---
title: Sed Rate (ESR) Test
type: test
id: sed-rate-esr
url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/sed-rate-esr"
price_usd: 24.99
lab_fee_usd: 6
all_in_usd: 30.99
cpt: 85652
category: Inflammation & Autoimmune
sample: Blood draw
fasting_required: false
results_in: "1–2 business days"
labs:
  - Quest
  - Labcorp
orderable: true
reviewed_at: 2026-09-14
order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=sed-rate-esr&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown"
---

# Sed Rate (ESR) Test

> A general inflammation marker that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $24.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 1–2 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Price | $24.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($30.99 all-in for this test alone) |
| CPT code | 85652 |
| Sample | Blood draw |
| Fasting | Not required |
| Results | 1–2 business days |
| Labs | Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp |
| Biomarkers measured | 1 |
| Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed |
| Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) |

## What does the Sed Rate (ESR) test tell you?

A general inflammation marker that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube.

The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is one of the oldest and simplest tests for detecting inflammation in the body. A high ESR indicates inflammation but doesn't pinpoint the cause — it's used alongside other tests to help diagnose conditions like infections, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

**Clinical use:** Inflammation and autoimmune biomarkers help identify systemic inflammation, suspected autoimmune disease, and disease activity in known autoimmune conditions.

## Who should order it?

Anyone with unexplained joint pain, rashes, fatigue, or recurrent fevers; patients with known autoimmune disease monitoring flares; or individuals with strong family history of autoimmune conditions.

## Biomarkers measured

- [ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/esr)

## Price by lab

| Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Quest Diagnostics | $24.99 | $30.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) |
| Labcorp | $24.99 | $30.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) |

Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added.

## How much does a Sed Rate (ESR) test cost?

A Sed Rate (ESR) test costs $24.99 at TestWell — $30.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $60.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.

| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $24.99 | $30.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $60.00 | $60.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |

Lab test codes: Quest test code 809 · Labcorp test no. 005215.

## How do you prepare?

No fasting required. No special preparation needed.

## Related conditions

- Autoimmune disease (M35.9)
- Systemic inflammation (R79.89)


## Common questions about the Sed Rate (ESR) test

### How long do Sed Rate (ESR) results take?

Most Sed Rate (ESR) results are available in 1–2 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.

### What sample is collected for the Sed Rate (ESR)?

Blood draw. Sample is collected at a Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference patient service center near you, or via at-home phlebotomy where available.

### How much does the Sed Rate (ESR) cost without insurance?

On TestWell, the Sed Rate (ESR) is $24.99. Quest Direct lists comparable tests at $28. Walk-in hospital labs typically bill $60 or more without insurance. Insurance is not required — pay one all-in price.

### Do I need to fast before the Sed Rate (ESR)?

No fasting required for the Sed Rate (ESR). No fasting required. No special preparation needed.

### Where can I get the Sed Rate (ESR) done?

The Sed Rate (ESR) is available at Quest and Labcorp patient service centers nationwide. Order online at TestWell, pick your preferred lab, and we'll generate a digital requisition for the location closest to you.

## How to order

1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=sed-rate-esr&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown
2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA.
3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email.
4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites.
5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 1–2 business days with reference ranges and flags.

## Related

- [Autoimmune Advanced Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/autoimmune-advanced-panel) — 11 tests · $159.99
- [Celiac Disease Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/celiac-disease-comprehensive) — $124.99
- [Rheumatoid Arthritis Antibody Test (Anti-CCP)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/anti-ccp-antibody) — $32.99
- [All Inflammation & Autoimmune tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/inflammation-autoimmune)
- [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/sed-rate-esr
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.