What to watch with hsCRP and Wechseljahre?

When monitoring hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) during menopause (Wechseljahre), the focus is on inflammation driven by estrogen decline. Elevated hsCRP (>2–3 mg/L) is a moderate risk marker for cardiovascular disease, which increases postmenopause. However, hsCRP is non-specific – it rises with infections, smoking, obesity, or stress. Evidence for a direct causal link between menopause and hsCRP is moderate: studies show a slight increase, but individual variability is high. Genetic variants like MTHFR C677T or A1298C affect homocysteine, not hsCRP directly, though homocysteine can also promote inflammation. Importantly, a home DNA test cannot provide personalized cutoffs or therapies. A clinical workup including hsCRP, homocysteine, lipids, and lifestyle factors (exercise, diet, smoking cessation) is recommended. Be cautious of overblown claims from direct-to-consumer genetic tests – the clinical impact is often small.