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Choose collection locationHaematology · Individual laboratory test
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
ESR measures how quickly red cells settle under defined laboratory conditions. It is an indirect indicator of inflammation.
Price for this test on its ownAED 125Test price AED 25
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Whole Blood (EDTA)
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test measures.
Also called Inflammation Marker (ESR)
ESR may support investigation or monitoring of certain inflammatory conditions. A previous result and a record of symptoms can be particularly helpful in follow-up.
When it may be requested
Looking for an inflammatory pattern
ESR reflects how quickly red cells settle under standardised conditions.
Following an established condition
The trend may help a clinician assess change alongside symptoms and other tests.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenWhole Blood (EDTA)
Your checklist
ESR alone requires no fast. Mention recent infection, pregnancy or anaemia and provide previous ESR or CRP results if this is a follow-up.
The clinician takes blood from a vein into a tube that keeps it from clotting. The collection team sends the labelled specimen to the laboratory.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Reading your result
A raised ESR has many possible explanations. Age, anaemia and factors other than active inflammation can change it.
What can affect it
- Age, anaemia and pregnancy can influence ESR independently of inflammation.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- Specimen
- Whole Blood (EDTA)
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
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Discuss the next step
Describe how symptoms changed over the same period as the ESR rather than comparing isolated results without dates.
Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Is ESR interchangeable with CRP?
Both can reflect inflammation, but their timings and the factors influencing them differ. A clinician may use either or both depending on the question.
What does a high ESR mean?
A high ESR means an inflammatory process is likely somewhere in the body, but not where or why. Common causes are infection, including long-standing ones such as tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, temporal arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica, some cancers and chronic kidney disease. Your doctor uses symptoms, examination and further tests such as CRP to find the source.
What does a low ESR mean?
A low ESR carries little clinical meaning on its own and does not usually need explaining. Where it does matter, it reflects something slowing the settling of red cells: a high red cell count as in polycythaemia, abnormally shaped cells such as sickle cells or spherocytes, very high white cell counts, or low fibrinogen in advanced liver disease.
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Your next step
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.