ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

Inflammation is the body’s normal response to an injury or infection. It usually occurs when the body releases chemicals that trigger an immune response to fight off a disease or heal damaged tissue. Once the injury or infection is healed, the inflammatory process subsides. An ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) test helps assess the presence and degree of inflammation in the body. It may also be used to monitor the progression of certain chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

An ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) test may be done if you experience signs and symptoms like fever, joint stiffness, body pain, abdominal pain, or blood in the stool. It is a non-specific test; it cannot diagnose a specific disease or determine the cause of inflammation. It is usually done along with other tests to identify the underlying condition. Higher ESR values generally indicate a higher degree of inflammation or disease activity.

Elevated ESR values may be seen in infections such as bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vasculitis, after a heart attack, trauma, or surgery, or in some cancers, including lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Conditions other than inflammation that may cause an increase in ESR levels include anemia, pregnancy, aging, and certain medications. A decrease in ESR values may indicate a positive response to therapy.

Usually, overnight fasting (8-12 hours) is preferred for this test; however, it is not mandatory. It would be best to inform your doctor about your medications, as some may affect your test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The test results will help them determine your medical condition and formulate your treatment plan.