From the Research
C-reactive protein (CRP) is also known as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in laboratory testing, as well as pentameric CRP (pCRP) and monomeric CRP (mCRP) in reference to its different forms. This blood test measures the level of a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body 1. When ordering this test, healthcare providers may use either name interchangeably, though hs-CRP specifically refers to the more sensitive version of the test that can detect lower levels of inflammation.
Key Points
- CRP testing is commonly used to assess for infection, inflammatory conditions, or to evaluate cardiovascular risk 2.
- The test requires a simple blood draw and results are typically reported in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) 3.
- Normal CRP levels are generally below 10 mg/L, with levels above this suggesting significant inflammation or infection.
- The high-sensitivity version is particularly useful for detecting subtle inflammation associated with heart disease risk, where even slight elevations can be clinically meaningful 1.
Clinical Use
- CRP has been used as a biomarker for various diseases, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and autoimmune conditions 3.
- It has also been used to monitor disease activity and response to treatment 4.
- However, it is essential to interpret CRP results in the clinical context, as a single value cannot be used to rule in or rule out a specific diagnosis 5.