The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test 1 tube. A faster-than-normal rate can indicate inflammation in the body, which may
What is an ESR Test?
A blood sample will be taken by a medical technician from an arm vein with a thin needle. A tiny sample of blood will be drawn into a test tube or a vial after the needle has been inserted. You will experience a slight sting when the needle goes in or comes out. This is a quick test and will not take more than five minutes.
What is an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?
Your red blood cells are also called erythrocytes. Sedimentation rate is how fast your red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, is a blood test your doctor has you receive that can tell you if you have inflammation somewhere in your body. Inflammation is the manner in which your body responds to injury, infection, and a multitude of diseases, including immune system illnesses, certain types of cancer, and blood disease.
To have an ESR test done, a sample of blood is sent to the laboratory. Your doctor places the sample into a tall, thin tube and gauges how fast your red blood cells fall or move to the bottom of the tube. Red blood cells migrate slowly under usual conditions. However, when inflammation is present, red blood cells migrate in masses all at one time. Clustered cells will be more crowded than isolated cells and thus will sediment faster.
If your red blood cells fall faster than usual when you get an ESR test, it could be a sign that you have a disease that's inflaming you. The faster your red blood cells sink to the bottom of the tube in your test, the more inflamed you are. More inflammation is associated with higher ESR rates. But a test of ESR by itself won't indicate what disease is inflaming you.
ESR is used for-
An ESR can be combined with other tests to treat and diagnose diseases that result in inflammation. Many disease states lead to inflammation, such as arthritis, vasculitis, infection, and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). A screening of an ESR is also utilized for managing an already diagnosed disease.
Why do I have to have an ESR?
Your doctor will order an ESR if you have an illness that causes inflammation and you are showing symptoms. Your symptoms will depend on your illness but may include:
- Headaches
- Unexplained fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Joint stiffness
- Pain in the neck or shoulders
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia
Will I have to prepare in any way for an ESR?
You will not have to prepare in any special way for this test. But if your doctor ordered other tests on this blood sample, you might have to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours before the test. Your doctor will let you know if something special is something that you’ll have to do.
Is there any risk of the test?
There is very little risk to having an ESR. You can experience some pain or bruising where the needle entered, but it will clear after a little while.
What do the results signify?
Your doctor will combine your ESR test result, medical history, symptoms, and other test results to diagnose you. One ESR test is not sufficient to use to diagnose illnesses that produce inflammation.
A high ESR test result suggests your red blood cells sank more quickly than usual. This might be caused by a disease that involves inflammation, including:
- Giant cell arteritis, inflammation of your arteries, most often your scalp, neck, and arms
- Arthritis
- Systemic vasculitis, inflammation of the walls of your blood vessels, which can happen anywhere in your organs
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney disease
- Infections
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
- Heart disease
- Some cancers
Low reading on an ESR test is the outcome where your red blood cells did not sink faster than normal. This is due to:
A blood disorder, such as:
- Polycythemia, overproduction of your red blood cells, thickening your blood
- Sickle cell disease (SCD)
- Leukocytosis, excess of white blood cells (WBC)
- Heart Failure
- Certain liver and kidney diseases
Conclusion
If your ESR test result is not normal it does not automatically mean that you have a disease and should be treated. Your normal ESR reading will be age and sex dependent. Pregnancy and menstruation, aging, obesity, chronic alcohol consumption, and exercise affect the level of ESR. Some medications and supplements also affect your test, so inform your provider if you are on any medications or supplements.
FAQS
Q. What is the full form of ESR?
The full form of ESR is Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Q. What are the other names of ESR?
The other names of ESR are SED rate, sedimentation rate, Westergren sedimentation rate.
Q. What does it mean if your ESR is high?
If your doctor found your ESR is high, it indicates inflammation in your body.
