SED Rate

  Reference Range
ESR Males: 0-15 mm/hr Females: 0-20 mm/hr
ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) measures the rate of fall of red blood cells when whole blood is placed into a tall, thin tube. Normally, red cells fall slowly, leaving little clear plasma. Certain disorders, such as inflammation, cancers, infections, and autoimmune diseases, can cause the red blood cells to fall more rapidly, increasing the ESR result. The ESR is a nonspecific test and is used in conjunction with other test results.