What Role Does C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Play in Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome?
High hs-CRP levels also predict increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In some patients, this increased inflammation comes from obesity, as fat cells secrete proteins which stimulate the production of C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Patients with the metabolic syndrome have an increased chance of developing heart disease and diabetes. Individuals are currently classified as having the metabolic sydrome if they meet 3 of the following 5 criteria: low HDL or “good” cholesterol, obesity, high triglycerides, increased blood sugar levels or high blood pressure. These however don’t represent all the components or contributing factors in the metabolic syndrome. CRP levels are known to increase with the number of metabolic syndrome components present, and since they provide the physician with added information on the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, many physicians include a test for hs-CRP when screening a patient for the metabolic syndrome. Certain types of medical specialists s
