Order ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) Blood Test from JustLabs for $7. Price includes lab processing at Quest Diagnostics. A one-time $18 collection fee applies per order. No insurance required.

ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) Blood Test

ESR

The ESR test, also called sed rate, is a simple blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube, indicating the level of inflammation in your body.

The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is one of the oldest and most reliable tests for detecting inflammation in the body. When inflammation is present, certain proteins in the blood cause red blood cells to clump together and fall faster than normal.

While ESR doesn't identify what's causing inflammation or where it's located, it's an excellent screening tool that can prompt further investigation. It's particularly useful for monitoring inflammatory conditions over time and assessing response to treatment.

ESR is often ordered alongside other inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) to get a more complete picture of inflammation. While CRP responds quickly to inflammation changes, ESR changes more gradually, making it useful for tracking chronic conditions.

Price

$7

Results

1 business days

Lab Network

Quest

Fasting

Not Required

What's Measured

ESR

What This Test Measures

This test measures how fast red blood cells settle in a vertical tube over one hour, reported in millimeters per hour (mm/hr). Higher rates indicate more inflammation. Normal ranges vary by age and sex: men under 50 typically have ESR below 15 mm/hr, women under 50 below 20 mm/hr, with higher values normal for older adults.

Who Should Consider This Test

Anyone with unexplained symptoms like fever, joint pain, or fatigue. People being evaluated for autoimmune conditions, infections, or cancer. Patients with known inflammatory conditions monitoring disease activity. Those with temporal arteritis or polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms.

Health Insights

Conditions Screened

Rheumatoid arthritisLupusTemporal arteritisPolymyalgia rheumaticaInflammatory bowel diseaseInfectionsCertain cancersKidney disease

Related Symptoms

Unexplained feverJoint pain or stiffnessMuscle achesHeadaches (especially temporal)Unexplained weight lossFatigueNight sweatsAnemia symptoms

When to Get Tested

No fasting required. Blood can be drawn at any time. For monitoring chronic conditions, test at consistent intervals recommended by your healthcare provider.

Understanding Your Results

Results show the rate in mm/hr. Normal values depend on age and sex. Mildly elevated (20-40 mm/hr) may indicate minor inflammation or normal aging. Moderately elevated (40-100 mm/hr) suggests significant inflammation. Very high (>100 mm/hr) often indicates serious infection, autoimmune disease, or malignancy requiring further evaluation.

What to Expect

After placing your order, you'll receive an email from Rupa Health (our lab order partner) within 24 business hours to sign a consent form and schedule your blood draw at a Quest Diagnostics location.

The blood draw typically takes just a few minutes. Results are usually available within 1 business days and will appear in your secure Justlabs dashboard.

Our results include reference ranges and easy-to-understand indicators showing whether your values are within normal limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

$7

Typical hospital cash price: $100–$180

+ $28 in standard lab & physician fees at checkout (no additional bills later)

$18 lab collection + $10 physician order

Results in 1 business days

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