C-reactive protein (CRP) by nephelometry (high-sensitivity)
This test measures a protein in your blood that rises when inflammation is present, often used to check for low-grade inflammation or infection.
["High CRP levels may signal inflammation, which can help guide treatment for conditions like heart disease or autoimmune disorders."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 111559-1
- Short code
- FLUBV RNA BAS Ql NAA+n-prb
- Synonyms
- FLUBV RNA BAS Ql NAA+n-prb
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- non-probe-amp-tar
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to monitor chronic conditions like arthritis, heart disease, or kidney problems, or to check for signs of infection or inflammation after surgery, injury, or illness. High-sensitivity CRP helps detect mild inflammation that standard CRP tests might miss.
What Does the Result Mean?
Results are not given in absolute numbers but are compared to a reference range for your age and health status. Elevated levels may indicate inflammation, while normal levels suggest low or no inflammation. Your doctor will interpret results in the context of your medical history and other tests.
What Can Affect Results?
Factors like recent illness, infection, stress, smoking, or certain medications (e.g., steroids) can affect CRP levels. Avoiding strenuous activity or extreme stress for 24 hours before testing may improve accuracy.
How Is This Test Performed?
A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. The sample is processed to measure CRP using a specialized nephelometry method, which detects the protein’s presence without relying on a fixed numeric range.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
hs-CRP
Frequently asked questions
CRP is a marker for systemic inflammation, meaning it can reflect widespread body responses to injury, infection, or immune activity. High-sensitivity CRP is particularly useful for identifying subtle inflammation in conditions like cardiovascular disease, where early detection may improve outcomes. It’s also used to assess response to treatments for inflammatory diseases.
A high CRP level suggests inflammation is present in your body. This could be due to infection, an autoimmune condition, or other inflammatory processes. Your doctor will discuss the cause with you based on your symptoms and other test results.
Yes, lifestyle changes like eating a heart-healthy diet (e.g., Mediterranean diet), staying physically active, quitting smoking, and managing stress can help reduce inflammation. Your doctor may also recommend specific treatments if inflammation is linked to a treatable condition.
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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy