ESR measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube over one hour. A high ESR can indicate inflammation and is used to detect conditions such as arthritis. Other factors can influence ESR, so it is not a diagnostic test by itself and is used in conjunction with other tests.
An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) refers to the fact that erythrocytes, or red blood cells, fall more rapidly when blood is placed in a tube. ESR is a blood or hematology test that measures the rate at which red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube over a one-hour period. A higher-than-normal ESR can indicate inflammation in the body, and the test is done, in conjunction with other diagnostic tests, to detect some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.
Blood is composed of plasma and various red blood cells: erythrocytes or red blood cells, leukocytes or white blood cells, and thrombocytes or platelets, each of which play vital roles in the functioning of the body. Red blood cells are relatively heavy so when a blood sample is placed in a test tube, they tend to slowly sink to the bottom. In the case of a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, this sedimentation rate is faster than expected.
The reason for a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate is that, when there is inflammation, the body produces specific proteins that cause the red blood cells, the erythrocytes, to aggregate, making them heavier and making them sink to the bottom of the test tube faster. No preparation is needed when your doctor orders an ESR and it is a simple blood test. Because of its nonspecificity, other tests are also usually needed for a definitive diagnosis.
While an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate does not necessarily have effects in itself, it may indicate an underlying disorder such as polymyalgia rheumatica, temporal arteritis, or multiple myeloma. ESR can also be used to monitor the response of some of these inflammatory conditions to treatment, so it can be repeated regularly during that treatment. The measurement is done in millimeters per hour (mm/hour) and should be slightly different for men and women.
A number of other factors may influence the ESR, which will be taken into consideration by the haematologist and diagnostician. These include pregnancy, anemia, age, use of certain medications, and infection. It is also for this reason that the ESR is not considered a diagnostic test by itself and the diagnosis is made using the ESR in conjunction with the comprehensive examination and other diagnostic tests. These may include a complete blood count and a measurement of C-reactive protein, which is another indicator of inflammation.
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