Private ESR Test (Sed Rate) Test in the City of London

Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection, injury, or disease. Measuring inflammatory markers in the blood can help detect the presence and severity of inflammation, even when there are no obvious outward signs.

CRP (C-reactive protein) and ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) are the most commonly used blood markers for inflammation. They are non-specific tests, meaning they indicate inflammation is present but do not identify the cause.

What the ESR Measures

• CRP (C-reactive protein) — a protein produced by the liver that rises in response to inflammation
• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) — measures how quickly red blood cells settle, which increases with inflammation

When This Test May Be Helpful

• Investigating unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, or fever
• Monitoring the activity of an inflammatory or autoimmune condition
• Assessing response to treatment for an inflammatory condition
• Routine health screening to check for underlying inflammation
• Investigating potential infections

Understanding Your Results

Results are typically available within 1 day" and are delivered securely.

CRP levels below 5 mg/L are generally considered normal. Elevated CRP indicates inflammation but does not identify the cause. Very high CRP levels (above 100 mg/L) are more commonly associated with bacterial infections.

If your inflammatory markers are elevated, we recommend discussing the results with your GP, who can consider them alongside your symptoms and medical history to determine whether further investigation is needed.