What is an optimal hs-CRP level?
The short answer
An optimal hs-CRP level is 0–1 mg/L. Dr. Peter Attia puts the ceiling at 1. You can watch him say it below.
Most labs call hs-CRP high only above 3. So your report can call 2 normal while it sits above where he draws the line.
“I like to see c-reactive protein below 1, even though most labs consider anything below 2 reasonable.”
Where a number lands, and who said so
- 0–1 mg/L The range Dr. Peter Attia draws
- 1–3 mg/L Normal on most reports. Above optimal“I like seeing c-reactive protein below one, ideally below point five.” Dr. Peter Attia · 3:26 →
- over 3 mg/L Most labs flag this as high
What hs-CRP measures
A protein your liver releases during inflammation. The high-sensitivity test catches it at low levels.
That matters because low-grade inflammation tracks with cardiovascular risk, not just obvious infection.
Checked against MedlinePlus — C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test.
One of the doctors we cite, on why it matters
“if you look at people with very high C reactive protein and again it had to be darn high right above 10 milligrams per liter um their Hazard ratio for all cause mortality is 2.71 meaning they have 171% increase in the risk of all cause mortality”
Common questions
What is an optimal hs-CRP level?
0–1 mg/L, according to Dr. Peter Attia.
What is a normal hs-CRP level?
Most US labs print 0–3 mg/L. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What does your hs-CRP number mean?
Under 0 mg/L, your report marks it low. Between 0 and 3 it prints as normal. Over 3, your report marks it high. Where the people we follow draw their own line is above.
Is hs-CRP of 2 normal?
Your lab will call it normal. Dr. Peter Attia puts the ceiling at 1 mg/L, so by that number it is high.
What does the hs-CRP test measure?
A protein your liver releases during inflammation. The high-sensitivity test catches it at low levels. That matters because low-grade inflammation tracks with cardiovascular risk, not just obvious infection.
Where does this number come from?
Dr. Peter Attia, on video. The link above jumps straight to that minute.