Is hsCRP useful for stress?

hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a well-established marker of systemic inflammation, not a direct measure of stress. Chronic psychological stress can promote low-grade inflammation via neuroendocrine pathways (e.g., cortisol, catecholamines), which may be reflected in modestly elevated hsCRP levels (1–3 mg/L). However, hsCRP is non-specific: elevations also occur due to infection, obesity, smoking, or autoimmune conditions. Therefore, using hsCRP alone to diagnose or monitor stress in an individual is not scientifically valid. In research, hsCRP is sometimes used as a downstream biomarker of chronic stress in large cohort studies, but effect sizes are small and confounders are numerous. For individual stress assessment, validated tools like questionnaires, diurnal cortisol profiles, or heart rate variability are more appropriate. Consumer tests offering hsCRP (e.g., MyBody-X) should be presented as a complementary piece, not a standalone stress test. Caveat: elevated hsCRP warrants medical evaluation, especially for cardiovascular risk. Evidence grade: human-moderate (association, not causation or diagnostic utility).