What is an ESR Blood Test?
The ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) test, often called a Sed Rate test, is a simple but highly effective way to detect inflammatory activity in your body. It measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) sink to the bottom of a tall, thin vertical tube over the course of one hour. Doctors use this test as a primary diagnostic tool to check for hidden inflammation caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, or chronic diseases.
How the ESR Test Works
When inflammation is present, your liver produces specific proteins like fibrinogen that cause red blood cells to clump together. These clumps are heavier than individual cells and sink faster toward the bottom of the tube. The faster they fall, the higher the ESR value — signaling a higher level of inflammation in the body.
- High ESR — May indicate Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Tuberculosis, or severe infections
- Mildly Elevated — Often seen during pregnancy, menstruation, or due to aging
- Monitoring tool — Doctors use ESR to track how well a patient responds to treatment for chronic inflammatory conditions
Normal ESR Range
| Category | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Men under 50 | 0 – 15 mm/hr |
| Men over 50 | 0 – 20 mm/hr |
| Women under 50 | 0 – 20 mm/hr |
| Women over 50 | 0 – 30 mm/hr |
| Children | 0 – 10 mm/hr |
Values above these ranges indicate inflammation and require further investigation by your doctor.
When is an ESR Test Recommended?
Your doctor may recommend an ESR test if you experience:
- Unexplained fever or fatigue lasting more than a week
- Joint pain, stiffness or swelling
- Headaches with neck stiffness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Symptoms of autoimmune conditions like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Monitoring of known inflammatory conditions like Temporal Arteritis or Polymyalgia Rheumatica
What Conditions Does ESR Help Diagnose?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
- Tuberculosis (TB) and chronic infections
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Temporal Arteritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
- Kidney disease
- Certain cancers including lymphoma and multiple myeloma
ESR Test Price in Kolkata
No fasting required | Results within a few hours | Free home collection above ₹2,000
Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside ESR
ESR identifies that inflammation exists but does not pinpoint its exact cause. It is almost always performed alongside:
- CBC (Complete Blood Count) — detects infection, anemia and blood disorders
- CRP (C-Reactive Protein) — more specific marker of acute inflammation
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF) — screens for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- ANA Test — screens for autoimmune conditions like Lupus
- Widal Test — if typhoid fever is suspected
Home Collection for ESR Test in Kolkata
Apollo Diagnostics provides home blood sample collection for ESR tests across North and Central Kolkata. Our trained phlebotomists arrive at your doorstep with sterile single-use equipment. Samples are barcoded at your home and transported to our NABL-certified central laboratory for processing.
- Home collection available: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Daily
- Free home collection on orders above ₹2,000
- Digital reports delivered to WhatsApp within a few hours
→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages
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