| Marker | Gabriel optimal | Typical lab range | Functional range |
|---|---|---|---|
| hs-CRP Men | 0.5 or lower mg/L | 3 or lower | 0.55 or lower |
| hs-CRP Women | 0.5 or lower mg/L | 3 or lower | 1 or lower |
CRP vs hs-CRP
C-reactive protein is made by the liver when there is inflammation in the body. Both tests measure it:
- Standard CRP shows how much inflammation is present. It is used for infections and inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune disease or inflammatory bowel disease, and to watch recovery.
- hs-CRP detects very small rises in the low range. It is used, along with cholesterol and other risk factors, to estimate heart disease risk in people who feel well.
Neither test shows where inflammation is coming from. See the hs-CRP lab guide for more on the marker.
hs-CRP levels and heart risk
| hs-CRP (mg/L) | Relative heart risk |
|---|---|
| Under 1.0 | Low |
| 1.0 to 3.0 | Average |
| Above 3.0 | High |
Current U.S. cholesterol guidelines also treat an hs-CRP of 2.0 mg/L or higher as a "risk-enhancing factor" when deciding on prevention. Gabriel's optimal target is under 0.5 mg/L, shown in the range card on this page.
Watch the units. hs-CRP is usually reported in mg/L, but some reports use mg/dL. 3 mg/L is the same as 0.3 mg/dL.
What raises hs-CRP
- Short-term: a cold or other infection, a recent injury or surgery.
- Long-term inflammation: autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, gum disease and lung conditions such as asthma.
- Lifestyle and health factors: smoking, obesity, diabetes, poor sleep and depression.
- Other: pregnancy and menopause hormone therapy. Women and older adults tend to run slightly higher.
- Medicines that can affect results: NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin. Tell your clinician what you take, but don't stop a prescription on your own.
For the bigger picture on inflammation, see what causes inflammation and inflammation blood tests.
Getting a reliable result
- Test when you are well. Wait until a cold, infection or injury has passed.
- Average two results. The CDC/AHA approach uses two tests about two weeks apart, fasting or not.
- Read it with your lipids. hs-CRP adds to ApoB, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar; it doesn't replace them.
- Recheck after a change. A falling level can mean inflammation is easing.
A much higher result usually points to infection, injury or another inflammatory condition rather than heart risk. See a clinician promptly if a high CRP comes with fever, chills, joint swelling, ongoing diarrhea, or chest pain or shortness of breath.
Common questions
What is a normal hs-CRP level?
For heart risk, under 1 mg/L is low, 1 to 3 mg/L is average and above 3 mg/L is high. Gabriel's optimal target is under 0.5 mg/L.
What is the difference between CRP and hs-CRP?
They measure the same protein. Standard CRP is used for infections and inflammatory diseases; hs-CRP picks up small rises and is used to estimate heart risk.
Do I need to fast for an hs-CRP test?
No. The CDC/AHA approach allows fasting or non-fasting samples. Fast only if another test drawn at the same time requires it.
Can a cold raise hs-CRP?
Yes. Infections raise CRP, so test when you are well and repeat a high result about two weeks later.
Is a high hs-CRP dangerous?
A level above 3 mg/L means higher relative heart risk, not an emergency. Your clinician reads it with your cholesterol and other risk factors to decide next steps.
Sources
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test Cleveland Clinic
- Assessing inflammatory status in cardiovascular disease (Tousoulis et al., 2007), summarizing the CDC/AHA statement Heart (BMJ)
- Impact of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Cutoff Selection on Cardiovascular Risk Classification (KNHANES, 2026) Metabolites
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.