ESR Test in Chennai

ESR Blood Test in Chennai

About ESR test

Doctors advise analysing the blood for a range of markers to detect inflammation in the body. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is one such measure. It is a blood test that can detect any inflammatory activity in the body. It is not a single conclusive test to determine the site or cause of the inflammation. Still, it can aid in diagnosing and monitoring inflammation throughout the body.

What is erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and how does the test work?

The test is also known as sedimentation test or sed rate test, because it examines how quickly the RBC settles to the bottom of a collection tube.

The test is carried out for a period of time, with the blood sample being measured over an hour or so.

When the body is inflamed, it has a wide range of detrimental impacts on several functions and organs. The inflammatory process in the body has a unique effect on red blood cells or erythrocytes. RBC clumping can occur as a result of inflammation.

RBC does not usually sink to the bottom quickly. When they cluster together in a typical situation, the sedimentation rate rises. In the case of acute and chronic inflammation, RBCs may have more protein, which may cause them to settle faster towards the bottom of the tube. The higher the degree of inflammation, the faster the RBC falls to the bottom.

What are the two main types of ESR blood tests?

There are two approaches for calculating the actual erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

1. The Westergren method is the most often used procedure for testing the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The procedure begins with blood drawn into a Westergren Katz tube and continues until the blood level reaches 200 mm. After that, the tube is stored upright at room temperature for 60 minutes. The test evaluates the gap between the tip of the blood mixture and the top of RBC sedimentation.
2. The Wintrobe method is similar to the Westergren method, the difference being the tubes used in both procedures. While it is a 100 mm tube for the Wintrobe method, it is a 200 mm tube for the Westergren method. This method is popular, but one significant disadvantage is that it is less sensitive than the Westergren method. So the Westergren method is given more priority.

What is the purpose of the ESR Test? 

Here is the purpose of the ESR blood Test-

• Diagnosis—The test helps to identify the cause of patient symptoms. Many health conditions can cause abnormal ESR levels, so the test is often combined with other tests to diagnose infections, blood disorders, kidney disease, and other health issues.

• Monitoring—The test also helps to assess a patient's health after diagnosis. An ESR test is used to identify inflammatory health conditions and evaluate the patient's response to treatment for certain disorders.

What does the ESR Test measure?

The ESR test measures how fast RBCs fall to the bottom of the test tube. The rate at which these cells fall is called the sedimentation rate, measured in millimeters per hour (mm/h).

Why does one need to undergo an ESR test in Chennai?

A person needs a test in case they display symptoms of underlying infection in the body like:

• Excessive headache, which is persistent. The inflammatory responses in the body can give rise to headaches that affect the temples and cause vision changes.
• Fever: Constantly high fever of 104°F or above
• Sudden weight loss
• Stiffness in the joints that leads to pain and restriction in mobility
• Shoulder and neck pain: Underlying inflammation can also give rise to excessive neck and shoulder pain, increasing with each passing day.
• Loss of appetite
• Anaemia: Low levels of haemoglobin in the blood.
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain

Because the erythrocyte sedimentation test cannot diagnose a problem on its own, it is usually combined with a complete blood haemogram and a CRP test, to provide a complete picture of the body’s inflammatory reactions.

Why is the ESR test used?

Doctors typically prescribe ESR blood testing to discover and diagnose unexplained symptoms, such as fever, arthritis or a muscular issue. An ESR test can frequently aid in the confirmation of a diagnosis of certain diseases, including:

• Giant cell arteritis
• Temporal arteritis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Cancers
• Infections

Many autoimmune disorders can cause inflammation in the body. In such circumstances, the test serves as a diagnostic tool.

Once the disease has been diagnosed, a standard ESR test can be included in the usual process to see whether or not the treatment offered is effective or helpful. Understanding the sedimentation rate test also aids in determining the severity of the underlying inflammation and how to properly monitor the therapy. A low sedimentation rate may suggest that the treatment is effective.

What preparation is required for the ESR Test?

You don't need any special preparation before the ESR Test. Here are simple guidelines you must follow before taking the test-

• Fasting- No fasting is necessary before the ESR blood test. You can eat and drink as usual. 
• Medications or supplements- If you take any medicines or supplements, consult your doctor, as some might interfere with your ESR levels.
• Hydration—You can drink water before the test. Staying hydrated ensures a smooth blood flow.

Consult your doctor—If you have any doubts about the procedure or anything else, discuss them with your doctor before going for the test.

What is the procedure for the ESR test?

An erythrocyte sedimentation rate test is a painless and straightforward technique. Our skilled phlebotomists will take care of everything after you arrange a test with us at the Redcliffe Labs. As it is a blood test, the first step involves collecting blood samples from an upper arm vein.

• The skin over the vein is cleaned first with antiseptic.
• An elastic band is then placed on top of the arm to apply slight pressure, making a drawing of blood easier.
• The phlebo then inserts a needle and draws blood.
• After pulling out of the needle, the area is covered, and pressure is administered to relieve the discomfort and excess blood.

The sample is adequately stored before being sent to the lab for testing. It is placed in a sedimentation tube, which remains for an hour. The test will help determine the pace at which the RBC sinks to the bottom of the tube. The test also determines how many RBCs sink. Because inflammation can cause RBCs to clump together and the presence of aberrant proteins, both of these factors can accelerate sedimentation.

ESR Blood Test Price in Chennai

The ESR blood test price in Chennai is often low, and the testing facility and its services mainly determine it. The ESR test price can increase due to the diagnostic facility’s advanced labs, accreditations and many other services. An FDA-approved, high-tech laboratory with a reputation for providing accurate results, will have a substantially higher cost, but you will be assured of quality. The ESR test cost in Chennai at Redcliffe is INR 117. While booking your test, you can avail of several discounts on our website and save money.

Other ESR Related Tests/Packages That You Can Book With Redcliffe Labs

How to analyse the results of the ESR test?

ESR test results are frequently expressed in millimetres per hour (mm/hr). The greater the number, the more likely inflammation is. The average ESR count is as follows:

People with low ESR values can have conditions like:

• Sickle cell anaemia: where the shape of RBC is altered and they become sickle-shaped.
• Leukaemia: blood cancer.
• High RBC count
• Reduced levels of the protein fibrinogen
• Blood becomes hyper viscous: the thickness of the blood increases.
• The high number of white blood cells in the blood.
• Increased chances of congestive heart failure.

When people have moderately elevated levels of ESR, It may or may not be an indicator of any health condition.

Moderately elevated levels can be seen generally in many cases, but they can also indicate the following conditions:

•  Rheumatoid arthritis
•  Anaemia: where there is a decrease in the number of red blood cell
•  kidney disorders
•  cancer like lymphoma
•  Tuberculosis
•  any infection of the bone
•  thyroid disorders
•  abnormalities in the red blood cell-like macrocytosis

Very high levels of ESR: extremely high levels of ESR are observed where the levels are above 100 mm per hour. These are indicators of very severe conditions like:

• Temporal arteritis, also known as polymyalgia rheumatica
• Hypersensitivity vasculitis: this is a condition where the body reacts excessively against any Allergan and leads to severe inflammation of blood vessel
• Plasma cell cancer or multiple myeloma.
• Cancer of white blood cell: Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia.