Home
	Products
	hs-CRP Test
	hs-CRP Articles
	hs-CRP FAQ
	Strategic Partners
	News & Events
	About us
	Contact us

Free Download
Acrobat Reader
 

CRP Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the difference between conventional CRP and hs-CRP tests?
   Our hs-CRP test allows CRP concentration in a range of 0.1172 - 30.0μg/ml to be detected, and the range of 0.1172 - 10.0μg/ml is of predicative meaning towards future risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the conventional CRP test measures CRP concentration in a range of 10 - 1,000μg/ml, and is only used to monitor the conditions of patients who have injury, bacterial or viral infection, or inflammation such as rheumatoid disease.
    

2. How do I go about the hs-CRP testing?
   There are two ways for obtaining the hs-CRP test. 
   a)  You can make an appointment to have the test completed in our office. 
   Our office address is HK Biotek, Block A, 18/F, Cheuk Nang Plaza, 250 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong  
   Tel (852) 2763 1488 
   Office hours  :  Mon. - Fri.                10am - 7pm
                            Sat.                           10am - 2pm
                            Sun. & Public Holidays Closed 
   b)  You can purchase the hs-CRP test kit from us and collect the blood sample at home.  Return the test back to us and we will send your sample directly to our USA Lab for analyzes.  You will receive the results within two weeks. 
    

3. Do I need a doctor's prescription to have the hs-CRP test done?
   Doctor's prescription is not required for this test. 
    

4. How can I ensure the blood collected in the strips will not be contaminated during transit?
   First of all, dry blood provides no medium for bacteria to attack.  Therefore, it is essential that you follow the instruction and allow the blood to dry for at least 45 minutes in room temperature.  In addition, our blood collection strips use a proprietary collection methodology that's proven to provide stable test results for the blood sample for at least 2 weeks.   Our comparison study between blood sample collected on the strips and those stored in serum showed no discrepancy in results.  So, the strips are as effective as blood collection serums.
    

5. What should I know before testing?
   First of all, CRP test is not advised for people on chronic steroid medication use. It is also suggested that one should abstain from Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Aspirin, Advil, Motrin and Naproxin) and statins for 4 weeks, as both NSAIDS and statins may reduce serum CRP levels. Consult your health care practitioner before making any changes to your current medication regime.
   As hs-CRP test is measuring the marker of inflammation, it is also important that any person having the test be apparently healthy and asymptomatic in order for the test to be of any value in predicting the risk of coronary disease or heart attack.  Any recent illness, tissue injury, infection, will raise the amount of CRP and give a falsely elevated estimate of risk.
    

6. Can my kids take this hs-CRP test?
   Yes, this hs-CRP test is suitable for adults and children over 3 years old.
    

7. Can I solely use the result of my CRP level to determine my risk of cardiovascular disease?
   CRP level can add to the predictive value of other risk markers such as cholesterol and blood pressure, but it should not be used as an independent marker of risk of cardiovascular disease.  Moreover, CRP level should be interpreted with complete clinical history.
    

8. What information will the CRP test report provide?
   Your CRP value will be indicated in the report and according to this value, you will be defined into one of the three risk groups:
   Low risk: value less than 1.0μg/ml
   Intermediate risk: value in between 1.0μg/ml -3.6μg/ml
   High risk: value higher than 3.6μg/ml
   The American Heart Association and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (AHA/CDC) reports that people in the high-risk group have about a two-fold increase in relative risk for cardiovascular disease compared to those in the low-risk group.
    

9. What action should I take after getting the result?
   If an intermediate or high CRP value is obtained, you may consider initiate preventive measures against heart attack such as increase exercise, a healthier diet and quitting smoke etc.  Consult your health care practitioner for any aggressive therapy if necessary.
   If a low value is measured, keep your healthy living to maintain your cardiac health. You may also consider screening for other risk makers when necessary in order to get a comprehensive understanding to your heart conditions.