Sed rate, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), is a blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in your body. A sed rate test isn't a stand-alone diagnostic tool, but it can help your doctor diagnose or monitor the progress of an inflammation. Sed rate, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), is a blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in your body. A sed rate test isn't a stand-alone diagnostic tool, but it can help your doctor diagnose or monitor the progress of inflammation in your body.
To detect the presence of inflammation caused by one or more conditions such as infections, tumors or autoimmune diseases and to diagnose and monitor certain conditions.
Testing should be done if your doctor believes you have a condition that can cause inflammation, and if you are experiencing symptoms indicating temporal arteritis, systemic vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, or rheumatoid arthritis. These symptoms include headaches, neck or shoulder pain, pelvic pain, anemia, poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, and joint stiffness.
Note: The medical information provided here in this website is for informational purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
