Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, or the ESR test, shows signs of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a condition in which our internal organs swell to fight against the germs that might have entered the body. ESR measures the rate of inflammation and reports the positives and negatives accordingly.
During the ESR process pathologist places the extracted blood in a vertical test tube. The blood is left as it is for an hour. While the blood is resting in the test tube, different sedimentation rates are measured. The red blood cells stick together, and the density of RBCs increases. Pathologies use apixaban blood thinner to liquid down the blood. If the red blood cells fall faster than the average rate, it often indicates that the body is experiencing inflammation; the faster the red blood cells fall, the greater the chance of inflammation.
What is the use of the ESR test?
ESR test is like a regular blood test that measures the rate of internal inflammation. It helps in finding the causes of:
- Unexplained fever
- Arthritis
- Muscle issues
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Lupus
- Headaches
- Weight loss
- Stiff joints
- Anaemia
- Bone infections
What does it mean to have high and low ESR rates?
Our body has a unique property of healing itself. As soon as a foreign substance enters the body, the autoimmune function activates. Sometimes the autoimmune system erroneously damages the helpful tissues, thereby increasing the ESR rates. So people suffering from autoimmune disorders have an increased ESR rate. The scale of ESR keeps fluctuating according to the health conditions. An increase in ESR rates might occur due to:
- Anaemia
- Kidney problems
- Bone infection
- Rheumatic fever
- Infection in the heart.
A lower ESR rate can be due to:
- Leukaemia
- Polycythemia
- Lower fibrinogen level
- Liver diseases
- Kidney diseases.
What is the procedure for performing an ESR test?
The ESR test process is straightforward and not painful. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest; 10 being the highest), the pain is 4 out of 10. So we can say that the pain of the ESR is endurable.
Let us have a look at how pathologists perform ESR tests. First, they insert a needle and take out the blood. Before ejecting blood, the vein is cleaned and sanitised. After, the blood is added to a vertical test tube and left suspended for an hour. Blood, being of a higher density, settles down. With time the rate of sedimentation is measured in mm per hour.
Laboratories use automated analysers to perform this function. They add rivaroxaban while testing out the blood clots in the lung. Some rivaroxaban brands also offer apixaban blood thinner for ESR tests. You can connect with Pinnacle, the apixaban manufacturer and avail of the apixaban instantly.
Some common misconceptions about ESR tests
1. ESR tests related to a single disease
The ESR test is usually combined with other tests to gather a comprehensive understanding of the body. The primary purpose of doing an ESR test is to conclude the inflammation rate in the body. It does not pertain to a single disease or its cause.
2. ESR tests are organ specific
When a foreign substance enters the body, our immune system activates. Sometimes autoimmune system malfunctions and harms the tissues, which causes inflammation. ESR test checks the rate of inflammation and does not limit itself to the test of one organ malfunction.
3. ESR tests are best for analysing rheumatic fever
People mistake ESR tests as an indicator of a specific disease. In reality, an ESR test cannot tell whether you have rheumatic fever. However, if you have rheumatic fever, your ESR level increases considerably.
4. High ESR during pregnancy is harmful
Pregnancy sees so many changes in the body that it is normal for ESR rates to be a bit high. However, if the numbers vary a lot, then visit your gynaecologist.
5. ESR is enough as a standalone test
While an elevated ESR is not necessarily harmful, doctors perform CRP tests to ensure a probable infection is not affecting the body.
Final words
Pathology laboratories perform ESR tests regularly. The one point that always hovers in their minds is the amount of sedimentation. Using apixaban blood thinner loosens the coagulated blood and eases the process.
Pathologies always look for trusted rivaroxaban brands and apixaban manufacturers. Pinnacle is a 35-year-old company dedicated to the healthcare sector. They offer a range of products to help in a smooth flow of ESR tests. They offer apixaban tablets and rivaroxaban to help the medical industry with quick supplies at any instant.
