Test guide
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Erythrocytes are red blood cells. The sedimentation rate is the time it takes for your red blood cells to settle at the bottom of a test tube. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can show if you have inflammation in your body. Inflammation is your immune system's response to injury, infection, and many other conditions, including immune system disorders , certain cancers , and blood disorders .
What it is for
An ESR test can be used with other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions that cause inflammation. Many conditions cause inflammation, including arthritis , vasculitis , infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases ( ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease ). An ESR may also be used to monitor an existing condition. Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Medical test information is public domain. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-18. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.
Limitations
Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.
Also known as
- ESR, SED rate sedimentation rate
- Westergren sedimentation rate
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