hs-CRP

Measured in mg/L

A more sensitive version of the CRP inflammation test used to detect low-level inflammation for cardiovascular risk context — but it's non-specific and rises with any recent illness.

What it is

hs-CRP ('high-sensitivity C-reactive protein') measures the same liver-made protein as a standard CRP, just with an assay tuned to detect much smaller amounts — the low-grade inflammation that standard CRP can't resolve. It's used mainly as one input among many when a clinician is putting cardiovascular risk in context, typically alongside things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and personal history — never as a risk verdict on its own. The critical caveat is that CRP is completely non-specific: a cold, a recent injury, a flare of any inflammatory condition, or a hard workout can raise it, so a single elevated value taken close to an illness usually can't be interpreted, and repeat testing when you're well is a common approach.

Typical range

  • Adultsunder 3.0 mg/L

Source · CDC/AHA (2003)

Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and what is normal for you depends on your own history. Your own lab’s range is the one printed on your report.

Worth asking your clinician

  • Was I recently unwell or injured in a way that could have raised this, and would rechecking when I'm well be more informative?
  • How does this fit into my overall cardiovascular risk picture alongside my other results and history?
  • Is this a number you'd want to follow over time in my case?