What is Erythrocyte Sedimentation?

The ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) test is excellent at reporting inflammation, but the test is non-specific so the doctor may have no idea where the inflammation is happening. The ESR test does not reveal the cause of the inflammation. Doctors often order and ESR with other diagnostic blood tests and if ESR levels are high, the doctor knows to look for an inflammatory condition, which can be narrowed down with other blood tests.

The ESR test is inexpensive. Inflammation can be caused by numerous factors, some having nothing to do with disease of any kind. Doctors may request repeating the ESR test for months before ordering more diagnostic tests to find the source of the inflammation.

Normal Value Range

• Negative Pregnancy Adult: 0 to 20 mm/h
• Pregnancy Trimester One: 4 to 57 mm/h
• Pregnancy Trimester Two: 7 to 47 mm/h  
• Pregnancy Trimester Three: 13 to 70 mm/h