High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is a direct blood measurement of C-reactive protein at low concentrations, which reflects the chronic low-grade inflammation linked with cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Practitioners use it to gauge inflammatory load, sense-check ferritin and track response to changes in diet, weight, sleep and activity. Recent infection, injury, hard training or oral oestrogen can raise it, so a single result may mislead.
| Test type | Measured in a blood sample |
|---|---|
| Measurements required | hs-CRP only |
| Sample and collection | Blood draw at a collection centre |
| Preparation | If your practitioner has requested the Baseline Health Check, fast for 8 to 12 hours before a morning collection (water is fine). |
| Turnaround | 3 to 5 business days |
| Available through | Inflammatory Markers, part of the Baseline Health Check. Also in: Full Body Health Check. |
| Pricing | Included in the $99 Baseline Health Check |
| Results | Returned in the Vively practitioner platform, beside your client's other markers |
What are the hs-CRP reference and optimal ranges?
| Typical lab reference | Vively optimal | |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | Risk bands: below 1.0 mg/L low, 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L average, above 3.0 mg/L higher | Below 1.0 mg/L |
Labs differ, and some print a general CRP limit (often below 5 mg/L) beside the cardiovascular risk bands, so read the client's report (RCPA guidance). The optimal target describes chronic risk; it is not a diagnostic cut-off.
Check a client's hs-CRP result
Enter the value from your client's lab report to see where it sits against the typical lab range and the Vively optimal range.
A guide only, not a diagnosis. One result is a starting point: read it with symptoms, history and a repeat test. Labs differ, so check the result against the range on your client's report. Nothing you enter is stored or sent.
How do you arrange hs-CRP testing through Vively?
- Get verified. Practitioners with a recognised qualification or membership (ATMS, NHAA, ANTA, Dietitians Australia, NSA, CMA or Ahpra registration) can request free practitioner access.
- Choose a panel. Log in to the practitioner platform and pick a panel that includes hs-CRP, or build your own. It is included in the $99 Baseline Health Check.
- Client collects. Your client collects at a partner collection centre, with their request on their phone or printed.
- Review results. Results come back to you in the practitioner platform, beside your client's other markers, ready for the follow-up consult.
Which Vively panels include hs-CRP?
Log in to the practitioner platform to view a panel in full, or build and save your own from 100+ tests and panels.
- Baseline Health Check74 markers across 11 lab groups$99
One fasting blood draw.
Full Blood CountUrea, Electrolytes & CreatinineLiver Function TestsCalcium, Phosphate & MagnesiumLipid StudiesDiabetes & Glycaemic StudiesIron StudiesThyroid Function Tests+3 moreLog in to view this panel - Log in to view this panelFull Body Health Check87 markers · Health checksPrice on sign-up
Why does the optimal range sit there?
Our optimal band is below 1.0 mg/L, the lowest-risk band in the AHA/CDC scientific statement, which set the 1 and 3 mg/L cut points from large cohort data.
The Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration (Lancet 2010, about 160,000 people) linked CRP with coronary disease, stroke and mortality on a continuous scale, though much of that link overlaps with conventional risk factors and body fat.
A value in the optimal band does not rule out disease, and a raised value does not name a cause.
The AHA/CDC statement (Pearson, Circulation 2003) advises averaging two measurements about two weeks apart, and setting aside values above 10 mg/L for risk purposes until repeated.
What should hs-CRP be read with?
- Contexths-CRP 3 to 10 mg/L with high fasting insulin or triglycerides
Adipose-driven low-grade inflammation, often alongside insulin resistance.
- Contexths-CRP above 10 mg/L with raised neutrophils
Acute infection or injury is likely; repeat in two to four weeks once well.
- ContextNormal or high ferritin with raised hs-CRP
Ferritin rises with inflammation and may overstate iron stores; check transferrin saturation.
- HighRaised hs-CRP with high ApoB or Lp(a)
Inflammatory and lipid risk add together; worth a GP absolute risk discussion.
- ContextPersistently raised hs-CRP with low albumin
Ongoing inflammatory disease is more likely; needs GP review.
What can affect a hs-CRP result?
- Recent infection (including a cold), injury, surgery, dental work or vaccination.
- Endurance events and very hard training, which raise CRP for one to three days.
- Oral oestrogen (combined pill, oral HRT) and pregnancy raise it; transdermal oestrogen has less effect.
- Excess body fat, smoking, poor sleep and gum disease keep it raised.
- Statins, NSAIDs and corticosteroids lower it.
- Chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
When should you refer the client to their GP?
- Above 10 mg/L without an obvious recent cause, or still above 10 mg/L on repeat.
- Persistently above 3 mg/L with fever, night sweats, weight loss, joint swelling or a change in bowel habit.
- A rising trend across tests with no lifestyle explanation.
How should a client prepare for a hs-CRP test?
Copy or print this to send to your client.
Preparing for your hs-CRP test
- If your practitioner has requested the Baseline Health Check, fast for 8 to 12 hours before a morning collection (water is fine).
- Book your test at least two weeks after any infection, injury or vaccination, as these raise CRP for a while.
- Avoid hard training for 48 hours before your test.
- Take your pathology request to any of 4,000+ collection centres. Bring it printed or on your phone.
- Keep taking prescribed medicines as usual unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Results usually take 3 to 5 business days and come to your practitioner. Book your results appointment for after that.
How do practitioners use hs-CRP with clients?
A Mediterranean-style pattern rich in plants and omega-3 sources, less alcohol, regular activity, better sleep and stress management can bring hs-CRP down, and weight loss in clients carrying excess fat often moves it most. Retest after two to three months, and judge change against a two-test average where possible.
hs-CRP FAQs
Can a naturopath, nutritionist or dietitian order hs-CRP through Vively?
Yes. Add it to a client panel on the Vively practitioner platform. It is part of Inflammatory Markers in the $99 Baseline Health Check, and is also in Full Body Health Check. No account yet? Request free access.
How long after an illness should hs-CRP be tested?
Wait at least two weeks after symptoms settle. CRP rises within hours of infection or injury and takes one to two weeks to fall back, so an earlier test mostly reflects the acute event. If a result comes back above 10 mg/L, repeat it two to four weeks later before reading it as chronic risk.
Is hs-CRP the same as a standard CRP?
It is the same protein measured with a more sensitive assay. Standard CRP is built for the higher values seen in infection and inflammatory disease and often reports low results only as below 5 mg/L. The high-sensitivity assay resolves values under 1 mg/L, which is the range that matters for cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
What does an hs-CRP above 10 mg/L mean?
It usually points to acute infection or injury rather than chronic low-grade inflammation, especially if neutrophils are also raised. Repeat in two to four weeks once the client is well. If it is still above 10 mg/L on repeat, or has no obvious recent cause, involve the client's GP, as it then needs a different explanation.
Can hs-CRP change how I read ferritin?
Yes. Ferritin rises with inflammation, so a normal or high ferritin alongside a raised hs-CRP may overstate the client's iron stores. Check transferrin saturation before concluding iron status is adequate. Reading the two together stops an inflammatory rise in ferritin from being mistaken for iron sufficiency.
References
- Pearson TA, Mensah GA, Alexander RW, et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: application to clinical and public health practice. A statement for healthcare professionals from the CDC and the AHA. Circulation. 2003.
- Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration. C-reactive protein concentration and risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and mortality: an individual participant meta-analysis. Lancet. 2010.
- RCPA Manual. C-reactive protein.
- Pathology Tests Explained. C-reactive protein (CRP). Source