Refresher Course: ESR (sed rate)

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The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR, Sed Rate) is a blood test that

measures how quickly red blood cells settle out of a blood sample.

Inflammation or breakdown of tissue causes red blood cells to clump

together, which makes them heavier so they settle to the bottom of the

blood sample faster. This settling is called the sedimentation rate or

sed rate.

The more inflammation in the body, the more the red blood cells will

clump together, the faster they will settle, and the higher the sed

rate. The ESR means there is inflammation in the body, but it doesn't

show where or why.

The test does not diagnose lupus or any other condition. It is just a

screening test to evaluate if Lupus is active. If a person has lupus, a

high sed rate suggests that the disease is currently active.

Sed rate may be normal or high in lupus.

A high sed rate can be present with any process that causes

inflammation, such as infection. Many conditions that cause inflammation

can cause an elevated sed rate, including infection, pregnancy,

arthritis, or other rheumatic diseases.

So in short, if you have Lupus .. if your sed rate is high, then your

Lupus is active.