Immune & Inflammation
CRP, High Sensitivity (hsCRP)
Immune & Inflammation
Highly sensitive inflammation marker. Detects low-grade chronic inflammation.
VAT-exempt medical service
The liver raises CRP within hours of infection, injury or inflammation. An ordinary CRP test is designed for the high levels seen in acute illness, while the high-sensitivity method measures accurately in the low range. That makes hs-CRP useful for assessing persistent low-grade inflammation rather than acute infection.
The test is used to assess low-grade inflammation, sometimes as an addition to cardiovascular risk assessment, and to follow known inflammatory conditions. It is not recommended as a routine screening test on its own: a single value says little, and the result is easily disturbed by any recent infection.
What a high value can mean
A value above 10 mg/L usually reflects an acute cause such as infection, injury or a flare of inflammatory disease, and should be repeated once you are well. In the low range, levels below 1 mg/L are generally considered low risk, 1 to 3 mg/L intermediate and above 3 mg/L higher risk. These categories come from international cardiovascular research and are used as one factor among several, not as a diagnosis. Excess weight, smoking, recent exercise and pregnancy all raise the value.
What a low value can mean
A low hs-CRP indicates little measurable inflammation at the time of testing. It does not exclude disease: some inflammatory and autoimmune conditions run with a normal CRP, and the result should be read together with your symptoms.
If you are combining this with a lipid panel, fast for ten to twelve hours. Take the test when you are well: a recent cold, injury or infection raises CRP and makes the result difficult to interpret. Bring valid ID to your appointment.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
They measure the same protein. The high-sensitivity method is accurate at low levels, which is what matters when assessing long-term low-grade inflammation. For a suspected infection, an ordinary CRP is sufficient.
Weight loss, stopping smoking and regular physical activity are associated with lower levels. The effect varies between individuals, and hs-CRP is not a measure of how healthy your diet is.
Yes. Statins, anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids lower CRP. Hormonal contraception and hormone therapy can raise it. Mention what you take when the result is assessed.