Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is a commonly performed laboratory test that can provide indirect evidence of inflammation in the body. While not definitive for any particular condition, an elevated ESR can signal underlying issues that may require further investigation.
.jpg)
Overview[edit | edit source]
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test measures the rate at which red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle at the bottom of a vertical tube over a period of one hour. The result is typically expressed in millimeters per hour (mm/hr). A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body.[1]
Indications and Limitations[edit | edit source]
The ESR test is nonspecific, meaning it doesn't pinpoint the cause of inflammation or confirm a particular diagnosis. Instead, it serves as a general marker of underlying disease, particularly when combined with other medical information. ESR is often used in diagnosing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, temporal arteritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, and it can also be used to monitor disease activity and response to therapy in these conditions.
However, several factors such as age, pregnancy, anemia, and kidney disease can affect ESR levels, making it an imperfect measure.[2]
Procedure[edit | edit source]
Blood is typically collected from a vein in the arm using standard blood-draw procedures. The blood is then transferred into a vertical tube and left undisturbed for an hour. The distance that the red blood cells fall (sediment) from the top of the tube after one hour is measured and recorded as the ESR.[3]
Interpretation[edit | edit source]
Normal values for ESR vary by age and sex. For men, a normal ESR is usually less than 22 mm/hr, while for women it's less than 29 mm/hr. Elevated levels can indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body, while lower levels, though less common, can occur in conditions like polycythemia, extreme leukocytosis, and protein abnormalities.[4]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)". 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ↑ "Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)". 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ↑ "Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)". 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ↑ "Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)". 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
