An Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate is a type of blood test that measures how quickly RBC settle at the bottom of test tube that contains blood sample. Normally, RBC settle relatively slowly. A faster than normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body.

Why Doctors request an ESR test : When you are experiencing inflammation, your RBC’s cling together, forming clumps. This clumping affects the rate at which RBC sink inside a tube where a blood sample is placed. The test let’s the doctor see how much clumping is occurring. The faster and farther the cells sinks towards the bottom of a test tube, the more likely it is that inflammation is present.
The ESR test can be used to help your healthcare providers diagnose conditions that cause inflammation such as :
– Autoimmune diseases
– Cancers
– Infections
– Some types of Arthritis
– Certain muscle or connective tissue problems, such as polymyalgia rheumatica.

Signs that you should take an ESR test : These symptoms may include :
– Joint pain or stiffness that last longer than 30 mins in the morning.
– Headaches, particularly with associated pain in the shoulders.
– Abnormal weight loss.
– Pain in the shoulders, neck or pelvis.
– Digestive systems, such as diarrhea, fever, blood in stool or abdominal pain.

Conditions & Symptoms mentioned above is not an exhaustive list. Normal ESR test results are measured in mm/hr. The following might be considered normal ESR test results but lot of variation can be there between machines :
– Women under 50 yrs – 0 – 20 mm/hr
– Women over 50 yrs – 0 – 30 mm/hr
– Men under 50 yrs – 0 – 15 mm/hr
– Men over 50 yrs – 0 – 20 mm/hr
– Children should have an ESR 0 – 10 mm/hr

The higher the number, the higher the likelihood of inflammation. So, if your experiencing any of the symptoms above get your test booked and done today at your doorsteps.

Be healthy, be safe. #MedShubh

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