Quick answer
The hs CRP test (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a cheap blood test that picks up small amounts of inflammation, the kind linked to heart attack and stroke risk rather than to an infection. The CDC and American Heart Association bands are: under 1.0 mg/L low risk, 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L average risk, above 3.0 mg/L high risk. A single high result should be repeated before you read much into it.
You can order it on its own from a walk-in lab (Labcorp OnDemand listed it at $69 on September 29, 2026) or get it at home as part of a wider panel. SiPhox Health includes hs-CRP in every EasyDraw panel except Hormone Focus, so it comes with ApoB, lipids and HbA1c from one needle-free draw on the upper arm.
What an hs-CRP test measures
C-reactive protein is made by the liver when there is inflammation anywhere in the body. The standard CRP test is built to catch large rises, such as an infection or a flare of an inflammatory disease. The high-sensitivity version measures the same protein but reads accurately at very low levels, which is the range that matters for cardiovascular risk. MedlinePlus puts it simply: both measure CRP, but they are used for different conditions, and hs-CRP is used to estimate heart disease risk.
hs-CRP vs CRP
| hs-CRP | Standard CRP | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Cardiovascular risk in people who are well | Infection, injury, inflammatory disease |
| Range that matters | 0.1 to 10 mg/L | Roughly 10 mg/L and up |
| Usual unit | mg/L | mg/L or mg/dL (1 mg/dL = 10 mg/L) |
| Fasting | Not required | Not required |
Watch the units. Some reports give CRP in mg/dL, so a "0.3" on one report can be the same as a "3" on another. The risk bands below are all in mg/L. Our hs-CRP biomarker guide covers the causes of a high reading in more depth.
hs-CRP results: the risk bands
CDC/AHA 2003 statement (Pearson et al.), the bands Labcorp prints on test 120766. Above 10 mg/L the result usually reflects acute inflammation and is not used for heart risk.
| hs-CRP (mg/L) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under 1.0 | Low cardiovascular risk category |
| 1.0 to 3.0 | Average risk; the Labcorp report notes the average adult level is about 1 |
| Above 3.0 | High risk category, if the result is confirmed on a repeat test |
| 2.0 or more | Counts as a "risk-enhancing factor" in the 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guideline when deciding on a statin |
| Above 10 | Usually a sign of acute inflammation such as an infection; not usable for heart risk until it settles |
Reference ranges vary a little by lab and assay, so compare against the range printed on your own report. hs-CRP is one input among many: it adds information to LDL cholesterol, ApoB, blood pressure and smoking status rather than replacing them. A result that matters for a treatment decision is one to go through with your doctor.
The retest rule for results above 3 mg/L
CRP swings with everyday events: a cold, a hard workout, a dental problem or an injury can push it up for days. That is why the CDC/AHA statement advises using the average of two measurements taken about two weeks apart, when you are free of any acute illness. In practice:
- First result above 3 mg/L: retest in about two weeks while you feel well, then average the two numbers before you place yourself in a band.
- Result above 10 mg/L: repeat it and look for a source of infection or inflammation. Do not use it for heart risk.
- Result under 3 mg/L: a single test is usually enough for a risk estimate.
If you test at home, the shortest SiPhox cadence is monthly, so a SiPhox retest comes roughly four weeks later rather than two. That is still a clean second reading as long as you were well on both days.
Say James, 52, gets an hs-CRP of 4.2 mg/L on a home panel collected a week after a cold. That is in the high band, but a single reading taken close to an illness is exactly the case the CDC/AHA retest rule is for. He tests again about four weeks later while well and gets 2.4 mg/L. The average, (4.2 + 2.4) / 2 = 3.3 mg/L, still sits just above the 3.0 line and above the 2.0 mg/L risk-enhancing mark in the AHA/ACC guideline, so it goes to his doctor with his LDL, ApoB and blood pressure. Had the second reading been 1.6 mg/L, the average of 2.9 mg/L would put him in the average band instead.
The cost of those two readings: 2 x $69 = $138 at Labcorp OnDemand list price ($103.50 at the sale price), or $124 + $149 = $273 for two SiPhox Longevity Essentials kits, which repeat ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c and 27 more markers with no lab visit.
hs-CRP test cost
| Option | Price seen 29 Sep 2026 | What you get | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labcorp OnDemand hs-CRP | $69 list (on sale at $51.75) | hs-CRP only, results about 1 day after the lab gets it | Venous draw at a Labcorp site |
| SiPhox Longevity Essentials | $124 + $25 shipping ($99 first test advertised) | hs-CRP plus 30 more markers | At home, upper-arm EasyDraw |
| SiPhox Heart & Metabolic | $124 + $25 shipping | hs-CRP, lipids, Lp(a), ApoB, kidney and liver | At home, upper-arm EasyDraw |
| Through your doctor | Depends on insurance | Often only if you ask for it | Venous draw |
If hs-CRP is the only number you want, a single walk-in lab test is the cheapest route. A home panel costs more but replaces several separate lab orders and saves the trip. Our at-home blood test cost guide compares the wider market, and SiPhox kits can be paid for with an HSA or FSA card (how that works).
Prices seen 29 Sep 2026. SiPhox prices include $25 US shipping. Our arithmetic: on Longevity Essentials each of the 31 results works out at about $4.81.
The single test wins on price only while hs-CRP is the only number you want. Add one more heart marker and the gap closes: hs-CRP at $69 from Labcorp OnDemand plus Lp(a) at $45 and a $6 fee from Quest already comes to $120, before ApoB or HbA1c, against $124 for a first SiPhox Longevity Essentials kit that includes all four (our Lp(a) test guide has the Quest price).
Which SiPhox panels include hs-CRP
| SiPhox panel | hs-CRP | Per test with shipping | Useful companions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity Essentials (31 markers) | Yes | $149 | ApoB, Lp(a), HbA1c, ferritin, vitamin D |
| Heart & Metabolic (28) | Yes | $149 | ApoB, Lp(a), kidney and liver markers |
| Thyroid Focus (21) | Yes | $149 | Full thyroid panel, ferritin |
| GLP Optimization (46) | Yes | $224 | Metabolic, liver, iron and B vitamins |
| Ultimate 360 (62) | Yes | $274 | Everything above in one kit |
| Hormone Focus (14) | No | $149 | Sex hormones only |
Pairing hs-CRP with ferritin is useful: ferritin rises with inflammation, so a high ferritin next to a high hs-CRP reads differently from a high ferritin on its own (see our iron test guide). SiPhox also runs a waitlist for a future at-home hs-CRP device; it is not on sale, so today the route is the mail-in EasyDraw kit. The samples are capillary blood from the upper arm, which we cover in are at-home blood tests accurate.
Longevity Essentials
The default panel: heart, metabolic, hormone and inflammation markers in one draw.
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Heart & Metabolic
Lipids plus kidney and liver function: the panel for cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
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Ultimate 360
Everything on the four core panels plus iron studies, B12 and folate, GGT and PSA.
Check pricehs-CRP next to your other heart markers
hs-CRP is most useful as one of several "risk-enhancing factors" in the 2018 AHA/ACC cholesterol guideline. These are the findings a doctor weighs when your 10-year risk estimate is borderline or intermediate and the statin decision could go either way. Several of them come from the same blood sample:
| Risk-enhancing factor (2018 AHA/ACC) | Threshold | On SiPhox Longevity Essentials? |
|---|---|---|
| hs-CRP | 2.0 mg/L or more | Yes |
| Lipoprotein(a) | 50 mg/dL (125 nmol/L) or more | Yes |
| ApoB | 130 mg/dL or more | Yes |
| Triglycerides, persistently raised | 175 mg/dL or more | Yes |
| Family history of early heart disease | Men under 55, women under 65 | No, your own history |
That is the practical case for measuring hs-CRP in a panel rather than on its own: one reading above 2.0 mg/L means little by itself, but next to an Lp(a) of 150 nmol/L or an ApoB of 135 mg/dL it adds to a pattern your doctor can act on. It also explains why the retest rule matters. A cold that pushes one reading from 1.5 to 4 mg/L could add a risk factor that is not really there. Our heart disease risk blood test guide covers the full set.
Which hs-CRP route to choose
| If you want | Best route | Price seen 29 Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| One hs-CRP number and you live near a lab | Labcorp OnDemand hs-CRP | $69 ($51.75 on sale) |
| hs-CRP with ApoB, Lp(a) and HbA1c, no needle | SiPhox Longevity Essentials | $149 ($124 first test) |
| hs-CRP with kidney and liver function | SiPhox Heart & Metabolic | $149 |
| hs-CRP with a full thyroid workup | SiPhox Thyroid Focus | $149 |
| hs-CRP while on GLP-1 medication | SiPhox GLP Optimization | $224 |
| Everything in one draw once a year | SiPhox Ultimate 360 | $274 |
| A result above 10 mg/L, or symptoms of infection | Your doctor | Depends on insurance |
For the retest itself, keep the conditions the same: no recent illness, injury or very hard workout, and ideally the same lab. SiPhox lets you switch panels between tests, so a common pattern is Longevity Essentials for the first reading and the retest, then Heart & Metabolic or Thyroid Focus on later cycles, all of which still report hs-CRP. Our SiPhox cost guide prices each cadence.
Who should get an hs-CRP test
- Adults whose 10-year heart risk is borderline or intermediate, where the 2018 AHA/ACC guideline uses hs-CRP of 2.0 mg/L or more as one factor that can tip a statin decision.
- People with a family history of early heart disease who want a fuller picture than a standard lipid panel. Add Lp(a) and ApoB for the same reason.
- Anyone tracking lifestyle changes such as weight loss, quitting smoking or more exercise, where a falling hs-CRP is one sign of progress.
It is not a test for a specific disease, and a high number on its own does not tell you where the inflammation comes from. Bring a confirmed result above 3 mg/L to your doctor along with the rest of your panel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an hs-CRP test cost?
On its own, about $50 to $70 at a walk-in lab: Labcorp OnDemand listed it at $69 (on sale for $51.75) on September 29, 2026. SiPhox includes it in its $124 home panels, which add $25 shipping and 20 or more other markers.
Can you do an hs-CRP test at home?
Yes. SiPhox Health measures hs-CRP from blood collected with a needle-free device on the upper arm, mailed back cold to a CLIA-certified lab. It is on the Longevity Essentials, Heart & Metabolic, Thyroid Focus, GLP Optimization and Ultimate 360 panels.
What is the difference between hs-CRP and CRP?
Both measure C-reactive protein. The standard CRP test is for large rises from infection or inflammatory disease. hs-CRP reads accurately at very low levels (under 10 mg/L) and is used to estimate cardiovascular risk.
What is a normal hs-CRP level?
Under 1.0 mg/L is the low-risk band, 1.0 to 3.0 mg/L is average and above 3.0 mg/L is high, per the CDC/AHA statement. The average adult level is about 1 mg/L.
Do you need to fast for an hs-CRP test?
No. The CDC/AHA statement allows fasting or non-fasting samples. Avoid testing while you have a cold or other illness, or just after an injury or very hard exercise.
Should I retest a high hs-CRP?
Yes. Because CRP moves with minor illness, the CDC/AHA advice is to average two results taken about two weeks apart when you are well. Above 10 mg/L, repeat the test and look for an infection or other source.
Sources
- Pearson TA et al. Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: CDC and AHA statement. Circulation 2003
- 2018 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. Circulation 2019
- Labcorp test 120766: C-reactive protein, high sensitivity (risk categories)
- MedlinePlus: C-reactive protein (CRP) test
- Labcorp OnDemand: Inflammation (hs-CRP) test price
- SiPhox Health panel comparison (checked 29 Sep 2026)
- SiPhox Health: Longevity Essentials EasyDraw panel and price
- SiPhox Health: Heart & Metabolic EasyDraw panel
- SiPhox Health FAQ
- SiPhox Health: at-home inflammation test waitlist