hsCRP
This test measures hidden inflammation in your body — the kind you can’t feel but that quietly drives heart disease, diabetes, and aging. Most urban Indians test above optimal.
hsCRP is the most useful marker of chronic, low-grade inflammation — the “inflammaging” that accelerates every major disease of aging. Unlike regular CRP, it can detect the subtle elevation that matters for your long-term health.
What is the hsCRP test?
CRP (C-reactive protein) is made by your liver whenever there’s inflammation somewhere in your body. Regular CRP tests only pick up levels above 3–5 mg/L — useful for detecting infections, useless for catching the chronic, low-grade inflammation that drives aging.
hsCRP (high-sensitivity CRP) uses a more precise method that detects levels down to 0.1 mg/L. This is the test you want. Always specify "hsCRP" when ordering.
What your number means
| hsCRP Level | Category | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| <0.5 mg/L | Optimal | You’re in great shape. Maintain your current habits. |
| 0.5–1.0 mg/L | Low-normal | Minor tweaks: omega-3, sleep, dietary refinement. |
| 1.0–3.0 mg/L | Moderate — investigate | Likely visceral fat, poor sleep, or diet-driven. Start omega-3 and curcumin. |
| 3.0–10 mg/L | Elevated | Comprehensive lifestyle overhaul. Physician evaluation. |
| >10 mg/L | Acute | Likely acute illness. Retest after 2–3 weeks. |
How to improve it
Omega-3 (2–4g/day EPA+DHA) has the strongest evidence — 20–40% hsCRP reduction across multiple trials. Curcumin BCM-95 (500–1000mg/day) adds another 15–30%. Pair with sleep optimisation and visceral fat reduction.
Test when you’re not sick — a cold or infection will spike hsCRP to 50–200 mg/L and give you a meaningless reading.
What raises it in India: Visceral fat (the #1 driver), poor sleep (<7 hours), refined carbohydrates, seed oils, stress, air pollution (PM2.5 in metro cities), and alcohol.
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eterni connects your labs over time — so you can see if your interventions are actually bringing inflammation down.
Get early accessFrequently Asked Questions
What is a good hsCRP level?
Below 0.5 mg/L is the longevity optimal. Clinical "low risk" is below 1.0 mg/L. Most urban Indians test between 1.0–3.0 mg/L, driven by visceral fat, poor sleep, and diet.
What’s the difference between CRP and hsCRP?
Standard CRP only detects levels above 3–5 mg/L — fine for acute infections, blind to chronic inflammation. hsCRP detects down to 0.1 mg/L, capturing the subtle inflammation relevant to heart disease and aging. Always request hsCRP.
Does omega-3 lower CRP?
Yes — consistently shown across multiple trials. 2–4g/day EPA+DHA reduces hsCRP by 20–40%. Use triglyceride-form omega-3 for better absorption.
How often should I retest hsCRP?
Every 6–12 months if you're actively working on lowering it. Always wait at least 2–3 weeks after any illness, infection, or injury — these can spike hsCRP temporarily and give a misleading reading.
How hsCRP is measured
hsCRP uses a high-sensitivity immunoassay (immunoturbidimetric or immunonephelometric) that can reliably measure CRP levels down to 0.1 mg/L. The test costs ₹300–800 at Indian labs. No fasting required, but avoid testing during acute illness.
Clinical vs longevity optimal
The American Heart Association uses <1.0 mg/L as "low risk." Longevity medicine sets the bar at <0.5 mg/L — levels associated with minimal inflammaging. The concept of "inflammaging" — chronic low-grade inflammation as a driver of aging — is one of the most important frameworks in longevity medicine.
India-specific drivers
Air pollution (PM2.5) in Indian metro cities directly activates inflammatory pathways — a major underappreciated driver of hsCRP in India. Visceral fat, common even in lean Indians (the "thin on the outside, fat on the inside" phenotype), is another major contributor. The combination of pollution, high-glycaemic diets, and chronic stress makes elevated hsCRP especially prevalent in urban India.
Connected supplements
Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) has the strongest evidence. Curcumin (BCM-95 or phospholipid complex) adds benefit. Vitamin D correction matters if you’re deficient. Berberine addresses the metabolic drivers indirectly.
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eterni connects your lab results, supplements, and retests — so you can see the trajectory, not just a snapshot.
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