ESR

A blood sample is needed. Most of the time, blood is drawn from a vein located on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The blood sample is sent to a lab. The test measures how fast red blood cells (called erythrocytes) fall to the bottom of a tall, thin tube.

There are no special steps needed to prepare for this test.

You may feel slight pain or a sting when the needle is inserted. You may also feel some throbbing at the site after the blood is drawn.

Reasons why a "sed rate" may be done include: Unexplained fevers Certain types of joint pain or arthritis Muscle symptoms Headache Other vague symptoms that cannot be explained This test may also be used to monitor whether an illness is responding to treatment. This test can be used to monitor inflammatory diseases or…

For adults (Westergren method): Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr For children (Westergren method): Newborn: 0 to 2 mm/hr Newborn to puberty: 3 to 13 mm/hr Note: mm/hr =…

An abnormal ESR may help with a diagnosis, but it does not prove that you have a certain condition. Other tests are almost always needed. An increased ESR rate may occur in people with: Anemia Cancers such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma Kidney disease Pregnancy Thyroid disease The immune system helps protect the body…

Deane KD, Pisetsky DS. Laboratory testing in the rheumatic diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 237. Vajpayee N, Graham SS, Bem S. Basic examination of blood and bone marrow. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and…