C-Reactive Protein
Discover C-Reactive Protein levels to monitor inflammation and cardiovascular risk. Track inflammatory markers for health optimization.
What is C-Reactive Protein?
C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver in response to inflammation anywhere in the body. It rises rapidly during acute inflammation and can increase 1000-fold during severe infections or injury, making it a sensitive marker of inflammatory activity.
Why is it Tested?
Doctors order CRP to detect inflammation, monitor inflammatory conditions, assess cardiovascular disease risk (high-sensitivity CRP), evaluate infection severity, and monitor treatment response. It helps distinguish between bacterial and viral infections.
Normal Ranges
Reference ranges for CRP:
- Normal (low CV risk): <3.0 mg/L
- Moderate: 3.0–10.0 mg/L
- Elevated: ≥10.0 mg/L
For cardiovascular risk assessment, levels <1.0 mg/L indicate low risk, 1.0–3.0 mg/L moderate risk, and >3.0 mg/L high risk.
Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.
Low CRP
Normal or low levels suggest:
- Minimal inflammation
- Low cardiovascular risk
- No acute infection
High CRP
Elevated levels may indicate:
- Acute bacterial infection
- Inflammatory conditions (arthritis, IBD)
- Tissue injury or surgery
- Heart attack or stroke
- Increased cardiovascular risk
- Some cancers
How to Track Over Time
CRP levels rise and fall quickly with inflammatory conditions, making it useful for monitoring acute illness progression and treatment response. For cardiovascular risk assessment, averaged values over time provide better risk stratification than single measurements.
Track your C-Reactive Protein results over time
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