C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by your liver in response to inflammation. Doctors measure it with a simple blood test to assess health risks.
When inflammation occurs - whether from infection, injury, or chronic conditions - your liver releases CRP into your bloodstream. This protein then binds to phosphocholine on the surface of dead or dying cells and cells of bacteria, helping your immune system recognize and clear these threats.
| Test Type | Measures | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard CRP | Acute inflammation | <10 mg/L (normal) |
| High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) | Low-grade chronic inflammation | <1 mg/L (low risk) |
Elevated CRP often indicates:
Research shows that even slightly elevated hs-CRP levels correlate with increased cardiovascular risk. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people with hs-CRP levels between 1-3 mg/L had double the risk of heart attack compared to those below 1 mg/L.
Many people confuse CRP with other blood proteins. Unlike protein-sparing modified fasting, which affects muscle maintenance during starvation, CRP specifically tracks inflammation. It's also different from albumin or globulin proteins that transport substances in your blood.
Another mistake is assuming all elevated CRP means infection. While it often indicates bacterial infection, it can also rise due to:
I once worked with a patient whose standard cholesterol tests showed normal results, but their hs-CRP was elevated at 2.8 mg/L. Their doctor recommended lifestyle changes and low-dose aspirin therapy based on this inflammation marker alone. Two years later, their CRP dropped to 0.7 mg/L, and they've remained heart attack-free.