ESR test – erythrocyte sedimentation rate

ESR is used for detecting inflammations. Assessment of the rate at which morphotic elements sediment in the peripheral blood.

Decreased ESR values may indicate true polycythaemia, hyperviscosity of blood, cryoglobulinaemia, low haptoglobin concentrations.

Elevated ESR levels

They occur in the course of:

• infectious diseases,
• tissue necrosis,
• neoplasms,
• connective tissue (collagen) diseases,
• rheumatoid diseases,
• bacterial infection,
• sepsis,
• autoimmune diseases,
• nephrotic syndrome,
• neoplastic diseases,
• myeloma,
• macroglobulinaemia,
• myocardial infarction.

The ESR test has low specificity and high sensitivity, and may therefore produce false negative and false positive results.

False-positive results of the ESR test are caused by:

• menstruation,
• pregnancy,
• ovulation inhibitors,
• hyperlipoproteinaemias,
• anaemias,
• medications.

ESR test – what does it look like?

• This is an invasive test – a blood sample is collected into an EDTA test tube, according to the standard blood collection procedure. This procedure involves disinfecting the skin, placing a tourniquet and applying pressure at the collection site after blood collection.
• Duration – from a few to a few dozen seconds.
• The test requires adequate preparation – otherwise, its results may be unreliable.
• Blood is collected in the morning hours.

Required preparation a few days before the test:

• Avoid drinking alcohol for 2-3 days before the test.
• Cut down on coffee and tea – on the day of the test, refrain from drinking them for at least 12 hours before blood collection.
• If possible, eliminate any sources of stress.

On the day of the test:

• The last meal can be consumed 12 hours before the test – the blood test must be done on an empty stomach.
• A glass of water in the morning is acceptable.
• Where possible, the test should be performed before patients take their morning dose of medicines, unless their physician instructs otherwise.
• Before the test, patients should remain at rest for 10 – 15 minutes (in a sitting position).
• Physical exercise, including moderate effort, such as walking or climbing stairs, should be limited as it may alter the values of laboratory tests.

ESR test result

• The ESR test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of any Medicover Centre.
• The results can be accessed online. To do this, you have to visit the reception desk to generate a password in the centre of your choice.