No, ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) is not part of a CBC (Complete Blood Count). While both are blood tests often ordered together, they provide different information.
Understanding CBC and ESR
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CBC (Complete Blood Count): This comprehensive blood test analyzes various components of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. It helps assess overall blood health, identify infections, anemia, and other blood disorders. See Stanford Health Care's explanation of a CBC.
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ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate): This test measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. A faster sedimentation rate often indicates inflammation in the body. Learn more about ESR testing from MedlinePlus. Mayo Clinic also provides information on the sed rate.
Although sometimes ordered together as part of a larger panel (like a "hemogram" test, which combines CBC and ESR, as indicated in the provided reference), they are distinct tests measuring different aspects of health. For example, Aster Labs offers hemogram tests that include both CBC and ESR. Many automated hematology analyzers can now perform both CBC and ESR tests, like the Nihon Kohden MEK-1305 and the Horiba Yumizen H550/H500. However, this does not mean that ESR is inherently part of the CBC itself. Both tests can be ordered separately. As noted by MedCentral, both tests can be part of a complete blood count or ordered separately.
