Which blood test can indicate inflammation in the body?

The test that is most commonly used to indicate inflammation in the body is C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein is produced by the liver in response to inflammation, and elevated levels of CRP in the blood indicate that there is ongoing inflammation in the body. This makes it a reliable marker for various inflammatory conditions, ranging from infections to chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

While the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is another blood test that can indicate the presence of inflammation, it often reflects chronic inflammation and can be influenced by several other factors such as anemia or infection. It measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube, which can indicate inflammation but is not as specific or timely as a CRP test.

Hemoglobin A1c is primarily used to monitor long-term blood glucose levels for individuals with diabetes and is not a marker for inflammation. Liver function tests evaluate liver enzyme levels and overall liver health, and while liver disease can be associated with inflammation, these tests do not directly measure inflammation in the body.