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High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Testing

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Testing

January 21, 2026
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Do I need a High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) test?

Worried about unexplained fatigue, joint discomfort, or your heart health risk? Could hidden inflammation be affecting your body, and might an hs-CRP test reveal what's happening beneath the surface?

hs-CRP measures subtle levels of inflammation in your body, particularly around your blood vessels and heart. Elevated levels can signal increased cardiovascular risk even before symptoms appear.

Testing your hs-CRP gives you a vital snapshot of your inflammatory status, empowering you to personalize your nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle strategies to address the root causes behind fatigue, discomfort, and long-term heart health concerns. Getting tested is your first step toward targeted action.

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If you’ve been postponing blood testing for years or feel frustrated by doctor appointments and limited lab panels, you are not alone. Standard healthcare is often reactive, focusing on testing only after symptoms appear or leaving patients in the dark.

Superpower flips that approach. We give you full insight into your body with over 100 biomarkers, personalized action plans, long-term tracking, and answers to your questions, so you can stay ahead of any health issues.

With physician-reviewed results, CLIA-certified labs, and the option for at-home blood draws, Superpower is designed for people who want clarity, convenience, and real accountability - all in one place.

Key benefits of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) testing

  • Measures low-grade inflammation linked to heart disease and metabolic stress.
  • Flags cardiovascular risk years before symptoms appear in healthy adults.
  • Guides statin therapy decisions when cholesterol results fall in borderline zones.
  • Tracks whether lifestyle changes or treatments are lowering chronic inflammation.
  • Explains fatigue, joint pain, or brain fog tied to systemic inflammation.
  • Spots hidden inflammation affecting fertility, ovulation, and hormone balance.
  • Monitors autoimmune or inflammatory conditions to assess disease activity over time.
  • Best interpreted with lipid panel, glucose markers, and your clinical history.

What is High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)?

Your liver's smoke alarm for inflammation

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a protein produced by your liver in response to inflammation anywhere in your body. When tissues are injured, infected, or stressed, immune cells release chemical signals called cytokines that travel through your bloodstream to the liver. The liver responds by ramping up production of CRP and releasing it into circulation.

A window into chronic, low-grade inflammation

Unlike standard CRP tests that detect acute infections or major injuries, the hs-CRP test measures very small amounts of this protein. This makes it especially useful for detecting subtle, chronic inflammation that may be silently damaging blood vessels and contributing to heart disease. Even slightly elevated hs-CRP levels can signal ongoing inflammatory processes linked to atherosclerosis, metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk.

Why sensitivity matters

The "high-sensitivity" aspect allows doctors to spot inflammation at levels far below what older tests could detect. This precision helps identify people at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes before obvious symptoms appear.

Why is High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) important?

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein measures low-grade inflammation circulating throughout your body, offering a window into vascular health and metabolic stress that standard tests often miss. Your liver produces CRP in response to inflammatory signals from blood vessels, fat tissue, and immune cells. Values below 1 mg/L suggest minimal systemic inflammation, 1 to 3 mg/L indicates moderate risk, and above 3 mg/L reflects higher inflammatory burden.

What very low inflammation tells you

When hs-CRP sits well below 1 mg/L, your cardiovascular system typically operates with minimal inflammatory stress. Blood vessel linings remain stable, and metabolic pathways function smoothly. This range correlates with lower long-term risk for heart attack and stroke, independent of cholesterol levels.

When inflammation starts signaling trouble

Elevated hs-CRP above 3 mg/L points to active inflammation affecting artery walls, metabolic tissues, or both. This state accelerates plaque formation in coronary arteries and destabilizes existing deposits. You may feel entirely well, as chronic low-grade inflammation rarely causes immediate symptoms, yet it silently raises cardiovascular event risk over years.

The bigger inflammatory picture

hs-CRP connects cardiovascular risk to metabolic health, linking conditions like insulin resistance, obesity, and autoimmune activity. Women often show slightly higher baseline values, and levels can spike dramatically during pregnancy or acute illness. Tracking this biomarker helps identify hidden inflammatory processes before they manifest as clinical disease, making it a powerful tool for long-term risk assessment.

What do my High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) results mean?

Low hs-CRP values

Low values usually reflect minimal systemic inflammation and a low burden of vascular stress. The liver produces CRP in response to inflammatory signals, so consistently low levels suggest that immune activation and tissue injury are minimal. This is generally favorable for cardiovascular and metabolic health, as chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis and insulin resistance.

Optimal hs-CRP values

Being in range suggests a stable inflammatory baseline without significant ongoing tissue damage or immune activation. For cardiovascular risk stratification, optimal typically sits at the lower end of the reference range. Many labs define low risk as below 1 milligram per liter, moderate risk between 1 and 3, and high risk above 3, though these thresholds reflect population-based cardiovascular outcomes rather than disease presence.

High hs-CRP values

High values usually reflect active systemic inflammation, which may arise from infection, autoimmune activity, tissue injury, obesity, or chronic conditions like metabolic syndrome. Elevated hs-CRP indicates that the liver is responding to circulating inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6. Persistently high levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and may signal underlying processes that promote endothelial dysfunction and plaque instability.

Factors that influence hs-CRP

Results can be transiently elevated during acute illness, after surgery, or with recent injury. Pregnancy, smoking, and certain medications may also raise levels. A single elevated result warrants repeat testing to distinguish chronic inflammation from temporary spikes.

Method: FDA-cleared clinical laboratory assay performed in CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratories. Used to aid clinician-directed evaluation and monitoring. Not a stand-alone diagnosis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How it works
What should I expect during a blood draw?
  • A trained phlebotomist will guide you through the process.
  • A tourniquet is placed on your arm, the site is cleaned, and a small needle is used to collect blood into one or more tubes.
  • Results are usually ready in about a week.
  • Most people feel only a quick pinch.
  • The needle is removed, gentle pressure is applied, and a bandage is placed.
How do I prepare for a blood draw?
  • Drink plenty of water beforehand — hydration makes veins easier to find.
  • Wear loose sleeves so your arm is easy to access.
  • Follow any fasting instructions you’ve been given.
  • Let us know if you’re on medications, have fainted before, or have needle anxiety.
What should I do after my blood draw?
  • Press gently on the site for a few minutes.
  • Keep the bandage on for 4-6 hours.
  • Skip heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
  • Drink extra water to rehydrate.
  • Monitor the site for redness, swelling, or pain.
How do I book a blood draw with Superpower?

Your membership includes:

  • An annual full body test and report across 100+ biomarkers
  • A personalized action plan to optimize your biomarkers and reach your health goals
  • A dashboard to centralize your health data and track changes across a lifetime
  • Access to a health concierge for questions on your plan and help scheduling
  • Plus a marketplace of curated health products and services cheaper than amazon

Many concierge clinics charge $10k – $100k for their services, we’ve built technology to make the world’s best healthcare as accessible as possible via an all-in-one membership.

Where can I take my blood test?

Superpower is currently available in the following US states:

  • Alabama
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Our testing
Does Superpower replace my primary care provider?

Superpower specializes in prevention-based testing and treatments and is not intended for emergency or immediate health issues.

While you will have a Superpower care team, your annual membership is designed to complement a primary care doctor if you have one, not replace them.

We are happy to help you share any test results with an outside provider to ensure you receive well-rounded medical care.

How fast are blood test results and how do I read them?

Your annual lab test panel takes about a week to process. We will text you as soon as they become available in your dashboard. Other types of tests may have different testing windows. The Superpower concierge is your own health assistant who helps answer your questions on your results, ensure smooth scheduling, coordination of any office-based tests, specialist referrals as needed, and navigating you to interface with your care team.

Does Superpower accept health insurance?

Superpower membership and products are all eligible for HSA/FSA funding.

We see Superpower like a gym membership for those committed to prevention and performance. Superpower is a bridge between wellness and healthcare. Health insurance traditionally focuses on reactive care whereas, at Superpower, we believe it’s never too early to start looking out for your long-term health.

What if I want more than 1 blood test per year?

Absolutely — you're not limited to just one. Your membership includes one comprehensive 100+ biomarker blood test each year, but if you'd like to track your progress more closely, you can add extra tests at any time. Each additional full-panel test costs $179. You can order as many as you'd like throughout the year.

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Frequently Asked Questions about High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Testing

What is a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test and what does it measure?

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that measures very low levels of C-reactive protein made by your liver in response to inflammatory signals (cytokines). Unlike standard CRP tests that help detect acute infection or major inflammation, hs-CRP is designed to detect subtle, chronic, low-grade inflammation - especially inflammation affecting blood vessel walls. This makes hs-CRP useful for assessing cardiovascular disease risk and metabolic stress even before symptoms appear.

How is hs-CRP different from a standard CRP test for inflammation?

Standard CRP tests are typically used to detect significant, acute inflammation from infections, injuries, or inflammatory diseases. hs-CRP uses a more sensitive method that can detect much lower CRP concentrations, making it better for identifying chronic, low-grade inflammation that may not cause obvious symptoms. This low-grade inflammation is linked to atherosclerosis, plaque instability, metabolic dysfunction, and long-term risk of heart attack and stroke, which is why hs-CRP is often used in heart risk assessment.

What do hs-CRP numbers mean for heart disease risk (mg/L ranges)?

hs-CRP results are commonly interpreted as: below 1 mg/L = low inflammation and lower cardiovascular risk; 1–3 mg/L = moderate inflammation and moderate risk; above 3 mg/L = elevated inflammatory burden and higher cardiovascular risk. These ranges reflect systemic inflammation that can influence blood vessel health and plaque behavior. For best accuracy in cardiovascular risk stratification, hs-CRP should be interpreted alongside a lipid panel, blood pressure, and your personal health history.

Why would my doctor order hs-CRP if my cholesterol is normal?

hs-CRP can reveal “hidden” cardiovascular risk because it captures inflammatory activity inside blood vessel walls that cholesterol tests may miss. People can have normal cholesterol yet still have vascular inflammation that contributes to plaque formation and rupture, raising the likelihood of heart attack or stroke. Clinicians often use hs-CRP as an additional marker of atherosclerosis risk, especially when overall cardiovascular risk appears borderline or uncertain based on traditional lipid panels alone.

How does hs-CRP help guide statin therapy decisions when risk is borderline?

When cardiovascular risk is unclear - such as normal cholesterol but other risk factors - hs-CRP can add actionable information. Elevated hs-CRP suggests increased vascular inflammation and plaque instability, supporting a more preventive approach. In borderline cases, clinicians may use hs-CRP trends along with a lipid panel and blood pressure to decide whether statin therapy (or intensifying lifestyle changes) is appropriate. It’s not a standalone “yes/no” test, but a useful signal in shared decision-making.

How can I lower high hs-CRP levels with lifestyle changes and why does that matter?

High hs-CRP often reflects chronic, low-grade inflammation linked to obesity (especially visceral fat), poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, chronic stress, insulin resistance, and gum disease. Lowering inflammation matters because persistent hs-CRP above 3 mg/L is associated with higher risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. Tracking hs-CRP over time can show whether lifestyle changes or medications are reducing inflammatory burden and improving vascular health.

Why can hs-CRP help explain unexplained fatigue or vague symptoms related to chronic inflammation?

hs-CRP is a marker of systemic inflammation, which can “smolder” without obvious signs of infection. Persistently elevated hs-CRP may indicate ongoing immune activation and tissue stress that can accompany chronic conditions such as metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, obesity, or autoimmune activity. While hs-CRP does not diagnose a specific disease, it can help frame unexplained fatigue or nonspecific symptoms in the context of inflammation and guide next steps with clinical evaluation and trend monitoring.

Why is hs-CRP especially useful for assessing heart disease risk in women?

Women may have cardiovascular disease without typical symptoms, and inflammatory patterns can differ due to hormonal influences and adipose tissue effects. The context notes that women often run slightly higher hs-CRP than men, which makes interpretation more individualized. Because hs-CRP detects vascular inflammation that may not show up on cholesterol testing, it can clarify risk in women when traditional markers are inconclusive, supporting earlier prevention using a full risk picture (lipids, blood pressure, history).

What can falsely raise hs-CRP results, and when should the test be repeated?

hs-CRP can rise temporarily from acute infections, recent injury, surgery, or flare-ups of chronic inflammatory disease. Pregnancy, hormone therapy, and some medications can also influence levels. For cardiovascular risk assessment, results are most meaningful when you are clinically stable and not acutely ill. If a result is unexpectedly high, repeat testing after recovery can help determine whether the elevation reflects chronic low-grade inflammation versus a temporary inflammatory spike.

How should hs-CRP be interpreted alongside a lipid panel and blood pressure for cardiovascular risk?

hs-CRP is best used as an adjunct - not a replacement - for traditional risk factors. A lipid panel shows cholesterol-related risk, blood pressure reflects vascular strain, and hs-CRP adds information about inflammatory activity in blood vessels that contributes to plaque growth and rupture. Combining these markers with personal health history provides more accurate long-term risk stratification, especially when cholesterol looks normal or risk is borderline. Monitoring hs-CRP trends can also track response to lifestyle changes or medications.

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