What are your C-reactive Protein Levels?

Doctors have known for decades that high blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) reflect inflammation in the body. In the late 1990s, Harvard Medical School physicians developed a relatively inexpensive test to measure very small changes in CRP levels, known as a high-sensitivity CRP test. You can ask your doctor to order it for a cost of around $25 (if your insurance plan does not cover it). Be sure to ask for the high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) test, which is far more accurate than older versions of the test.

Normal hsCRP: 0.11 mg/L or less
Moderately elevated hsCRP: 0.12 to 0.19 mg/L
High hsCRP: 0.20 to 1.50 mg/L
Very high hsCRP: 1.51 to 3.7 mg/L
Extremely high hsCRP: 3.8 mg/L or higher

The limitation of the hsCRP test is that it is a general indicator of chronic, low-grade inflammation. That inflammation may be related to heart disease, being overweight, diabetes, infection, arthritis, or other diseases. In addition, CRP levels can temporarily go up to 500 mg/L in very ill people.

References available on request.

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