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When you experience physical trauma like a wound, injury, or infection, your body attempts to heal through the inflammatory process. The red, swollen, tender skin you’ll notice around an abrasion is inflammation in action.
The liver produces C-reactive protein, or CRP, in response to inflammation in the body. It’s a protein that activates the complement system, which boosts the action of antibodies to clear pathogens from the body.
Acute inflammation is an essential part of the healing process, but if inflammation persists and becomes chronic, it can damage healthy tissues and cause problems throughout the body. Chronic inflammation is harmful and can contribute to heart disease, cancer, and other serious health conditions.
A CRP test measures CRP levels and shows if there’s inflammation in the body. Anyone can take a test, but it’s especially important for people at risk of heart disease, including those with high blood pressure or cholesterol. If you have a family history of heart disease, you should also consider taking a CRP test.
At-home CRP testing is a convenient alternative to visiting your doctor for an assessment. At-home testing is also often cheaper and it also guarantees your privacy.
In this roundup, we look at some of the best options for at-home CRP testing and if they may be right for you.
An at-home CRP test is a convenient way to measure your CRP levels without visiting the doctor. The tests use a small sample of blood, usually from a finger prick, that you collect on a piece of card and mail to the lab.
Using an at-home CRP test is a good way to check for inflammation, especially if you’re at risk for heart disease. These tests are typically quick, easy, and relatively painless, and it can give you peace of mind or help you catch a problem early.
However, the tests are not designed to replace qualified medical attention. These tests are nonspecific, and many factors can raise CRP, from stress and minor infections to rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
Therefore, if you’re experiencing any symptoms or are concerned about your health, or have a family history of heart disease, you should visit your doctor. They can help you make the best decisions for your health and perform a comprehensive health assessment.
We selected the best CRP test kits by considering the following factors:
We made our final decisions by looking at online reviews of real users’ experiences to ensure that the tests made the mark.
Price: $$$
LetsGetChecked is our best overall choice because of its great reviews, reputation, reasonable price point, and fast results.
The process is straightforward. You’ll need to order your CRP test kit online and then register it once it arrives. Next, collect a finger-prick blood sample and return it to the lab for analysis. You should receive your results on the secure online dashboard in 2 to 5 days.
Regardless of your results, there’s a dedicated team of nurses available around the clock to talk to and discuss the next steps.
Price: $$$
While not a CRP test, this at-home kit measures inflammation/CRP and vitamin D levels. According to the company, there’s a link between low vitamin D levels and elevated CRP.
After ordering your kit, you’ll register it using the unique ID number included in the box. Then, simply collect a finger prick sample and return it in the prepaid envelope. You’ll receive your physician-reviewed results on the secure platform within a few days.
Everlywell also works with laboratories that hold a CLIA certification, so you’ll know your results are reliable and your sample is handled carefully.
Price: $
Priced at a more affordable cost than others on our list, Labcorp OnDemand’s CRP test is a solid purchase that combines both at-home results and in-person testing.
After shopping for your test and paying for it online, an independent physician will review and approve your test request. You’ll then receive an email with a requisition number. After that, you’ll take a photo ID and the requisition number to the nearest Labcorp location for sample collection. You can make an appointment or simply walk in.
The easy-to-read, color-coded results will be available in your online account. However, the company does not disclose how long it takes to receive them.
Price: $$$
Some people may feel that at-home testing doesn’t provide the same qualified medical support as in-person testing. However, myLAB provides a free consultation with a doctor to discuss your test results and offers great follow-up support should you need it.
The myLAB At Home Inflammation Test is a high sensitivity CRP and vitamin D test combined. You’ll need to provide a finger-prick blood sample for analysis, return it, and receive your results online within 1 to 5 days.
MyLAB also uses high-quality CLIA-certified labs and is registered with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Price: $$
With the HealthLabs High Sensitivity CRP test, you’ll pay for and order the test online. Once you receive the confirmation by email, you’ll need to visit one of their 4,500 locations for the blood test. There’s no need for an appointment, and testing is quick and easy.
HealthLabs also offer a standard CRP test for $49, which is a good choice for general inflammation. However, the high-sensitivity test measures trace amounts of CRP in the blood and is the analysis of choice for cardiovascular risk assessments.
If you prefer more comprehensive testing, you can also check CRP levels as part of the Heart Health Panel or the Comprehensive Female or Male Wellness Panel. These options include multiple blood, hormone, and biochemical tests.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing at-home testing kits. The best one for you can depend on various factors, including:
Thinking about these factors, considering customer reviews, and reading about the companies on their websites should help you choose a home CRP testing kit to suit your needs.
Acute inflammation is an essential part of the body’s natural healing process. However, it can cause problems throughout the body when it becomes chronic, and your doctor may recommend treatment. Options may include some of the following.
NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), are over-the-counter medications that may help reduce inflammation. But, it’s best not to rely on them as experts have linked long-term use to an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease and kidney problems.
Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, a type of steroid hormone that suppresses the immune system and eases inflammation. Although long-term use isn’t recommended since it can contribute to high blood pressure and osteoporosis, it may be beneficial in the short term.
Fish oil, lipoic acid, and curcumin are dietary supplements that may decrease inflammation. However, more studies are needed to confirm these effects.
Your doctor may recommend losing weight, increasing physical activity, and making dietary changes to help lower inflammation.
If a test shows elevated CRP levels, your first step should be to talk to a doctor. They may recommend further lab testing to rule out medical causes and discover the underlying reasons for the test results.
Your doctor can advise you on lifestyle changes to lower inflammation in your body. They can also prescribe medications for infections or diagnose conditions like rheumatoid arthritis that could be contributing to the inflammation.
There are a few things you can do at home to help lower your CRP levels:
Yes, studies show that chronic and perceived stress can significantly impact CRP levels. Stress levels should be considered when trying to determine the cause of an elevated CRP reading.
Stress can also lead to sleeping problems like insomnia or waking up during the night, which in turn increase CRP levels.
Doctors classify a normal CRP level as less than 0.3 milligrams/Liter (mg/L). Here’s what it may mean if the level is higher:
CRP levels indicate the levels of inflammation in your body. When raised, this can indicate an infection or inflammatory condition. It can also highlight your risk of cardiovascular disease.
At-home CRP testing kits are useful for providing information about your inflammation levels. The tests aren’t designed to replace an appointment with the doctor, but they may help inform your health decisions and allow you to take proactive steps to lower your CRP levels.
Zia Sherrell is a health copywriter and digital health journalist with over a decade of experience covering diverse topics from public health to medical cannabis, nutrition, and biomedical science. Her mission is to empower and educate people by bringing health matters to life with engaging, evidence-based writing.
Last medically reviewed on June 21, 2022
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