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he erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also called a sedimentation rate or Biernacki Reaction, is the rate at which red blood cells precipitate over a period of anhour. It is a test which is a measurement of inflammation. To perform the test, anti coagulated blood is placed in an upright tube, known as a Westergren tube, and the rate at which the red blood cells fall is measured and reported in mm/h. If you have a low rate in indicates that you have little or no inflammation in your body. A sed rate is non specific therefore it will not point to any particular condition.
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What does high sedimentation rate mean?
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate) blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube in one hour. The more red cells that settle to the bottom of the test tube within the hour, the higher the sed rate. The sedimentation rate indicates that there is inflammation somewhere in the system.
Can subject with rheumatoid arthritis have a low westergren sed rate?
Yes, but not while the disease is active.Elevated results can indicate anemia, kidney disease, osteomyelitis, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, syphilis, systemic lupus, thyroid disease or other inflammatory disorders.A person who has RA does not necessarily have inflammation at all times. This can mean that while there is no inflammation, the sedimentation rate could be low.
What causes the sediment rate to go up in persons?
In general, the sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ) is a measure of inflammation present.
Should you fast before a sed rate test?
No. it is not necessary to fast before an ESR (erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) test
Is 36 a high sed rate on a blood test?
The normal sedimentation rate (Westergren method) for males is 0-15 millimeters per hour, and for females is 0-20 millimeters per hour. The sedimentation rate can be slightly more elevated in the elderly and is much lower for children. So if you are either a man or a woman the sed rate is higher then it should be, indicating that there is some sort of inflammation or infection present somewhere in the body. Sed rate will indicate that there is a problem, however further diagnosis is required to ascertain what the source of the problem may be.
