What it is
ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube and can signal inflammation.[1]
Why it matters
It can be used with other tests when clinicians evaluate infection or inflammatory disease.[1,2]
What it affects
- A faster sedimentation rate can be seen with many inflammatory conditions, infections, cancers, and other contexts.[1]
Interpretation traps
- ESR alone cannot diagnose the cause of inflammation; age, sex, pregnancy, anemia, medicines, and other factors can affect it.[1]