erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) A type of blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube containing a blood sample. Usually, red blood cells settle relatively slowly. A faster than normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body, according to a Mayo Clinic report.
According to the report, inflammation is part of the immune response system. It can be a reaction to an infection or injury. Inflammation may also be a sign of a chronic disease, immune disorder, or other medical condition..
Testing can help ESR In determining whether you have a condition that causes inflammation and these include arthritis, vasculitis, or inflammatory bowel disease, . may also be used ESR To monitor an existing condition.
Why do I need an ESR?
Your health care provider may ask ESR If you have symptoms of an inflammatory disorder, these include:
- headache
- Fever
- Weight loss
- joint stiffness
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Anorexia
- Anemia
What happens during an ESR?
The health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected in a test tube. You may feel a small stinging when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes..
Will I need to do anything to prepare for ESR?
You do not need any special preparation for this test.
What do these results mean?
if it was ESR If you have it elevated, it may be related to an inflammatory condition, such as:
- infection
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- rheumatic fever
- Vascular diseases
- inflammatory bowel disease
- heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Certain types of cancer
Sometimes it can be ESR slower than normal may indicate ESR slow to blood disorder, such as:
- Too many red cells
- Sickle cell anemia
- Abnormal increase in white blood cells
If your results are not in the normal range, it does not necessarily mean that you have a medical condition that requires treatment, it may indicate ESR Moderate to pregnancy, menstruation, or anemia, not an inflammatory disease. Certain medications and supplements can also affect your results. These medications include oral contraceptives, aspirin, cortisone, and vitamin A. Make sure you tell your healthcare provider about any medications or supplements you are taking.
does not ESR It can diagnose any diseases specifically, but it can provide information about whether or not there is inflammation in your body, if results of ESR If your condition is abnormal, your health care provider will need more information and will likely order more lab tests before a diagnosis can be made..