$Unique_ID{BRK01480}
$Pretitle{Special Procedures and Laboratory Tests, Blood and Blood Forming
Organs}
$Title{What is a Blood Sed Rate?}
$Subject{sed rate blood test}
$Volume{P-7, D-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is a Blood Sed Rate?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  Please explain what is a blood sed rate, and what is normal?  What
determines the rate and how can it be changed?  I am eager to know about this
mysterious condition and will appreciate any enlightenment.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  The sed rate, technically the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR,
measures the rate that red blood cells settle or sediment in an anticoagulated
sample of venous blood.  There is little sedimentation in normal blood because
the red cells only have a slightly heavier density than the blood plasma.
     The sed rate varies with the age and sex of the patient.  It is also
affected by smoking, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, abnormal red cells shapes and
other factors.  In normal men, the red cells drift down at a rate of between
1-13 mm per hour.  Women may show a rate of 1-20 mm/hour and still be
considered normal.
     The test has been used to screen for numerous diseases, including
infections and acute and chronic inflammations.  It can also be used as a
screening tool in patients with non-specific problems or systemic disease.
Repeated ESR testing may also allow doctors to monitor disease activity,
helping them to track the progress of a disease and determining whether things
are getting better or worse by noting significant increases or decreases in
the sed rate.  For example, in such diseases as temporal arteritis and
polymyalgia, a normal ESR is very rare but repeated sed rate testing done over
a period of time allows doctors to monitor disease progression.  It is
important to realize that the ESR is merely a test, useful for evaluating and
following various conditions, but is not a disease in and of itself.  Although
once an important study of great assistance in helping to make a diagnosis for
many patients, it is less so these days because of the development of so many
new and more sensitive tests.  Still in some cases it remains a very valuable
tool.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
