hsCRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)
Assessment Stage: Baseline Assessment
Included in Future Health Assessment: Yes
Partner: DHM Pathology
Provider: DHM Pathology
Approximate Cost: Included in Future Health Assessment
What is it?
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a blood marker of low-grade systemic inflammation.
Unlike standard CRP, hsCRP is designed to detect subtle inflammation associated with chronic disease risk rather than acute infection.
What does it measure?
Low-grade systemic inflammation
Chronic inflammatory burden
Why is it important?
Persistent low-grade inflammation has been associated with increased risk of:
Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Obesity
Chronic kidney disease
Some cancers
Inflammation may also reflect lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, obesity, smoking, inactivity and poor diet.
Who may benefit?
Recommended for all adults undergoing comprehensive preventive assessment.
What happens during the test?
A routine blood sample is collected.
Preparation
No fasting is required.
Testing should ideally be postponed during acute illness or infection.
Advantages
Simple blood test
Well validated
Adds to cardiovascular risk assessment
Useful for monitoring lifestyle interventions
Limitations
hsCRP is non-specific and cannot identify the cause of inflammation.
How Future Health uses this investigation
Results are interpreted alongside:
ApoB
Lipoprotein(a)
Body composition
Sleep
Physical activity
Nutrition
to identify potentially modifiable contributors to chronic inflammation.
Future Health Summary
Low-grade inflammation contributes to many chronic diseases. Measuring hsCRP provides another window into long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health.