C-reactive protein, serum/plasma concentration (high-sensitivity)
This test measures a protein in your blood that rises when your body is responding to inflammation or infection.
["hs-CRP helps track inflammation, a common marker for conditions like heart disease or autoimmune disorders."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 100395-3
- Short code
- CAROBIGG
- Synonyms
- Carob IgG Qn
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top tube without anticoagulant
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (e.g., ELISA, ImmunoCAP, or similar quantitative IgG antibody detection method)
- CPT
- 86001
- SNOMED
- 39513008
- Specimen volume
- 0.5–1 mL serum (minimum 0.3 mL)
- Stability
- Serum stable for 7 days at 2–8°C; for longer storage, freeze at -20°C or below for up to 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–96 hours
- Order
- routine
What Is hs-CRP Used For?
Doctors often use hs-CRP to assess the risk of heart disease or other inflammatory conditions. It may also help monitor treatment progress in conditions like arthritis or other chronic inflammatory diseases.
How Is It Collected?
A blood sample is drawn from a vein, usually in your arm. The blood is sent to a lab for analysis.
What Does a High or Low Result Mean?
A higher-than-normal hs-CRP level may indicate increased inflammation, which can be linked to conditions like heart disease, infections, or autoimmune disorders. A very low level suggests minimal inflammation. Results alone don’t diagnose a specific condition but may guide further testing or treatment planning.
Common Conditions Monitored
hs-CRP is commonly used to monitor inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or after surgeries to check for complications like infection or poor healing.
Reference range
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay method. Results are typically reported in arbitrary units (e.g., kU/L or units/mL) with values below the assay cutoff considered negative and values at or above the cutoff considered positive for carob-specific IgG antibodies.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Fasting is not necessary. Patients should continue their regular diet prior to testing, as elimination diets may affect antibody detection. Inform the ordering provider of any current antihistamine or immunosuppressive medication use.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
hs-CRP
Frequently asked questions
Why might my doctor order this test?
What if my hs-CRP level is elevated?
Does diet or exercise affect hs-CRP levels?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy