hs-CRP
What it measures, and what changes the number.
hs-CRP stands for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is made by the liver and released into the blood as part of the body's response to inflammation, infection or tissue injury. The high-sensitivity test measures the same protein as a standard CRP test, but uses an assay designed to detect much smaller amounts with better precision at the low end of the scale.
It is often ordered alongside a lipid panel, including LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Apolipoprotein B and Lipoprotein(a), because low-grade inflammation is studied as one part of the broader heart and blood vessel picture. It may also be read next to a standard CRP or ESR (1h) when inflammation is being tracked.
Because CRP rises quickly with a cold, infection, injury or hard exercise, a recent illness can change the result, and some labs repeat the test on a separate occasion. Fasting is not usually required. Labs may print it as HS CRP or hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein).
Often read alongside: CRP, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Apolipoprotein B, Lipoprotein(a)