The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also known as the sed rate, is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube. This test indirectly measures the level of certain proteins in the blood and can show if there is inflammation in the body. A faster ESR rate indicates higher levels of inflammation, which can be caused by various conditions such as arthritis, vasculitis, infection, and inflammatory bowel disease. It can also be used to monitor existing conditions such as temporal arteritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, its important to note that an abnormal ESR result does not prove the presence of a specific condition, and other tests are usually needed for diagnosis. The normal values for ESR are 0 to 15 mm/hr in men and 0 to 20 mm/hr in women.
In conclusion, the ESR test is a valuable tool in diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory conditions, but it is not specific to any single disease and should be used in combination with other tests for accurate diagnosis.
