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C-reactive protein

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

CRP; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; hs-CRP

Normal Values:

Normal CRP values vary from lab to lab. Generally, there is no CRP detectable in the blood.

Your doctor may also use a highly sensitive test called hs-CRP to determine your risk of heart disease. According to the American Heart Association:

• You are at low risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is lower than 1.0mg/L.
• You are at average risk of developing cardiovascular disease if your levels are between 1.0 and 3.0 mg/L.
• You are at high risk for cardiovascular disease if your hs-CRP level is higher than 3.0 mg/L.

What abnormal results mean:

A positive test means you have inflammation in the body. This may be due to a variety of different conditions, including:

• Cancer
• Connective tissue disease
• Heart attack
• Infection
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
• Lupus
• Pneumococcal pneumonia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Rheumatic fever
• Tuberculosis

This list is not all inclusive.

Note: Positive CRP results also occur during the last half of pregnancy or with the use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives).

• Review Date: 1/16/2007
• Reviewed By: Mark James Borigini, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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