What is this test?
This laboratory test is performed on a blood sample to detect the degree of inflammation in the body by measuring the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation (settling down) in a test tube. Normally, erythrocytes settle down relatively slow.
Why is this test performed?
This test is performed to help the doctor in diagnosing any condition causing inflammation in the body, like:
- Arthritis
- Vasculitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Infection
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancers.
- What are the causes of abnormal ESR not related to diseases?
Following are the causes not related to medical conditions:
- Which medicines affect the test results?
Following medicines affect the test results:
- Oral contraceptives
- Aspirin
- Vitamin A
- What are the risks of this test?
Risks from withdrawing blood are rare. It includes:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Hematoma
- Inflammation of the vein
- Infection
- What food can reduce ESR?
Following foods may be helpful in an inflammatory condition:
- Fatty fish
- Berries
- Broccoli
- Avocados
- Mushrooms
- How to prepare for this test?
Inform your doctor about the use of all the prescribed and non-prescribed medicines. No other special preparations are required for the test.
Normal ranges:
Males: 0-15 mm/hr. or 0-20mm/hr. for older males
Females: 0-20mm/hr. or 0-30mm/hr. for older females
Children: 0-10mm/hr.
Newborns: 0-2mm/hr.
- Interpretation of test results:
- Causes of high ESR:
- Inflammatory disease
- Infection
- Autoimmune disease
- Advanced age
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Thyroid problems
- Obesity
- Congestive heart failure
- Sickle cell disease
- Polycythemia
- Leukocytosis
- Severe liver disease.
You should get tested:
If you have symptoms of inflammatory disease in the body, like:
- Joint stiffness
- Headache
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Anemia
- Loss of appetite
- Pelvic pain
- Diarrhea.
