Mine always look sad coming out of winter..washed out look...I get them into very bright filtered light and they perk up in 2 weeks..also I feed them a good dose of super thrive

KC,
Some possibilities: (mealy bugs hidden in the stem/leaves/roots,or just plain dehydrated)
Remove it from its soil,wash/soak or rinse the whole plant,roots too, in an diluted plant insecticide,or,a diluted mix of water and dish-washer soap,and after 10 minutes or so,rinse in clean water.Remove dead lower leaves,and replant in new soil,with a small dash of plant fertilizer mixed in,water,and place in warm area with high light,or morning/late afternoon sun,keep slightly moist,not soggy.
If in a few weeks,it does not improve,plant outdoors (if temp.allows) in a bright shaded area,directly in the soil,no pot.Mother Nature will revive it,if its at all possible. This usually works for me. Worst case,you may still get it to send offsets to replant.
Bob

Thanks so much for the good suggestions. I'll try the washing and replanting this week, and let you know how it goes.

Good news!! There is new growth on my cryptanthus. It looks like there are 2 crowns coming up from the middle. Are these "pups" or is this the normal form the plant takes?

Thanks again for the suggestions!

Yes,KC,these are 'pups',also called 'offsets'.Just leave them on the 'mother plant',and they will eventually fall off,or can be taken off with a gentle tug when about a third the size of the mama. Then you can replant them,and they will be your new plants.
Sounds like things are improving.Good.
[a pic of two cryptanthus examples with some pups.On the left,too small to plant yet, on the right,the size is ok to remove and plant]
{{gwi:451874}}
Bob