What is a CRP test? Price in 2026, without a referral and pharmacy test

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

A CRP test measures C-reactive protein in the blood, which rises with inflammation and infection. Privately, without a referral, CRP most often costs PLN 21, typically PLN 20 ‑ 24, with laboratory price lists ranging from PLN 18 to PLN 27. With a referral from a doctor, the test is free under the NFZ.

CRP is one of the cheapest blood tests and also one of those most frequently requested by doctors for a fever, prolonged infection or unexplained weakness. Below, we explain what it actually measures, how much it costs at laboratories without a referral and which tests are worth combining with it to avoid paying twice for a blood draw.

What is a CRP test?

A CRP test measures the concentration of C-reactive protein in the blood, a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation, infection or tissue damage. CRP is low in a healthy person, but can increase many times over within several hours during acute inflammation. Doctors therefore treat it as a quick indicator that something is happening in the body.

CRP does not show where the inflammation is or what caused it. An elevated result may accompany pneumonia, a urinary tract infection or inflammatory bowel disease, but also a recent injury or procedure. The result must always be assessed alongside symptoms and other tests, so discuss it with your doctor.

How much does a private CRP test cost?

A private CRP test most often costs PLN 21, while half of the collected price lists fall within the range of PLN 20 ‑ 24. The cheapest test we found costs PLN 18, and the most expensive costs PLN 27. The differences mainly depend on the laboratory chain and the specific collection point, as even the same chain may charge different prices in different cities.

The price includes the blood draw, protein measurement and result. It does not include a medical consultation to discuss the result or any other tests if ordered separately. Here is a comparison of CRP with tests that doctors often order alongside it:

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

The value of this table, which you will not find in a single laboratory price list, lies in the median from several facilities and the typical price range. This makes it easier to assess whether the price at your collection point is standard or inflated.

How much does a CRP test cost without a referral?

A CRP test without a referral costs the same as any private test, usually PLN 20 ‑ 24. Laboratories do not require a referral from self-paying patients: simply select the test at the collection point or buy it online and arrive with the code. With a referral from a GP or specialist under the NFZ, a CRP test is free.

A private test makes sense when you want the result quickly, for example before a doctor’s appointment, so you can discuss it during the consultation. If your doctor is going to order the tests under the NFZ anyway, there is no reason to pay for them twice.

What is the difference between quantitative CRP and hs-CRP?

Quantitative CRP is the standard test, which provides an exact protein value and is used to assess inflammation, for example during an infection. Laboratories describe it in their price lists as “quantitative CRP” or “CRP, serum”. In the price lists we collected, it typically costs PLN 20 ‑ 24.

hs-CRP, or high-sensitivity CRP, measures very low protein concentrations. Doctors usually order it to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, rather than for an infection. At some laboratories, hs-CRP costs the same as standard CRP or even less: in one of the collected price lists, high-sensitivity CRP was cheaper than a standard test at other facilities. Before ordering, check which test your doctor requested, as the results use different ranges.

Do you need to fast before a CRP test?

You do not need to fast for a CRP test alone, as eating has virtually no effect on the result. Laboratories nevertheless recommend having blood drawn in the morning. If you are having CRP tested together with glucose, cholesterol or iron, you will need to fast, usually for 8 to 12 hours. The simplest option is to arrive in the morning before breakfast, drink some water and have the whole set of tests done with a single blood draw.

Before the test, tell your doctor about any anti-inflammatory medicines and any recent injury, procedure or intensive workout, as these may affect the result.

What does a CRP test detect?

A CRP test detects inflammation in the body, but does not indicate its cause or location. Doctors use it for several purposes:

1. Distinguishing between infections. High CRP is more commonly associated with bacterial than viral infections, which helps the doctor decide on treatment.
2. Monitoring treatment. A decrease in CRP in subsequent tests shows that the treatment is working.
3. Chronic diseases. In rheumatic diseases or inflammatory bowel disease, CRP helps assess whether the disease is active.
4. After procedures. CRP rises naturally after surgery, but another increase may indicate a complication.

Reference ranges are shown on the result report and vary between laboratories, as they depend on the testing method. A result on its own, without symptoms, says little, so ask your doctor what it means.

CRP or ESR: which test should you choose?

CRP and ESR are two different markers of inflammation, and doctors often order them together. CRP responds more quickly: it rises within several hours of the onset of inflammation and falls quickly when the inflammation subsides. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) changes more slowly and also depends on other factors, such as anaemia or age.

We do not yet have ESR prices in the index, so we do not provide one. In practice, ESR is one of the cheapest tests in laboratory price lists, so an ESR and CRP pair costs only slightly more than CRP alone at PLN 21. If you order tests yourself, it is most sensible to have CRP together with a full blood count (full blood count costs about PLN 25), as a full blood count shows the white blood cell count, which also changes during an infection. You can read more in our article full blood count with differential: price and test package.

Is a pharmacy CRP test reliable?

A pharmacy CRP test provides an approximate result rather than an exact value, so it is not a substitute for a laboratory test. Most such tests are semi-quantitative: using a drop of blood from a fingertip, they show the range in which the protein concentration falls. This may help you decide whether to see a doctor urgently, but doctors use a venous blood test for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

We do not collect pharmacy test prices in the index. If you cannot get to a collection point, an alternative is a blood draw at the patient’s home for about PLN 70, plus the price of the test.

How can you avoid overpaying for a CRP test?

• Compare collection points in the same chain. Prices for the same test vary between cities and locations, sometimes by more than PLN 10.
• Buy online. Many laboratories offer lower prices in their online shop than at the counter.
• Combine tests in a single blood draw. CRP, a full blood count, glucose or fibrinogen test (about PLN 30) can be tested from a single blood draw, so there is no point in making two visits.
• Check test packages. “Inflammation” packages can be cheaper than the sum of individual tests, but only if you need all their components.
• Do not pay twice. If your doctor can order CRP under the NFZ, ask for a referral.

For a sore throat, a doctor may also order aSO test (antistreptolysin titre), which costs about PLN 41. You can read about other inexpensive blood tests in our articles private cholesterol test and iron and ferritin tests.

„CRP ilościowo surowica. 27,00.”

zwps.pl, source

„CRP wysokiej czułości, CRP ultraczułe. 18,00 surowica.”

DGP MED, source

„Wybrane wskaźniki stanu zapalnego | od 21 zł”

ALAB laboratoria, source

You can find prices for other laboratory tests and appointments in the health category, and details of this test on the cRP test page.

The prices in this article come from public price lists published by laboratories and medical facilities. Each entry on the how much does a CRP test cost page includes the source, date and verbatim quotation. This article is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a CRP test cost without a referral?

Bez skierowania, w prywatnym laboratorium, badanie CRP kosztuje zwykle PLN 20 ‑ 24. Mediana z zebranych cenników to PLN 21.

How much do ESR and CRP tests cost together?

Samo CRP kosztuje prywatnie około PLN 21. Ceny OB nie mamy jeszcze w indeksie, ale to jedno z najtańszych badań laboratoryjnych, więc para OB i CRP zwykle niewiele przekracza cenę samego CRP. Sprawdź cennik punktu pobrań.

How long does it take to get a CRP result?

Wynik CRP laboratoria wydają zwykle tego samego dnia albo następnego dnia roboczego, często w wersji online. Za szybszy wynik (cito) część placówek dolicza opłatę.

Is CRP included in a full blood count?

Nie, CRP to osobne badanie, którego nie ma w wyniku morfologii. Obie pozycje zamawia się osobno: morfologia kosztuje około PLN 25, CRP około PLN 21.

How can you check CRP at home?

W domu można zrobić apteczny test CRP z kropli krwi z palca, który pokazuje wynik orientacyjny. Dokładną wartość daje tylko badanie z krwi żylnej, a pielęgniarka może ją pobrać w domu za około PLN 70 plus cena badania.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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