ESR Test Normal Range, Test Results, and More

Hey! Have you ever been advised to have an ESR test?

ESR, abbreviated as "Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate,” is a blood test often included in routine blood panels. Also known as the Sed rate test measures how fast the red blood cells (RBCs) in your body settle down in a test tube. 

Erythrocytes are red blood cells which typically have a slow settling rate. And, if your results go beyond the ESR normal range, it may indicate disease-causing high ESR symptoms. 

Today’s blog discusses the ESR, its normal range when to see a doctor and other important information to help you make well-informed decisions about your health. 

Also read: https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/blood-test/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr-normal-range-causes/

ESR Normal Range 

The ESR normal range in males is different from that in females: 

Gender and age	ESR normal range
Men under 50	0 to 15 mm/hr.
Women under 50	0 to 20 mm/hr
Men over 50	0 to 20 mm/hr
Women over 50	0-30 mm/hr

Additionally, the ESR normal range in children is between 0 and 10 mm/hr. Abnormal ESR test results mean a value exceeds the limit, indicating potential inflammation in your body. 

ESR, or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, in Detail 

An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can show if you have inflammation in your body. Inflammation means how your body’s immune system responds to injury, infection, and many other conditions. These may include certain cancers, immune system disorders, and blood disorders. 

How does a healthcare provider perform an ESR blood test?

Whether called an ESR test, SED rate sedimentation rate, or Westergren sedimentation rate, the main purpose of an ESR test is to help diagnose and monitor changes that cause inflammation. 

A doctor draws a blood sample from a vein in your arm and sends it to a lab. The lab expert places the sample in a thin test tube and measures how fast your RBCs settle or sink into the collection tube. 

In case of inflammation, red blood cells stick together in clumps that are heavier and likely to sink together. 

Lower values are considered normal, while higher ESR values indicate increased inflammation, which can be a result of underlying medical conditions such as:

• Infection
• Cancer
• Autoimmune diseases such as thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and celiac disease. 
• Certain forms of cancer
• Bone infection
• Abnormalities in RBCs
• Heart diseases

What are the side effects of an ESR blood test?

An ESR blood test is considered safe and doesn’t have side effects. You might feel slight pain or bruising at the puncture site, but most symptoms disappear quickly. 

If you continue to feel discomfort, do not delay. Contact your healthcare provider immediately for the best medical advice. 

What techniques can help measure your ESR?

Two types of techniques can help measure your ESR: 

• The Westergren method is the most commonly used method to measure an ESR. Blood is collected into a Westergren-Katz tube to a level of 200 mm. Then, the expert stores it vertically at room temperature. The measurement involves the distance between the top of the blood mixture and the top of the sedimented RBCs.
• Wintrobe Method: This method is similar to the Wintrobe method. However, it uses a thinner tube and is 100 mm long. Additionally, it is less sensitive than the former. 

What is the need for an ESR blood test?

An ESR blood test is needed to detect the signs of inflammation. You may need the test: 

• To detect certain conditions: The test helps detect certain conditions that can cause inflammation, such as arthritis, systemic vasculitis, infections, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. 
• Monitors disease progression: ESR tests also help doctors monitor the progression of diseases such as tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Helps assist in evaluating symptoms: The test also helps assist in evaluating symptoms causing inflammation, such as:

1. Headaches
2. Unexplained fever
3. Joint stiffness
4. Loss of appetite
5. Anemia
6. Neck or shoulder pain

Other tests might also be needed if you have: 

• Certain types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or gout.
• Connective tissue problems include polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disorder that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulders and lips. 
• Additional testing that can help detect inflammation includes: 
• C-reactive protein (CRP) Test: By measuring the levels of CRP in the blood, the test enables the body to detect inflammation. Conditions that can be diagnosed include infections, chronic inflammatory diseases, and assessing heart risk. 
• Procalcitonin (PCT) Test hThiss detects bacterial infections and sepsis. The PCT differentiates between bacterial and viral infections, assesses the severity of systematic infections, and monitors response to ongoing infections. 
• Complete blood count also helps measure the indicators of inflammation or infection. 

No matter the reason, if your doctor has suggested you take an ESR blood test for the timely assessment of infection or inflammation, get yourself tested immediately. Timely diagnosis can help ensure you begin treatment with the expert as soon as possible. 

Understanding of ESR Test Results

ESR levels are measured in millimeters per hour (mm/hr). High ESR levels mean a high risk of inflammation, showing values more than 100 mm/hr. 

Extremely high ESR levels mean any of the following conditions: 

Autoimmune Conditions
Lupus and certain types of arthritis, including RA	Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare type of cancer	Polymyalgia rheumatica	Hyperfibrinogenemia: too much fibrinogen in your blood.	Temporal arteritis is a condition when your temporal artery becomes inflamed.	Anemia, blood or vascular diseases, diabetes, heart disease, and blood vessel inflammation

 

Infectious Diseases
Bone infection	Heart infection	Rheumatic fever	Skin infection	Systematic infections	Tuberculosis (TB)

 

Other Diseases
Kidney disease	Obesity	Thyroid disease	Tissue injury	trauma

Low ESR test results may be due to: 

Congestive heart failure

Hypofibrinogenemia: too little fibrinogen in the blood.

Liver or kidney disease

Leukocytosis (high white blood cell count)

A bone marrow disorder

Sickle cell anemia

Other Reasons why your ESR test results are abnormal: 

• Pregnancy 
• Menstrual cycle
• Aging 
• Obesity 
• Alcoholism
• Exercise 
• Medications and supplements

Note: Consult your reports with your healthcare provider to understand the meaning of your ESR test results. The normal range of ESR can change depending on age, gender, and the laboratory where the test was conducted. 

Conclusion

An ESR blood test is prescribed to measure inflammation in the body. A doctor may also order tests to rule out or diagnose various inflammatory conditions if needed. 

Cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, infections, and certain cancers may affect ESR test results.

ESR normal Range and Redcliffe Labs

If your doctor suspects you may have arthritis, inflammation, cancer, infection, etc., an ESR test will help pinpoint the actual cause of the problem. 

Call or book an ESR test online from Redcliffe Labs at a pocket-friendly price. Besides, the establishment provides a home sample collection facility. You do not need to go to a diagnostic lab nearby, allowing you to get tested at your convenience.

A certified phlebotomist will come to your home with a blood collection kit, perform the necessary procedures, and then submit your sample to the lab for analysis. Nonetheless, the ESR test reports are typically available within 10 hours. 

Stepwise information on booking a test online from Redcliffe Labs. 

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
2. Browse or search for the specific test you need. 
3. Add the test to the cart. 
4. Complete the payment process online.

Note: You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can you prepare for an ESR blood test?

The test requires no fasting, allowing you to eat or drink your meals. Avoid alcohol and smoking before the test. Consult your doubts with your healthcare provider to get the most accurate test results. 

2. What is the normal range for an ESR blood test?

The normal range for an ESR blood test for men under 50 is less than 15 mm/hr; for men over 50, less than 20 mm/hr; for women under 50, less than 20 mm/hr; and for women over 50, less than 30 mm/hr.