Inflammation . Patient guide
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
CRP is a protein made by the liver that rises within hours of an inflammatory stimulus. It is the most widely used general marker of acute or chronic inflammation in UK clinical practice.
This biomarker entry is being clinically reviewed by our team. The factual content draws on UK guidance (NICE, NHS, Royal Colleges and the relevant speciality society where cited).
Reference range
Reported in mg/L. Final reports always carry the issuing laboratory's range, which is what your clinician will interpret against.
| Group | Range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Typical adult range | under 5 | mg/L; varies between labs |
| Mildly raised | 5 to 10 | |
| Moderately raised | 10 to 100 | |
| Significantly raised | over 100 |
What it is
In response to certain cytokines (IL-6 in particular), the liver synthesises CRP. Levels rise within 6 to 12 hours of an inflammatory trigger, peak around 48 hours, and fall as the trigger resolves. CRP is non-specific: it tells you that inflammation is present but not where or why.
Why a clinician would order it
In unexplained fatigue, joint or muscle aches, post-viral recovery monitoring, work-up of autoimmune disease, as part of a pre-treatment baseline, and in pre-operative bloodwork (especially before a hair transplant). A high-sensitivity CRP is also used to estimate longer-term cardiovascular risk.
If your level is outside the range
Symptoms of low CRP
- No symptoms attributable to a low CRP
What low can indicate. Normal background inflammation. A low CRP does not exclude all chronic inflammatory conditions.
Symptoms of high CRP
- Symptoms relate to the underlying cause, e.g. fever, joint pain, fatigue, breathlessness
What high can indicate. Acute infection, chronic inflammation (autoimmune disease), recent surgery or trauma, malignancy, post-viral inflammation. CRP cannot identify the cause on its own; clinical context matters.
Testing tips
No fasting required. CRP can be transiently elevated by recent vigorous exercise or any minor illness, so consider repeating after 4 to 6 weeks if a mildly raised value is unexplained.
Where you can get this tested
C-Reactive Protein is included in the following WMG Health panels. Same-day appointments at our Harley Street clinic, with results clinician-reviewed.
Want a specific combination of markers we do not have a panel for? Build a custom panel and our clinicians will design one for you.
Related markers
Sources
UK guidance our clinicians use when interpreting this marker.
This page is general patient information, not personal medical advice. A GMC-registered clinician will review your results and tailor any interpretation to you. See our Editorial Policy for how we write and review content.