Is Hs-CRP Value Of 1.66 A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Sun, 20 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Nov 2016 Answered on

Wed, 7 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I just had my semi annual check up and most of the results were good, with one glaring exception. My hsCRP went from .97 in May to 1.66 now. Other indicators, like ESR was a very low 3, and other inflammation markers were good. I am very careful about what I eat and take Turmeric daily along with other supplements that should affect inflammation. The last few months I have had MRI's on the knee and shoulder and it showed arthritis, but it is what one would expect in a person in his mid 60's. Could it be the arthritis? Then why just 6 months ago the crp result was an acceptable .97? Could it be cancer? My blood results suggest it isn't. My GP said to retake the test in a month. Is there anything I should do in the interim?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It's an ambiguous test

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

hsCRP is an ambiguous test. Its doubted by many clinicians clinical utility is only to estimate the risk of future cardiovascular events. Your latest result is supposed to classify you in the group of people with am average risk for heart attack or stroke. You've got to understand though that hsCRP utility is not fully documented and therefore it's not easy to interpret. The arthritis you've mentioned is probably osteoarthritis unless indicated otherwise.

So in conclusion, if the rest of your reports are normal and you don't haven't symptoms then you don't have anything to worry about.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar