hsCRP

What is hsCRP?

hs-CRP is a sensitive measure of low-grade inflammation. It's a protein your liver produces when something is 'smouldering' somewhere in your body. A low value points to a calm, minimally inflamed system: favourable for your heart and your overall ageing. It's a mirror of recovery and lifestyle.

Clinical frame

hs-CRP is an acute-phase protein and a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation. Beyond its cardiovascular role it has a diagnostically corrective role: inflammation raises the hormone hepcidin through IL-6, which locks iron away in gut cells and macrophages. The result is a functional iron deficiency with normal or even raised stores ^[1].

hs-CRP is the most sensitive routine marker of low-grade inflammation: below 1, between 1 and 3 and above 3 mg/L stand for low, average and high risk, independently of LDL cholesterol ^[2]. For persistent hs-CRP above 3 mg/L the ACC advises lifestyle first: Mediterranean eating, exercise, smoking cessation and weight loss ^[3].

What moves this value?

A recent cold, little sleep, lots of processed food, belly fat or too little recovery can raise it temporarily or for longer.

Enough sleep, regular movement, less processed food and genuine moments of rest cool inflammation down. Measure again if you've recently been ill.

What this connects

• ApoB
• Ferritin
• Homocysteine

References

1. Ganz, T. Anemia of inflammation. N Engl J Med 381, 1148–1157 (2019). doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1804281
2. Ridker, P. M. A test in context: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. J Am Coll Cardiol 67, 712–723 (2016). doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.11.037
3. Mensah, G. A., Arnold, N., Prabhu, S. D., Ridker, P. M. & Welty, F. K. Inflammation and cardiovascular disease: 2025 ACC scientific statement. J Am Coll Cardiol 87, 1381–1404 (2026). doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.08.047