Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Private ESR blood test in London for £55, measuring one non-specific inflammation marker with results expected in approximately 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate test measures how quickly red blood cells settle towards the bottom of a vertical tube over a defined period.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
When inflammatory proteins increase in the blood, red blood cells can become more likely to aggregate and settle more rapidly.
An increased sedimentation rate can therefore act as a non-specific marker of inflammation.
ESR does not identify where inflammation is located and cannot determine its cause.
The marker can increase with infection, autoimmune disease, inflammatory disorders and some cancers, but it is also affected by age, pregnancy, anaemia and red-cell characteristics.
This means an elevated ESR is not automatically evidence of a serious disease.
Likewise, a normal ESR does not exclude all inflammatory conditions.
ESR is commonly interpreted alongside C-Reactive Protein, Full Blood Count and clinical findings.
CRP generally responds more rapidly to acute inflammation, while ESR can change more slowly and may remain elevated for longer during recovery.
In some chronic rheumatological conditions, ESR is useful for monitoring disease activity over time.
The individual's previous ESR can therefore be as important as comparison with the general laboratory reference interval.
What Does the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test Check?
This test measures 1 biomarker.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
Measures the speed at which red blood cells settle in a laboratory tube, providing a non-specific indicator that can increase during inflammatory states.
Who May Benefit From the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test?
ESR may be useful when inflammation is suspected or an established inflammatory condition is being monitored.
People with persistent unexplained inflammatory symptoms - ESR may contribute to a broader investigation.
People with prolonged joint pain or stiffness - Inflammatory rheumatological conditions can increase ESR.
People with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica - ESR and CRP are commonly considered alongside the clinical picture.
People undergoing assessment for giant cell arteritis - ESR can be markedly raised, although urgent clinical assessment is more important than waiting for testing when symptoms are strongly suggestive.
People with established autoimmune disease - Serial ESR can sometimes help monitor inflammatory activity.
People with persistent fever without an obvious cause - ESR may form part of the initial inflammatory investigation.
People with a previous high ESR result - Repeat testing can determine whether inflammation appears to be resolving.
People undergoing broader haematology or rheumatology assessment - ESR can complement FBC, CRP and autoimmune markers.
How to Prepare
There is generally no special preparation required.
Because ESR is affected by factors other than inflammation, interpretation alongside a Full Blood Count and CRP is often more informative.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test
There is no symptom specific to a raised ESR because the test reflects general inflammatory activity rather than one disease.
Persistent joint pain and morning stiffness - These can occur in inflammatory rheumatological conditions.
Unexplained fever - Infection, autoimmune disease and other inflammatory states can increase ESR.
Persistent fatigue with other inflammatory symptoms - Fatigue can accompany systemic inflammation but is highly non-specific.
New shoulder or hip stiffness in an older adult - This pattern can occur in polymyalgia rheumatica and warrants clinical assessment.
New headache with scalp tenderness or visual symptoms - Giant cell arteritis is a medical emergency because untreated disease can threaten vision.
Unexplained weight loss with systemic symptoms - ESR may form part of a wider investigation but does not identify the cause.
A known inflammatory condition requiring monitoring - Changes in ESR can sometimes contribute to assessment of disease activity.
A previously unexplained raised ESR - Repeat testing may help determine whether the increase persists.
A raised ESR is not a diagnosis.
New visual loss, severe new headache with scalp tenderness, marked systemic illness or other concerning symptoms require prompt medical assessment regardless of the ESR result.
How to Book Your Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test
Booking your ESR test with London Blood Tests is straightforward.
Choose the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Select the individual ESR blood test.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required EDTA blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your sample is analysed to determine the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised ESR result is delivered securely and can be reviewed alongside CRP and other inflammatory markers.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected turnaround time for ESR is approximately 1 business day after your sample reaches the laboratory.
ESR is a routinely processed haematology investigation and can generally be completed quickly once an acceptable specimen arrives.
Your report is issued after laboratory analysis and authorisation.
Courier timing, weekends or specimen-quality issues can occasionally extend the time between sample collection and final reporting.
Understanding Your Results
A result within the reference range means the sedimentation rate is not substantially increased for the laboratory's expected range.
A normal ESR does not completely exclude infection, autoimmune disease or inflammation.
A raised ESR indicates faster red-cell sedimentation.
Possible causes include infection, inflammatory autoimmune disease, anaemia, pregnancy and other systemic conditions.
ESR tends to increase with age, meaning interpretation should take patient characteristics into account.
A very high ESR can warrant further investigation, but the test itself cannot identify the underlying diagnosis.
Serial results may be particularly useful when monitoring an established inflammatory disorder.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private ESR testing in London - Access an individual inflammation marker privately.
Useful in rheumatology assessment - ESR can support investigation of inflammatory joint and connective-tissue conditions.
Useful for monitoring trends - Repeat results can contribute to assessment of changing inflammatory activity.
Relevant alongside CRP - The two tests provide complementary information.
Fast results - Expected turnaround is approximately 1 business day.
Trusted UK laboratories - Samples undergo professional haematology analysis.
Clinic and home collection options - Professional blood collection can be arranged.
Clear pricing - The ESR test costs £55.
Private Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private ESR blood testing in London for people requiring assessment or monitoring of systemic inflammation.
The test costs £55 and measures one biomarker: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
Results are expected approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
ESR is a non-specific marker and should be interpreted alongside symptoms and other blood results.