Personal
Professional
Research
Personal Professional Research Sign Up Login Pro Login
Research Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Immune System Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Other names: SED RATE BY MODIFIED WESTERGREN, ESR (Sed-Rate), Sedimentation Rate-Westergren

Optimal Result: 0 - 40 mm/hr.

What Is the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test?

The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)—sometimes called the "sed rate"—is a simple, cost-effective blood test used to help detect inflammation in the body. While the ESR test is non-specific (meaning it cannot pinpoint the exact cause of inflammation), it serves as a valuable screening tool for a variety of conditions, including:

  • Infections

  • Autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus)

  • Certain cancers

  • Chronic inflammatory disorders

How Does the ESR Test Work?

The test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle at the bottom of a specially marked test tube over a set period, usually one hour. The most widely used method is the Westergren method, considered the gold standard for ESR measurement. When inflammation is present, certain proteins in the blood cause red cells to clump together and settle more rapidly—resulting in a higher ESR value.

What Does an Abnormal ESR Result Mean?

An ESR result outside the normal range may indicate inflammation somewhere in the body, but it does not confirm a specific diagnosis. Healthcare providers interpret ESR results alongside other lab tests, your physical exam, and medical history to narrow down possible causes.

A High ESR May Suggest:

  • Inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis)

  • Chronic infections (such as tuberculosis)

  • Autoimmune diseases

  • Some cancers (including lymphoma or multiple myeloma)

A Moderately Elevated ESR May Also Occur With:

  • Pregnancy

  • Menstruation

  • Anemia

These non-disease states can lead to mildly elevated ESR levels and are not necessarily a sign of illness.

Factors That Can Affect ESR Results

Several non-inflammatory factors can influence your ESR level, including:

  • Age: ESR tends to increase with age.

  • Sex: Women may have slightly higher ESR values than men.

  • Medications: Certain drugs and supplements can raise or lower ESR results, such as:

    • Oral contraceptives

    • Aspirin

    • Cortisone or corticosteroids

    • Vitamin A supplements

  • Technical Factors: Delays in processing the blood sample or improper tube positioning can also affect the results.

Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking, as these can impact your results.

When Is an ESR Test Ordered?

A doctor may order an ESR test if you have symptoms that suggest systemic inflammation or if they want to monitor the progression of a known inflammatory condition. Common symptoms that may prompt an ESR test include:

  • Persistent fever

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Joint pain or stiffness

  • Fatigue

  • Symptoms of infection

The test may also be used to track how well you’re responding to treatment for inflammatory or autoimmune disorders.

ESR and Other Inflammatory Markers

Because ESR is non-specific, it is often used alongside other tests—such as C-reactive protein (CRP)—to provide a more complete picture of inflammation in the body.

Key Takeaway

The ESR test is a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring inflammation, but it is not diagnostic on its own. A high or low ESR result doesn’t automatically mean you have a serious condition. Your doctor will interpret the results in context, considering other lab data, symptoms, and risk factors.

If you receive an abnormal ESR result, follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and personalized recommendations.

What does it mean if your Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) result is too high?

What Does an Elevated ESR Level Mean?

An elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) indicates the presence of inflammation in the body. While the ESR test does not identify the specific cause of inflammation, it serves as a general marker that something may be wrong. Inflammation can result from a wide range of conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, chronic illnesses, and even certain cancers.

During the ESR test, red blood cells are measured for how quickly they settle in a test tube over one hour. The faster the cells settle, the higher the ESR—and the more likely there is inflammation in the body.

Common Causes of Elevated ESR

A high ESR result may point to acute or chronic inflammation associated with:

1. Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

  • Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)

  • Polymyalgia rheumatica

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

2. Infections

  • Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis or osteomyelitis

  • Viral infections like hepatitis or mononucleosis

  • Fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals

3. Cancers

  • Lymphoma

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Other metastatic cancers

4. Chronic Diseases

  • Kidney disease

  • Heart disease

  • Thyroid disorders

Non-Disease Causes of High ESR

Not all elevated ESR results are due to disease. Several non-inflammatory factors can temporarily increase ESR levels:

  • Pregnancy

  • Menstruation

  • Anemia

  • Older age

  • Obesity

Medications such as oral contraceptives, methyldopa, and certain chemotherapy drugs may also elevate ESR levels.

How Is an Elevated ESR Interpreted?

A high ESR is a non-specific finding, meaning it cannot confirm a diagnosis on its own. Instead, your healthcare provider will use it as a supporting piece of information—alongside symptoms, physical exam findings, and other lab or imaging tests—to help narrow down possible causes.

For example:

  • A high ESR with joint pain and stiffness may suggest rheumatoid arthritis.

  • A high ESR with fever and weight loss may raise suspicion for infection or cancer.

What Are the Next Steps After a High ESR?

If your ESR is elevated, your healthcare provider may:

  1. Order additional tests to identify the source of inflammation (e.g., CRP, complete blood count, imaging).

  2. Repeat the ESR test later to monitor trends over time.

  3. Evaluate whether the elevation is linked to a known condition (e.g., an autoimmune disease).

  4. Consider any medications, supplements, or non-disease factors that might be influencing the result.

Final Thoughts

An elevated ESR is a helpful signal that your body may be fighting inflammation, infection, or another underlying condition. However, it is only a starting point—it must be interpreted in the broader context of your health history and other diagnostic findings.

If you receive a high ESR result, follow up with your healthcare provider to determine what it might mean for you and whether further evaluation is needed.

What does it mean if your Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) result is too low?

Sometimes the ESR can be slower than normal. A slow ESR may indicate a blood disorder, such as:

- Polycythemia

- Sickle cell anemia

- Leukocytosis, an abnormal increase in white blood cells

 

Frequently asked questions

Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.

Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.

With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.

For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.

Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:

  • The GI Effects® Comprehensive Stool Profile,
  • GI-MAP,
  • The NutrEval FMV®,
  • The ION Profile,
  • Amino Acids Profile,
  • Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH),
  • Organic Acids Test,
  • Organix Comprehensive Profile,
  • Toxic Metals,
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC),
  • Metabolic panel,
  • Thyroid panel,
  • Lipid Panel,
  • Urinalysis,
  • And many, many more.

You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.

If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.

While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.

It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.

If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.

There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."

Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.

Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.

The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.

For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.

You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.

Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.

The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.

To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.

Yes, you can! Simply go to the "Invite Doctor" section, enter your doctor’s email address, and send the invitation. Your doctor will receive an email with secure access to view your results. You can revoke this access at any time. All shared information is securely encrypted and protected for your privacy.
Yes, you can! Go to the Graph view or Spreadsheet view. In the top-right corner, click "Export to Excel," and the file will be downloaded to your device.

Use promo code to save 10% off any plan.


We implement proven measures to keep your data safe.

At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.

Navigate to Immune System

Popular search

14.3.3 ETA PROTEIN, 21-Hydroxylase Antibody, Acetylcholine Receptor (AChR) Antibody, Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), Alpha 2-Macroglobulins, Qn, Alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, ANA SCREEN A, ANA SCREEN B, ANA SCREEN, IFA, ANA Screen, IFA (Positive, Negative), ANA titer, Anti-C1Q Ab, IgG (RDL), Anti-DBL-Strand DNA Ab, Anti-dsDNA (Double-stranded) Ab by Farr method (RDL), Anti-dsDNA ab (Farr Assay), Anti-IgE, ANTI-RNP (CU), Anti-Smith Antibody, Anticardiolipin Ab,IgA,Qn, Anticardiolipin Ab,IgG,Qn, Anticardiolipin Ab,IgM,Qn, Antinuclear Ab, HEp-2 Substrate, S, Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Screen, Reflex ANA IFA dsDNA Antibodies, Antinuclear Antibodies Direct (ANA Direct), Antiphosphatidylserine IgA, Antiphosphatidylserine IgG, Antiphosphatidylserine IgM, Antithrombin Activity (ATIII), Antithrombin III activity, Baski sleepy, Beta Strep Gp A Culture, Bordetella Pertussis Toxin (PT) IgG Antibody (IA), C1 Esterase Inh. Ag (Antigen), C1 Esterase Inhibitor, Func, C1 Esterase Inhibitor, Serum, C3A Desarg Fragment, C4a Level by RIA, CARDIOLIPIN AB (IGA), CARDIOLIPIN AB (IGG), CARDIOLIPIN AB (IGM), Carnitine Esters, CARNITINE, ESTERS, Carnitine, Free, Carnitine, Total, CCP Antibodies IgG/IgA, Centromere, Chromatin, Coccidioides Ab by CF, Coccidioides Ab, IgG, EIA, Coccidioides Ab, IgM, EIA, Complement C1q, Quantitative, Complement C3, Complement C3a, Complement C4, Serum, Complement C4a, Complement Component C1Q, Complement, Total (CH50), Complement, Total (CH50), Quest Diagnostics, Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody, Cysticercosis (Taenia solium), Dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT), Diphtheria Antitoxoid Antibody, DNA AB Double Stranded Titer, DNA Double-Stranded Ab, IgG, dRVVT Confirm, DRVVT SCREEN, dRVVT Screen Ratio, ds-DNA Antibody, IgG, dsDNA, ECP, ENA Screen, ENA to Smith (Sm) Antibody, ENA-6 Reflexed, Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Esterified/Free Ratio, F004-IgE Wheat, Free Kappa Lt Chains, Serum, Fusarium Proliferatum/Moniliforme IgG, Gammaglobulin A, Gammaglobulin G, Gammaglobulin M, Ganglioside Antibodies - GM1 (IgG), Ganglioside Antibodies - GM1 (IgM), Ganglioside Antibodies - GQ1b (IgG), Gastrin, GlycA, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Antibody (IgG), Helicobacter pylori Abs, Serum, Hemoglobin A2 (Quant), Hexagonal Phase Phospholipid, HISTAMINE RELEASE (CHRONIC URTICARIA), Histamine, Plasma, Histamine, Whole Blood, Histone, HLA-B27 (Human Leukocyte Antigen B27), Human Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-b1), IGE ANTIBODY (ANTI IGE IGG), Immunofixation Result, Serum, Immunoglobulin A, Qn, Serum, Immunoglobulin D, Quant, Serum, Immunoglobulin E, Immunoglobulin E, Total, Immunoglobulin G, Qn, Serum, Immunoglobulin M, Qn, Serum, INFg, Influenza Type A Antibody Serum, Influenza Type B Antibody Serum, Interleukin-2, Serum, Interleukin-6, Jo 1 Antibodies, IgG, Serum, JO-1, Kappa/Lambda Ratio, Serum, Liver Kidney Mic IgG, Liver-Kidney Microsomal Antibodies, Lupus Anticoagulant, Lysozyme, Serum, Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL), Measles Antibodies, IgG, Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1), Mumps Abs, IgG, PEP A2Glob, PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE AB (IGA), PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE AB (IGG), PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE AB (IGM), PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE AB (IGA), PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE AB (IGG), PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE AB (IGM), Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1) AG, Procalcitonin, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), Prothrombin Fragment 1.2, Prothrombin Time (PT), Prothrombin Time (PT) INR, QUANTIFERON® -TB GOLD PLUS, 1 TUBE, RA Latex Turbid, RATIO (CBA/VW AG), Reptilase Clotting Time, Reptilase Time, RF, IgA by EIA (RDL), RF, IgG by EIA (RDL), RF, IgM by EIA (RDL), Rheumatoid factor (RF), Rheumatoid Factor IgA, Rheumatoid Factor IgG, Rheumatoid Factor IgM, Ristocetin Cofactor, RNA Polymerase III Antibodies, RNP/Sm, Ro-52kD Antibody, Rubella Antibodies, IgG, Schistosoma IgG, Scl-70, Sed Rate by Modified Westergren, Semi-Quant RF, SICKLE CELL SCRN, Sirolimus, Whole Blood, Sm, SM/RNP Antibody, Smith/RNP (ENA) Ab, IGG, Smooth Muscle Abs, IFA, Ss-B/La Ab Igg, SSA, SSA-52 (Ro52) (ENA) Antibody, IgG, SSA-60 (Ro60) (ENA) Antibody, IgG, SSB, ssDNA, Tacrolimus, Highly Sensitive, LC/MS/MS, Tacrolimus, Whole Blood, TB1-NIL, TB2-NIL, Tetanus Antitoxoid IgG Ab, TGF-b1, Thrombin time, Thrombin-Antithrombin TAT, TNFb, Trans. Growth Fact. beta 1, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Plasma, Tryptase, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Varicella Zoster IgG, Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR, VEGF, Plasma, VEGF, Serum, von Willebrand Factor Activity, Von Willebrand Factor Antigen (vWF), VW Activity/VW Antigen Ratio, VWF: COLLAGEN BINDING