Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test in Bhiwandi - Price & Details

PharmEasy Labs combines convenience and high-grade diagnostic services to bring you an unparalleled experience. Accurate reports are vital for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, so PharmEasy Labs uses advanced technology to prepare the reports. The technicians and pathologists (they verify the reports) are extremely skilled. The reports are made available in record time. And you get discounts on all tests, including the ESR test in Bhiwandi.

ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Erythrocytes are commonly known as red blood cells. In this test, a blood sample is placed in a long, thin test tube in the laboratory to see how quickly the red blood cells sink to the bottom. Normally the red blood cells sink to the bottom slowly. But during inflammation, auto-agglutination occurs, in which red blood cells tend to clump together. Since aggregated cells are heavier than the single cells, their descent speed is also higher. An ESR test measures the sedimentation rate of the red blood cells.

A positive ESR test indicates that you may have a health condition that is causing inflammation. The more severe the inflammation, the higher the ESR number. There are certain medical conditions for which the ESR value may be high such as:

• Infections (TB, pneumonia, bone infections, UTI, severe skin infections, rheumatic fever etc.)
• Arthritis
• Arteritis: a medical emergency that can lead to permanent vision loss
• Immune system disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
• Polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR): an anti-inflammatory rheumatoid disease that causes pain in the neck, shoulders, and hips
• Kidney disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease: persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding are common symptoms
• Heart disease
• Systemic vasculitis: refers to a set of disorders leading to inflammation of the blood vessels and, ultimately, to ischemic tissue damage.
• Certain cancers like lymphoma or multiple myeloma
• Tissue injury or trauma

Certain conditions can cause the sedimentation rate of red blood cells to be slower than normal, including certain blood disorders such as:

• Polycythemia or erythrocytosis: a type of blood cancer caused by the overproduction of red blood cells, which may lead to serious health conditions like blood clots
• Sickle cell disease: one of the groups of inherited disorders in which red blood cells become deformed and die prematurely, resulting in a low red blood cell count
• Leukocytosis: a high white blood cell count which is commonly caused by infection, inflammation, or recent surgery

Heart failure and certain kidney or liver problems can also lower ESR levels. Some other factors that may alter ESR results are-

• Menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Ageing
• Alcohol consumption
• Exercise
• Health supplements

The ESR test is not a confirmatory test. This test can indicate the presence of inflammation but cannot diagnose the specific disease causing the inflammation. ESR results may also be normal despite inflammation. Therefore, along with this test, other tests such as complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) test, arthritis tests, and complete metabolic panel test will be recommended to get more information about overall health.

The ESR test is used to help diagnose diseases that cause inflammation. If your doctor suspects that your symptoms are caused by an inflammatory condition, he/she may recommend an ESR test. The symptoms depend on the underlying condition. Some common symptoms are as follows:

• Unexplained fever
• Headache
• Loss of weight
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in neck, shoulders, and hips
• Stiffness of joints
• Anaemia

An ESR test may be performed to monitor your health if you have previously been treated for an infection, autoimmune disease, or a health condition that causes inflammation.

An ESR test requires no preparation, such as fasting. If your doctor recommends other tests along with the ESR, you may need to fast. Your doctor will let you know the necessary instructions in advance.

During the ESR Test

A PharmEasy phlebotomist will go to your home at the time you selected when you booked the test. To minimise discomfort, a vein finder will be used for accurate identification of the necessary vein into which a needle will be inserted, and a sample of blood will be drawn. The sample will be put in an icebox and taken to the labs.