Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a blood test that helps detect inflammation in the body. It measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle at the bottom of a test tube over one hour. A higher rate often indicates inflammation, infection, or other medical conditions. Tap to read!
Normal range
The normal ESR range changes by age and sex. In men, it is from 0 to 15 mm/hr. And for females, 0 to 20 mm/hr. Anything above this range might suggest an inflammatory process or a disease.
Inflammation
ESR is a nonspecific marker for inflammation. Hence, an ESR does not directly diagnose a condition or disease but merely indicates if there is any inflammation in the body.
Diagnosis
ESR, together with other tests, assists doctors in the diagnosis of arthritis, infection, autoimmune diseases, and certain types of cancers.
Monitoring Treatment
ESR is monitored for disease activity and response to treatment in chronic inflammatory disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Important Considerations
Age, pregnancy, anaemia, and infections influence ESR. Thus, one must interpret ESR in conjunction with other medical findings.
Information credits
This information is sourced from the Cleveland Clinic. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor for an accurate interpretation of test results.