Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test | ইএসআর টেস্ট কী, কেন করানো হয়

What is ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a simple blood test that measures how fast red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle at the bottom of a test tube in one hour. A faster rate usually indicates inflammation or infection in the body.
This is a nonspecific test, meaning it cannot identify the exact cause but can signal the presence of disease.

Purpose of ESR Test

Doctors often order an ESR test to:

• Detect inflammation
• Help diagnose conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
• Monitor chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, or kidney disorders
• Investigate symptoms like:
• Persistent fever
• Fatigue or body pain
• Unexplained weight loss

Normal ESR Values

• Men under 50 years: up to 15 mm/hr
• Men over 50 years: up to 20 mm/hr
• Women under 50 years: up to 20 mm/hr
• Women over 50 years: up to 30 mm/hr
• Children: up to 10 mm/hr
• Newborns: up to 2 mm/hr

Note: Normal ranges may vary slightly between laboratories.

High ESR May Indicate

• Infections (e.g. pneumonia, TB)
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Certain cancers (especially lymphoma or leukemia)
• Kidney disease
• Anemia

Low ESR May Indicate

• Polycythemia vera
• Sickle cell disease
• Dehydration
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
• Increased white blood cell count

What Doctors Should Know

• ESR is not a diagnostic tool on its own
• Must be interpreted with other tests like CRP or CBC
• Serial ESR levels are more useful than a single result
• May remain elevated after the illness has resolved

What Patients Should Know

• It is a safe and simple blood test
• No fasting needed in most cases
• Results are usually available on the same day
• Inform your doctor if you are:
• Pregnant
• On any medication
• Recently sick or vaccinated

When to Get an ESR Test

You may need an ESR test if you have:

• Long-term fever
• Joint pain or swelling
• Chronic fatigue
• Sudden weight loss
• A known inflammatory disease being monitored

Summary

The ESR test is a low-cost, noninvasive test used to check for inflammation in the body. While it cannot confirm a specific illness, it helps guide doctors in diagnosis and disease monitoring. Both patients and healthcare providers benefit from understanding its role in medical evaluation.