The ESR Blood Test – How it Helps with Diagnosing Many Diseases
An Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) blood test (also known as Westergreen Sedimentation Rate) is an important medical screening performed to detect inflammation in the body caused due to many reasons like infection, autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and the Kawasaki disease and also certain types of cancers. This test gives a measurement of the speed at which the red blood cells fall to the bottom of an erect glass tube. Abnormal proteins that may be present in the blood due to various reasons can cause the red blood cells to cluster together and sink down rather quickly. While it is important to know what ESR blood test is, it is also crucial to understand that this test alone is not sufficient to diagnose and conclude a disease.
The ESR blood test needs no specific preparation and requires a technician to draw the blood sample from a vein of the patient and collect the same in a syringe or vial. The whole procedure takes a few minutes and the test results can be made available the ensuing day. If the results show inflammation, the patient’s health professional may ask him/her to undergo further tests to conclude the specific cause for inflammation.
Getting an ESR blood test done is easy nowadays and all one has to do is place an online lab test order and get it done at any local patient service center which is part of a reputed online health lab company. Clients can stay assured that the results of any test conducted by such online health labs are kept confidential and are also HIPAA compliant. Ordering and getting an ESR blood test this way is easier as it is not only cost effective but also the results of the test can be downloaded conveniently from the comforts of the client’s home.
In addition to the ESR blood test, the health lab companies also offer other online lab tests like the Comprehensive Health Profile, Thyroid Panel, PSA and the Cardio C Reactive Protein test. Corporate Companies can take advantage of the Online Corporate Health Promotion Services for their employees which is made available throughout the US.