ESR Test: What Is It And How Do You Interpret Results?

An abbreviation of “erythrocyte sedimentation rate”, the ESR test indicates the sedimentation rate of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) or erythrocytes in your blood by measuring specific proteins responsible. ESR indicates whether inflammation is present in your body. Your body uses inflammation as a strategy to defend your tissues and speed up the process of healing after an injury, illness, and other disorders. It is usually temporary and sometimes may be inside your body. Inflammation can occur due to an immune infection, chronic disease, or other medical conditions. ESR will let you know if we have an inactive or active stage of the disease.

Why is ESR needed?

• Primarily, the indication of inflammation occurs because of autoimmune disorders, several infections, or tumors (benign or malignant).
• To check the prognosis of inflammation rate.
• To determine the effectiveness of medication for inflammatory ailments.

How do we interpret the ESR results?

The ESR test calculates the frequency of sedimentation of RBCs over an hour in a tube containing a blood sample. Millimeters per hour (mm/hr) indicate the ESR test result. Specific proteins, particularly fibrinogen, show increased levels when inflammation is involved. The high fibrinogen level in the circulation causes the red blood cells to stack (rouleaux formation), which settle down fast because of the higher density. 

Therefore, inflammation is not the only factor that can alter an ESR. However, an elevated ESR may indicate the development of inflammation, but not specify the location or cause. Thus, an ESR test is conducted in addition to specific other tests.

ESR Normal Ranges:

• ESR should be 0–2 mm/hr in infants, but it can range from 0–10 mm/hr in children.
• Women’s ESR rates should be between 0 and 20 mm/hr but can range between 0 and 30 mm/hr as they age.
• ESR in men can range from 0 to 15 millimeters per hour (mm/hr) or from 0 to 20 millimeters per hour in men over 50.

High ESR level: 

A high ESR can be brought on by various conditions, including aging, kidney dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, arthritis, pelvic or bone infection, viral infections, pneumonia, heart valve infection, pregnancy, appendicitis, and specific types of tumors (benign or malignant). An unusually high ESR may be a sign of malignant tumors.

Low ESR test:

Low ESR may indicate blood diseases such as sickle cell disorder, critical liver ailments, hypofibrinogenemia, polycythemia, and congestive cardiac failure.

Other tests for inflammation

Doctors generally prescribe C–reactive protein tests to check inflammatory activity. C–reactive protein test calculates the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) produced by the liver. Generally, you have low concentrations of CRP in your blood. Your body secretes more CRP into your circulation if there is inflammation throughout your body. You may have a chronic health issue that leads to inflammation if your CRP count is in excess.

Conclusion

ESR test are performed to understand the disease contributing to inflammation. The test requires the minimum amount of blood level, thus minimizing the risk of contracting other medical conditions. The test has no threat associated with your health. Moreover, since the blood collection for the ESR test requires a syringe, a patient may, in very rare cases, develop significant bleeding or hematoma formation, which is blood collection under the skin, swelling or infection, or bruise at the needle prick point.