An ESR test, also known as a sed rate, is a blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube within one hour. This test indirectly indicates the level of certain proteins in your blood. When inflammation or infection is present, your body produces more proteins that cause red blood cells to clump together and settle faster.
Here's what you need to know about ESR tests:
- What it measures: The rate at which red blood cells settle in a test tube.
- Why it's done: To detect inflammation in the body.
- Common reasons for elevated ESR:
- Infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Tissue injury
- Certain cancers
- Pregnancy
Note: An ESR test is not a specific diagnostic tool. A high ESR level does not definitively confirm a particular disease. Your doctor will consider the results along with other clinical findings and medical history for diagnosis.
