Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Doctors Explain How Chronic Inflammation Tests Are Interpreted
Inflammation is how the body responds to certain problems.
Doctors can use blood tests called CRP and ESR to look for signs of it.
These tests are used for both men and women.
But a result can be affected by things like age, hormones, pregnancy or anaemia.
Some lab results also have different reference ranges for men and women.
Doctors say people should use the range given by their own laboratory, not compare their results with numbers they find online.
Symptoms can differ depending on what is causing the inflammation.
A separate inflammation test panel just for women is not needed.
Inflammatory tests are generally the same for men and women.
Symptoms may vary depending on the underlying condition.
CRP and ESR are commonly used for both sexes.
Age, sex, hormones, pregnancy and anaemia can influence test results.
Doctors say there is no need for a separate female inflammation panel.
- Who
- Doctors Dr Nandita and Dr MK discussed inflammation testing.
- What
- They explained how inflammatory tests are used and interpreted for men and women.
- Why
- To explain that test results need to be interpreted in context and against the laboratory's reference ranges.
- Common tests
- CRP and ESR
- Who the tests are used for
- Men and women
- Factors that can influence results
- Age, sex, hormones, pregnancy and anaemia
- Reference ranges
- Some laboratory measurements have sex-specific reference ranges.
- Separate female panel
- The doctors said a separate female inflammation panel is not needed.