What the Complete Hemogram (CBC with ESR) measures
A complete hemogram is a complete blood count with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) added, reported from a single blood draw. The blood count part describes the three cell lines: haemoglobin and the red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) show whether you are anaemic and often hint at why; the white cell count and differential show how the immune system is responding; and the platelet count covers the cells responsible for clotting. The ESR measures how quickly red cells settle in a tube over an hour, which speeds up when inflammatory proteins are present in the blood. ESR does not say where inflammation is or what is causing it, but read together with the count it gives a doctor a broad first look at anaemia, infection and inflammation. That is why the hemogram is the blood test included in most health checkup packages, and a common first test for fever, tiredness or unexplained weight loss. The report also lists the Mentzer index, a ratio sometimes used to suggest whether small red cells are more likely due to iron deficiency or thalassaemia trait. It is a pointer towards further testing, not a diagnosis.
Price: the Complete Hemogram (CBC with ESR) costs ₹336 at Pure Bliss (MRP ₹420), with the sample collected at our Action Area 2, New Town centre or at your home.
Who this test is for
- Fever, tiredness, weakness or pallor
- A suspected infection, or joint pain where an inflammatory cause is being considered
- Routine health checks, where it is part of most packages
- Follow-up of known anaemia or a previously raised ESR
How to prepare, the sample, and when to expect the report
Preparation
No fasting is needed and the sample can be given at any time of day. If it is booked together with a lipid profile or fasting sugar, follow the fasting instructions for those tests.
Sample
Blood, from a vein in the arm (whole blood in an EDTA tube).
Reporting time
Reported the same day if the sample is given before noon, else by the next day.
Reading the result
ESR normally runs somewhat higher in women, in older adults and during pregnancy, and your doctor takes this into account when reading it. Reference ranges differ between laboratories, so your report lists the laboratory’s own range beside each value. A result outside the range does not always mean illness; ask your doctor to explain it.
- Centre or home collection
- NABL-accredited Redcliffe Labs collection centre
- How collection works →