What is ESR?
Disease description:
I am 28 years old this year. I recently went to the hospital for a medical checkup, and the doctor told me that my ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) is slightly elevated. I am quite worried. May I ask, what is ESR?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), commonly known as sedimentation rate, refers to the rate at which red blood cells settle in blood under certain conditions. This index is typically used to reflect the degree of red blood cell aggregation and changes in various components of plasma. The speed of ESR is influenced by multiple factors, including the proportion of various proteins in plasma, the number and shape of red blood cells.
In clinical practice, ESR testing is often used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool to monitor disease progression, assess treatment effectiveness, and aid in the diagnosis of certain diseases such as acute inflammation, connective tissue disorders, and active tuberculosis. An elevated ESR often indicates the presence of certain pathological processes within the body.
