Understanding CRP vs. cCRP on Laboratory Reports
There is no standardized laboratory test called "cCRP" (calculated CRP) in clinical medicine—if you see this term on bloodwork, it likely represents a laboratory-specific notation or potential transcription error, and you should contact the laboratory directly for clarification. 1
Standard CRP Testing in Clinical Practice
The established CRP tests used in clinical medicine are:
High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP)
- Measures very low concentrations of CRP (down to 0.3 mg/L) primarily for cardiovascular risk stratification in asymptomatic patients 1
- Used specifically for CV risk assessment with cutoffs: low risk <1.0 mg/L, average risk 1.0-3.0 mg/L, high risk >3.0 mg/L 1
- The American Heart Association recommends hs-CRP for intermediate-risk patients (10-20% 10-year CHD risk) to guide more aggressive risk-reduction targets 2
Standard CRP
- Measures higher concentrations (typically >3-5 mg/L) for detecting acute inflammation, infection, or tissue injury 1
- Used for diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory conditions, infections, and treatment response 1
- Results should be expressed only as mg/L to one decimal point 1
Critical Measurement Principles
Two separate measurements taken optimally 2 weeks apart should be averaged to account for within-individual variability when assessing stable patients 1
If CRP is ≥10 mg/L, the test should be repeated and the patient examined immediately for sources of infection or inflammation 1, 2
Common Laboratory Terminology Pitfalls
- Some laboratories may use proprietary abbreviations or internal codes that differ from standard nomenclature 1
- CRP results must always be interpreted in clinical context—no single value rules in or out a specific diagnosis 3
- The coefficient of variation for CRP assays is generally 10% in the 0.3-10 mg/L range, but considerable within-individual variability exists 1
What to Do If You See "cCRP"
Contact your laboratory directly to clarify what "cCRP" represents in their reporting system, as this is not a recognized standard term in clinical guidelines from the American Heart Association, CDC, or other major medical societies 1