Inflammatory markers are a term that is often used when doctors want to find out whether something is wrong in the body. But what exactly are these markers, why are they important – and how are they examined in laboratory medicine?

What are inflammation markers?

Inflammatory markers are substances in the blood that the body produces when inflammation occurs. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection or other problems – such as a cut, flu or a chronic disease like rheumatism. These markers are like little alarm bells: they signal that the immune system is active and fighting something. The best-known inflammatory markers include C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and certain white blood cells, such as leukocytes. Each of these markers shows in its own way whether and to what extent inflammation is raging in the body.

Why are inflammation markers important?

Inflammation can be harmless, like the common cold, or a sign of something more serious, like an infection, an autoimmune disease or even heart problems. Inflammation markers help doctors to find out. In Germany, they are a standard tool to get clarity quickly. For example, CRP rises when bacteria or viruses are involved – this can be the case with pneumonia or appendicitis. The blood sedimentation rate tends to show long-term inflammation, for example in arthritis. And a high leukocyte count indicates that the immune system is currently working hard.

Why is this so important? Inflammation can cause damage if it goes unnoticed. Chronic inflammation is associated with heart disease, diabetes and cancer, for example. Inflammation markers therefore not only indicate acute problems, but can also warn us before something worse happens. They are like an early warning system for the body.

How are inflammation markers determined in laboratory medicine?

In laboratory medicine, inflammation markers are usually measured using a simple blood sample. This is how it works in Germany: The doctor takes some blood from a vein, usually in the arm, and sends it to the laboratory. There they check which markers are elevated and to what extent. The most important tests are

• C-reactive protein (CRP): CRP is produced by the liver when an inflammation starts. It is measured in the laboratory using an immunoassay: Antibodies recognize the protein and a device measures how much of it is in the blood. Normal values are below 5 mg/l (milligrams per liter). In the case of a severe infection, the value can rise to over 100 mg/l.
  
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This looks at how quickly red blood cells sink in a tube. In the case of inflammation, they sink faster because certain proteins make the blood “thicker”. The ESR is given in millimeters per hour (mm/h). In women, the normal value is usually below 20 mm/h, in men below 15 mm/h – but this can vary with age.
  
• Leukocytes (white blood cells): These cells fight against infections. In the laboratory, an automatic counting device is used to measure how many are in the blood. A normal count is 4,000 to 10,000 per microliter. A higher value shows that the body is actively fighting against something.

Sometimes other markers such as interleukin-6 or procalcitonin are also tested, especially in the case of severe infections such as sepsis. These tests are more complex, but very accurate. Laboratory medicine in Germany uses state-of-the-art technology that delivers fast and reliable results.

What happens to the results?

As soon as the values are available, the doctor looks at what they mean. A slightly elevated CRP could indicate a cold, a very high value a bacterial infection that may need antibiotics. The ESR helps to monitor chronic inflammation such as rheumatism, while leukocytes are more noticeable in acute problems such as tonsillitis. Often the markers are looked at in combination to get a clear picture.

If the values are abnormal, further examinations usually follow – such as an ultrasound or an X-ray – to find the cause. The treatment then depends on what is behind it: medication against infections, anti-inflammatory drugs or simply rest and time.

Conclusion

Inflammation markers are like detectives in the blood: they track down where something is wrong in the body and help doctors to take the right steps. In Germany, laboratory medicine makes this possible with simple tests that quickly show whether an inflammation is harmless or needs more attention. In this way, these markers help to detect and treat diseases at an early stage – a small glimpse into the blood with a big impact on health.

Matching:

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