarker, risk predictor |
| Hemorrhagic Stroke | Intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain injury | Elevated CRP levels | Inflammatory biomarker, risk predictor |
| AD | Neurodegenerative disorder, dementia | Reduced/elevated CRP levels | Inflammatory biomarker, no causal role |
| PD | Neurodegenerative disorder, motor symptoms | Elevated CRP levels | Inflammatory biomarker, risk predictor |
CRP plays an important role in the progression of various chronic inflammatory diseases. This table lists diseases associated with nCRP and monomeric CRP (mCRP) levels. Although any potential mechanism underlying the effect of CRP on these processes is incompletely elucidated, its clinical significance appears to be positive.
References
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.
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