ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

Service Description

Biomarker: ESR Sample: BLOOD Results: Next Day Phlebotomy fee: £10.00 ESR measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle at the bottom of a tube in one hour. An increased rate of sedimentation indicates inflammation. During inflammation, certain proteins like fibrinogen increase in the blood, making red blood cells clump together (rouleaux formation), which causes them to settle faster. While not specific to any one disease, an elevated ESR can indicate various conditions involving inflammation, such as infections, autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), cancers, and tissue injury. Low ESR is typically not a cause for concern but can be seen in conditions like sickle cell anaemia or polycythaemia.