ESR Test - A Basic Overview of This Inflammation Marker

What is the ESR Test?

The ESR test is a diagnostic test used to check for inflammation in the human body. ESR stands for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). The purpose of this test is to check how quickly red blood cells collect/settle at the bottom of a vial that contains blood.

How the Test Works:

1. Blood is drawn from the veins of the patient and stored in a vertical vial.
2. The sample is observed; specifically, the depth at which the red blood cells fall in the sample is measured in millimetres.
3. The higher rate at which the red blood cells fall marks more inflammation in the patient’s body. This is mainly because red blood cells clump together and settle faster when there are inflammatory proteins in the body.

When is the ESR Test Ordered?

An ESR test is generally ordered when doctors suspect the presence of medical conditions that cause an inflammatory response in the body. This includes:

●     Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

●     Infections

●     Inflammatory conditions such as vasculitis

●     Certain types of cancer

Interpreting the Results

●     Normal ESR: If the results of the ESR blood test are normal, it indicates that there’s no presence of significant inflammation in the person’s body. The normal range can vary according to the sex and age of the person.

●     Elevated ESR: If the results of an ESR test show an elevated ESR rate, it could mean the presence of inflammation in the body. However, this test is not helpful in determining the underlying cause of the inflammation. As such further diagnostic testing is generally recommended to understand the underlying cause.

Factors Affecting ESR Results

Various factors can influence an ESR test result, including:

●     Age and gender of the patient as older adults and women generally have a higher ESR comparatively.

●     Anaemia

●     Pregnancy

●     Having certain medications in your diet

Limitations of the ESR Test

●     The ESR test results cannot effectively determine the cause of the inflammation, so it is not a specific test.

●     Various factors can influence the ESR blood test results, which may be unrelated to the presence of inflammation.

Conclusion

The ESR test is a useful tool to help doctors understand the presence of inflammation in a patient’s body. However, it is best used in conjunction with other diagnostic tests to understand the potential underlying causes of inflammation.