The speed at which red blood cells, or erythrocytes, settle inside a test tube is known as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR. This test determines whether inflammation is present in your body. Infections and injuries typically trigger an immunological response that leads to inflammation. Inflammation is also a symptom of some illnesses, including some forms of cancer and autoimmune diseases. To find out more about the test, continue reading.
An ESR test: what is it?
The ESR test, which gauges how quickly red blood cells settle inside the test tube, is frequently used in regular blood testing. Sedimentation, which is assessed over an hour, is the rate at which red blood cells settle.
What are an ESR test’s objectives?
An ESR test’s primary goal is to detect inflammation in the body. This test aids in the detection of blood abnormalities, kidney ailments, autoimmune diseases, infections, and other illnesses. Your doctor might also recommend this test to monitor the course of an infection or autoimmune disease that you have already been diagnosed with.
When is the right time to take an ESR test?
If you are experiencing symptoms or indicators of an inflammatory disease, your doctor can recommend an ESR test. Among the symptoms could be:
- Unexplained fever
- Headache
- Low appetite
- Weight loss
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Joint stiffness
- Anemia
Doctors generally prescribe an ESR test along with other tests, such as a complete blood count, metabolic panel, and arthritis test, to determine the health problem. You can go for a thyrocare blood test because it provides accurate test results.
You might also need this test if you have already been diagnosed with a condition to determine whether the treatment is working or not.
How does an ESR test proceed?
A tiny sample of your blood must be extracted from a vein in your hand in order to perform an ESR test. Fasting before to the test is not necessary. However, since some medications may alter the test findings, be careful to speak with your doctor if you are on any medications.
Usually, a blood test has no negative consequences. However, there is a chance that the place where the blood was drawn will be slightly bruised or painful. The bruises will naturally go in a day or two.
What is the meaning of the test results?
Millimeters per hour (mm/h), which indicates how quickly the red blood cells descend to the test tube’s bottom, is how the ESR test findings are expressed. There is no standard reference range for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) because several factors, such as age, sex, and others, might affect the rate.
In addition to other test results, the ESR test result is typically interpreted in light of the patient’s symptoms and present state of health. Your red blood cells dropped more quickly than usual if your test results reveal an abnormally high erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This could occur if the red blood cells contain more protein, which leads to the proteins binding to one another. Numerous illnesses, particularly those that produce inflammation, like infections, lupus, arthritis, anemia, tissue damage, and some types of cancer, can cause an increase in the ESR.
Your test result may indicate issues such as heart disease, red blood cell disorders, and certain forms of renal and liver problems if the ESR is abnormally low. An ESR test is readily available in Thyrocare.
