Friday, February, 10, 2012

C-reactive protein

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

CRP; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; hs-CRP


Normal Values

Normal CRP values vary from lab to lab. Generally, there is no CRP detectable in the blood.

Your doctor may also use a highly sensitive test called hs-CRP to help determine your risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association:

  • You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0mg/L
  • You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L
  • You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

A positive test means you have inflammation in the body. This may be due to a variety of different conditions, including:

  • Cancer
  • Connective tissue disease
  • Heart attack
  • Infection
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Lupus
  • Pneumococcal pneumonia
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Rheumatic fever
  • Tuberculosis

This list is not all inclusive.

Note: Positive CRP results also occur during the last half of pregnancy or with the use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives).


Review Date: 02/10/2011
Reviewed By: Michael E. Makover, MD, professor and attendingin Rheumatology and the New York University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)