High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
Inflammation markersA systemic inflammation marker that links oral health to overall health.
This is information about your result, not a diagnosis. Your provider can tell you what it means for you.
What is High-sensitivity C-reactive protein?
hs-CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation anywhere in the body. It is measured via a high-sensitivity blood test and is a widely used biomarker for systemic inflammatory status.
Why it matters
A high hs-CRP is associated with gum disease and with inflammation elsewhere in the body. It is one of the markers doctors look at when thinking about heart health, which is why it appears on a dental panel.
What a high result can mean
A high hs-CRP can be associated with inflammation in the mouth adding to inflammation in the body. It is not specific to the mouth; many other things can raise it.
What usually happens next
It is worth sharing this result with both your dentist and your doctor. Treating gum disease is often followed by a lower hs-CRP, but many other things affect it.
Related markers
This page explains what the test measures. It is not a diagnosis, and it cannot tell you what your result means for you. Your provider can.