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Key points
- Inflammatory markers are substances in the blood that rise when the body is fighting infection, injury, or chronic disease.
- The most common tests are C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ferritin, and fibrinogen.
- Elevated markers indicate inflammation is present but do not identify the cause; additional testing is usually needed.
- Hs-CRP is used to estimate cardiovascular risk in adults without known heart disease, while standard CRP and ESR help track infection and autoimmune conditions.
- Persistently high inflammatory markers can be a sign of chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease and should be discussed with a clinician.
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Inflammatory markers are blood test results that show whether the body is responding to an infection, injury, or chronic disease. The most commonly ordered tests are C-reactive protein (CRP), high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ferritin, and fibrinogen. Elevated values tell a clinician that inflammation is present, but they do not pinpoint the cause on their own.1,2
What are inflammatory markers?
Inflammation is the body's protective response to harm. When tissues are damaged or pathogens are detected, the liver and immune cells release proteins that circulate in the blood. Lab tests measure these proteins to gauge how active the inflammatory response is.1 Most markers are nonspecific, meaning a single elevated result does not identify which organ or process is involved.
Which inflammatory markers are most commonly tested?
C-reactive protein (CRP): A protein made by the liver that rises within hours of acute inflammation. Standard CRP is used to evaluate active infection, autoimmune flares, and post-surgical recovery.2
High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP): A more sensitive version of the same assay used to assess long-term cardiovascular risk in adults without known heart disease.3
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): Measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube. Higher rates suggest chronic inflammation. ESR rises and falls more slowly than CRP, so the two tests are often ordered together.4
Ferritin: Stores iron, but levels also rise sharply during inflammation, making it a useful acute-phase reactant in the right clinical context.5
Fibrinogen: A clotting protein that increases with inflammation and has been studied as a marker of cardiovascular risk.1
What are normal ranges and what do high results mean?
Reference ranges vary by lab and assay, but typical adult values are:
CRP: less than 10 mg/L. Values above this suggest active inflammation, with very high results (above 100 mg/L) often pointing to bacterial infection.2
Hs-CRP cardiovascular risk categories: less than 1 mg/L is low risk, 1 to 3 mg/L is average risk, and greater than 3 mg/L is high risk.3
ESR: roughly 0 to 22 mm/hr in men and 0 to 29 mm/hr in women, with higher upper limits in older adults.4
Ferritin: about 24 to 336 ng/mL in men and 11 to 307 ng/mL in women, though ranges differ by lab.5
A single elevated result is usually followed by a clinical evaluation, additional labs, or imaging to identify the underlying condition.
Why might a doctor order an inflammatory marker test?
Clinicians order these tests to help diagnose and monitor a range of conditions, including suspected infection, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis, and certain cancers.1,4 Hs-CRP is also used to refine cardiovascular risk estimates in select patients.3
Can inflammatory markers be tested at urgent care?
Many urgent care centers can draw blood and run basic inflammatory tests like CRP either onsite or through a partner lab. Urgent care is well suited for symptoms such as fever of unclear origin, suspected wound infection, or worsening joint pain. For ongoing monitoring of a chronic autoimmune or cardiovascular condition, primary care or a specialist is generally the better setting.
How do you lower elevated inflammatory markers?
The most effective way to lower an elevated marker is to treat the underlying cause. Modifiable contributors include smoking, excess body weight, poor sleep, and a low-quality diet. Regular physical activity, a Mediterranean-style diet, and cessation of tobacco have all been associated with reductions in CRP and other markers.3 Anyone with persistently high values should speak with their clinician before starting supplements or anti-inflammatory medications.
Next steps
If you have symptoms of infection, an autoimmune flare, or are due for a cardiovascular risk check, a same-day visit can help. Find a Solv urgent care or primary care location nearby, book a slot online, and see a clinician who can order the right labs and explain your results.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before an inflammatory marker blood test?
Most inflammatory marker tests, including CRP and ESR, do not require fasting. If your provider orders a lipid panel or glucose test at the same time, fasting may be needed; ask the lab when you book your draw.
How long does it take to get inflammatory marker results?
Standard turnaround is one to three days for most outpatient labs, though some urgent care and emergency settings can run a rapid CRP onsite in under an hour.
Can stress, exercise, or pregnancy raise inflammatory markers?
Yes. Vigorous exercise within 24 hours, acute psychological stress, pregnancy, and recent vaccinations can all temporarily raise CRP and ESR. Your clinician will factor these in when interpreting results.
Are inflammatory markers covered by insurance?
CRP, ESR, and ferritin are routinely covered when ordered for a medical reason. Coverage for hs-CRP as a screening test for cardiovascular risk varies by plan; check with your insurer or ask the clinic for the cash price if you are uninsured.
What is the difference between CRP and hs-CRP?
The same protein is being measured, but hs-CRP uses a more sensitive assay that can detect very low concentrations. Standard CRP is best for tracking active infection or autoimmune flares; hs-CRP is used for long-term cardiovascular risk assessment.
Should I retest after a high result?
Often, yes. A single elevated marker may reflect a recent illness, injury, or vaccine. Most clinicians recommend a repeat test in two to four weeks once you are symptom-free to confirm whether inflammation is truly persistent.
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How we reviewed this article
Medically reviewed
View this article's sources and history, and read more about Solv's Content Mission Statement, editorial process, and editorial team.
6 sources
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
- National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Inflammation.
- National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. C-reactive protein test. (CRP)
- American Heart Association. Inflammation and heart disease.
- Mayo Clinic. Sed rate . (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
- Mayo Clinic. Ferritin test.
- Cleveland Clinic. C-reactive protein test. (CRP)
Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.
August 19 2024
Written by Solv Editorial Team
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD
April 30 2026
Edited by Solv Editorial Team
May 06 2026
Edited by Solv Editorial Team
May 23 2026
Edited by Solv Editorial Team
June 03 2026
Edited by Solv Editorial Team
