A high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) indicates that there may be an active disease process in the body. ESR is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube. If there is inflammation or cell damage in the body, red blood cells tend to clump together, making them heavier and causing them to settle faster. A high ESR rate means higher levels of inflammation, but it cannot diagnose what condition is causing the inflammation. Other tests are almost always needed to determine the underlying cause of the high ESR rate. Some possible reasons for a high ESR rate include:
- Infections, such as bodywide (systemic) infection, bone infections, infection of the heart or heart valves, rheumatic fever, and severe skin infections
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis
- Cancer, such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications, such as oral contraceptives
It is important to note that a high ESR rate does not prove that a person has a certain condition, and other tests are usually needed to make a diagnosis. If a person has a high ESR rate, they should discuss the possibility of these factors contributing to their elevated ESR levels with their healthcare provider and undergo further testing if necessary.
