Sedimentation Rate-Westergren (ESR)

Overview:

When inflammation is present, proteins in the blood cause red cells to stick together and settle faster. The sedimentation rate measures that settling over an hour. It is a general marker: it indicates that inflammation is present without showing where or why. Compared with CRP, it rises and falls more slowly, which makes it better suited to following conditions over weeks than to tracking a rapidly changing illness. It has particular established roles in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. Age, sex, anemia and pregnancy all affect the result, so interpretation accounts for them.

Categories:

Inflammation, General Health & Wellness

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker