Do You Need An ESR Blood Test?

Short for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, an ESR test is a very common blood test typically performed to check for the presence of inflammation in your blood. Simply because inflammation is a normal part of your body’s defence system. If inflammation is detected, your body is probably busy fighting off an infection, a toxin, or healing itself from an injury.  

Therefore, if you are struggling with symptoms like fever, joint pain, or unexplained weight loss (or have been diagnosed with an inflammatory disease), an ESR blood test should be scheduled into your family calendar pronto.

After all, knowledge is power and early detection is key. Let’s learn more about the multiple benefits an ESR blood test offers.

The Ins And Outs Of ESR Testing

In a nutshell, an ESR test is a non-specific test. This basically means it cannot pinpoint the exact cause of inflammation. It can only indicate that inflammation is present.

It does this by measuring the speed at which your red blood cells (also known as erythrocytes) settle at the bottom of a thin vertical test tube over a set period. Hence the name Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. 

In order to know exactly how fast your red blood cells have dropped, your doctor looks at the distance your red blood cells have fallen from the top of the tube (measured in millimetres per hour). Of course, the height of the clear liquid (known as plasma) at the top of the tube is also measured. This is because when an inflammatory response occurs, certain proteins (including fibrinogen) are released into your bloodstream. This release can cause your red blood cells to clump together and settle more quickly than they normally would.

Let’s look at some statistics. In 2019, it was estimated that about 67,586,168 people were living with inflammatory disease worldwide. In human terms, that is about 67 million people.

In the UK, more than 500,000 people have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Another study showed that 10% of the British population have autoimmune diseases (known for causing inflammation). That is quite alarming, making an ESR test all the more important.

Other Than Inflammation, What Else Can An ESR Test Detect?

Naturally, inflammation, infection, disease, and an opulent lifestyle (like excessive alcohol consumption) go hand in hand. If any of these occur, inflammation is likely to be present. 

Therefore, your ESR levels may rise if there is an infection brewing in your body. For example, pneumonia, tuberculosis, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Infections affecting tissues and organs, like endocarditis (a heart valve infection), can also lead to higher ESR levels.

Of course, certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and some solid tumors can also cause your ESR levels to spike (even though an ESR test cannot provide a cancer diagnosis).

Let’s Have A Quick Look At Standard ESR Results

Full disclaimer: ESR results can be influenced by your age, gender, and the method used for testing. There are, however, general reference ranges that physicians use to interpret the results. 

For adults, a normal ESR range is typically:

• 0 to 15 mm/hr for men under the age of 50.
• 0 to 20 mm/hr for women under the age of 50.
• 0 to 20 mm/hr for men over the age of 50.
• 0 to 30 mm/hr for women over the age of 50.

For children, a normal ESR range measures about:

• 0 to 2 mm/hr in newborns.
• ≤10 to 20 mm/hr in children aged between 1 month and 12 years.

Factors That Can Affect Your Results

As we age, our bodies change. And so do our ESR levels. Generally, our ESR levels start to increase soon after puberty. Women also tend to have significantly higher levels than men. 

When it comes to pregnancy, (especially during the later stages), your ESR rises due to changes in your blood proteins. 

And a low RBC count is an essential feature of anaemia and may also affect the ESR result. This is because with few RBCs, the sedimentation rate may be relatively faster.

High ESR Levels

If your ESR is higher than normal, your doctor could request further testing. This can range from blood cultures to X-rays, or even specific antibody tests, depending on the symptoms. Other blood tests that may be in order are the CRP test, ANA test (antinuclear antibody), and even an RF test (rheumatoid factor).

Sometimes an increased ESR level may be used in the monitoring of a chronic condition and treatment. For instance, if you have an autoimmune disease, one may follow your ESR level to assess how well your treatment is working. A decrease in your ESR levels usually signifies that the inflammation of your body is controlled. Which is great.

Bear in mind that an abnormal ESR result does not always translate to a potential health problem lurking around the corner.

To Summarise What We Have Learned

An ESR test helps detect inflammation. Full stop.

If inflammation is detected, it hints that a range of health issues, from inflammation to infections, autoimmune diseases and even cancer, can be the culprit. This prompts your doctor to investigate. Once the ESR level-raising culprit is uncovered, it can be dealt with proactively. 

An ESR test is also used to check for whether a previously detected illness is responding to treatment. Just remember that early detection, as well as staying on top of your health through regular monitoring is the key to a long and happy life.