Inflammation Assessment
Assessment Stage: Baseline Assessment (hsCRP) / Advanced Assessment (ESR where clinically indicated)
Included in Future Health Assessment: Yes
Partner: DHM Pathology
Provider: DHM Pathology
Approximate Cost: Included (hsCRP); ESR Medicare where clinically indicated
What is it?
Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury, infection and tissue repair. While short-term inflammation is essential for healing, persistent low-grade inflammation has been linked to many chronic diseases associated with ageing.
Future Health assesses inflammation using High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) as the primary screening marker, with ESR added when clinically indicated.
What does it measure?
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)
Measures low-grade systemic inflammation associated with:
Cardiovascular disease
Metabolic disease
Obesity
Chronic inflammatory states
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Measures more general inflammation and may assist in investigating:
Autoimmune disease
Chronic inflammatory disorders
Selected infections
Why is it important?
Persistent inflammation has been associated with increased risk of:
Heart disease
Stroke
Type 2 diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
Dementia
Some cancers
Frailty
Inflammation often reflects modifiable lifestyle factors including excess visceral fat, physical inactivity, poor sleep, smoking and diet.
Who may benefit?
Recommended for all adults as part of cardiovascular risk assessment.
ESR is reserved for patients with symptoms suggestive of inflammatory or autoimmune disease.
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
Strong cardiovascular evidence
Useful monitoring marker
May detect previously unrecognised inflammation
Limitations
Inflammatory markers are non-specific and cannot identify the exact cause of inflammation.
How Future Health uses this investigation
Results are interpreted alongside:
Body Composition
Lipid Assessment
Glucose & Insulin Assessment
Nutrition Assessment
Sleep Assessment
Physical Activity
To identify potentially modifiable drivers of chronic inflammation.
Related Future Health Domains
Cardiometabolic Health
Brain Health
Healthy Ageing
Liver Health
Related Investigations
Comprehensive Lipid Assessment
InBody
Nutrition Assessment
Somfit Sleep Assessment
Future Health Summary
Chronic low-grade inflammation contributes to many age-related diseases. Identifying and addressing the underlying causes provides an important opportunity to improve long-term health.