Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test
About Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Hemogram, Complete Hemogram, CBC+ESR, Complete Blood Count with ESR, Blood Hemogram, Full Blood Count with ESR |
| Sample Type | Venous blood (drawn from a vein in the arm) |
| Fasting Required | Not required for this test alone; an 8- to 12-hour overnight fast may be preferred if additional tests are ordered alongside |
| Report Time | Same day to within 24 hours |
| Recommended For | All ages, both males and females |
| Price | Starting at ₹300 |
What Is a Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test?
The Hemogram test is a blood test that measures the different types of cells in your blood, along with an inflammation marker called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
It is also called a complete blood count with ESR or a hemogram with ESR. Doctors prescribe it to get a broad picture of your overall health. A small sample of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm, usually at the elbow.
What Does a Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test Measure?
The CBC with ESR test looks at three main groups of blood components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, along with the ESR. Here is what each parameter tells your doctor:
| Parameter | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (Hb) | The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells |
| Red Blood Cell Count (RBC) | Number of red cells per unit volume of blood |
| Hematocrit (Hct / PCV) | Percentage of blood volume made up of red cells |
| Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) | Average size of red blood cells; helps classify anaemia type |
| Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) | Average amount of hemoglobin in each red cell |
| Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) | Concentration of hemoglobin within each red cell |
| Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) | Degree of variation in red blood cell size |
| White Blood Cell Count (WBC) | Total count of infection-fighting white cells |
| White Cell Differential | Individual counts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils |
| Platelet Count | Number of clot-forming cells in the blood |
| Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) | Rate at which red cells settle in a tube; rises in inflammation |
Why Is a Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test Done?
A CBC ESR test is one of the most commonly requested tests in routine medical practice. It helps doctors screen for a wide range of conditions and track how the body is responding to illness or treatment.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Your doctor may recommend a hemogram test if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent fatigue or unexplained weakness
- Unexplained fever lasting more than a few days
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Frequent infections or slow recovery from illness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Easy bruising or unusual bleeding
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The complete blood count with ESR can help identify several conditions, including:
- Anaemia caused by iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, or blood loss
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Allergic conditions and immune system disorders
- Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, vasculitis, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma
- Clotting disorders and bleeding tendencies
- Bone marrow disorders
- Autoimmune conditions monitored through ESR trends
Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test During Pregnancy
The hemogram test is a standard part of prenatal care. It is used to screen for thalassaemia and other hemoglobinopathies by assessing red cell indices from a maternal blood sample.
Blood counts change naturally across trimesters: hemoglobin, RBC, and hematocrit tend to fall during the first and second trimesters before rising again in the third. ESR also rises naturally during pregnancy, so doctors interpret results alongside the stage of pregnancy.
Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For patients managing long-term conditions, the CBC with ESR test is an important monitoring tool. ESR trends can reflect whether inflammation is increasing or reducing, making it useful in tracking autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The full blood count is also used to monitor bone marrow function in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and to track kidney function-related anaemia in chronic kidney disease.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing for a hemogram test is straightforward. Here is everything you need to know before your sample is collected.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is needed if you are getting only the CBC with ESR test. You can eat and drink normally before your appointment. If your doctor has ordered additional tests alongside this one, an 8- to 12-hour overnight fast may be preferred. Check with your doctor or lab when booking.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A little preparation ensures smooth sample collection and accurate results:
- Drink plenty of water before your appointment; good hydration makes veins easier to locate
- Tell the phlebotomist about any medications or supplements you are taking, as some can affect results
- Wear a top with loose or short sleeves for easy access to your arm
- Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before the test
- Let the phlebotomist know if you have felt faint during blood draws in the past
Step-by-Step Procedure
The blood collection process is quick and simple. Here is what happens during a typical visit:
- You sit comfortably and rest your arm on a flat surface.
- The phlebotomist cleans the skin at the bend of your elbow with an antiseptic swab.
- A soft elastic band is tied above the site to make your vein more visible.
- A small needle is inserted into the vein, and blood is drawn into two collection tubes: an EDTA tube for the CBC and a citrate tube for ESR.
- The band is removed, and a small cotton swab is pressed over the puncture site.
- The samples are labelled and dispatched to the laboratory. You can resume normal activities right away.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence your results. Be sure to mention any of the following to your doctor:
- Pregnancy or current menstrual period
- Dehydration (can falsely raise hemoglobin and hematocrit readings)
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Medications such as aspirin, steroids, or oral contraceptives
- Recent strenuous physical activity
- Delays in sample handling after collection
- Obesity or significantly older age
Understanding Your Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed together with your doctor, who will consider your age, symptoms, and medical history before drawing any conclusions.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin | 13.8 to 17.2 (male); 12.1 to 15.1 (female) | g/dL |
| RBC Count | 4.2 to 6.1 | million/µL |
| Hematocrit | 40.7% to 50.3 (male)36.1% to 44.3 (female) | % |
| MCV | 80 to 95 | fL |
| MCH | 27 to 31 | pg |
| MCHC | 32 to 36 | g/dL |
| RDW | 11.5 to 14.5 | % |
| WBC Count | 4,500 to 11,000 | cells/µL |
| Platelet Count | 150,000 to 450,000 | /µL |
| ESR (Men under 50) | Less than 15 | mm/hr |
| ESR (Women under 50) | Less than 20 | mm/hr |
| ESR (Men over 50) | Less than 20 to 25 | mm/hr |
| ESR (Women over 50) | Less than 30 | mm/hr |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain conditions naturally shift values away from standard reference ranges. Pregnancy raises ESR and alters red cell counts across trimesters, so doctors use pregnancy-specific reference values. Conditions that increase blood thickness, such as polycythaemia and sickle cell anaemia, can lower ESR, while anaemia tends to raise it. Dehydration may falsely elevate hemoglobin and hematocrit, whereas overhydration can reduce them.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
General lifestyle habits support healthy blood counts over time:
- Eat a varied diet that includes iron-rich foods (such as leafy greens and legumes), vitamin B12 sources (such as dairy, eggs, and fish), and folate-rich foods (such as pulses and fortified grains)
- Stay well hydrated throughout the day
- Engage in regular, moderate physical activity to support healthy blood cell production and circulation
Lupin Diagnostics Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test Price and Home Collection
The hemogram test price at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹300, with home sample collection available across cities. The table below shows approximate prices in major cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹300 |
| Bangalore | ₹400 |
| Hyderabad | ₹400 |
| Chennai | ₹350 |
| Kolkata | ₹400 |
| Pune | ₹400 |
| Bhopal | ₹250 |
| Indore | ₹350 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Booking your CBC with ESR test through Lupin Diagnostics takes just a few steps. If you are searching for a CBC with ESR test near me, you can easily book it online:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred time slot
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for the hemogram test across multiple cities, so you can have your sample collected without visiting a centre. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced technologists. Your digital report is delivered via email or WhatsApp, usually within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard CBC covers blood cell counts and related indices. A hemogram test typically includes all CBC parameters plus the ESR, adding an inflammation marker to the picture. The CBC with ESR test therefore gives your doctor more information in a single test.
No fasting is needed if the hemogram test is the only test being done. You can eat and drink normally beforehand. If your doctor has combined this with other tests, they may advise an overnight fast; confirm this when you receive your prescription.
Results from the CBC ESR test are generally available within 24 hours. At many laboratories, including Lupin Diagnostics, reports are often ready on the same day.
The complete blood count with ESR can pick up blood cell abnormalities that may point towards blood cancers such as leukaemia. However, abnormal results alone are not sufficient to diagnose cancer. Further targeted investigations are always needed to confirm any such finding.
A mildly raised ESR does not always mean something is seriously wrong. Factors such as pregnancy, menstruation, older age, and minor laboratory variability can all cause slight elevations. Your doctor will consider your ESR result alongside your symptoms, medical history, and other test values before deciding on next steps.
Yes. The hemogram with ESR is a safe, routine blood test widely used throughout pregnancy. It helps monitor maternal anaemia, screens for hemoglobinopathies, and tracks changes in blood counts across trimesters.
For general health screening, once a year is usually adequate for most adults. If you are managing a chronic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or kidney disease or are undergoing chemotherapy, your doctor may recommend the CBC ESR test more frequently, sometimes monthly or quarterly.
Hemogram (CBC with ESR) Test
