ESR (ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATE) 0000809

The ESR or Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate is used to detect the presence of inflammation caused by one or more conditions such as infections, tumors or autoimmune diseases. It is helpful in the diagnosis and monitoring of specific conditions such as temporal arteritis, systemic vasculitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, or rheumatoid arthritis. If you and your doctor think you may have any of the above conditions or you complain of frequent headaches, neck or shoulder pain, pelvic pain, anemia, poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, and joint stiffness and that these may be related to a condition causing inflammation it would be a good idea to consider the ESR and a panel that assess for collagen vascular disorders, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.