ESR

"The ESR test measures how quickly erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle at the bottom of a test tube containing a blood sample. A faster-than-normal rate may indicate inflammation in the body. Here’s how it fits into clinical practice:

1. Differentiating Disease Types: ESR can be elevated in both inflammatory and neoplastic (cancerous) diseases, but it is not specific enough to differentiate between them on its own. It can suggest the presence of an underlying condition that might need further investigation, but additional specific tests are required for diagnosis.

2. Disease Severity and Monitoring: ESR is often used to assess the severity of inflammation and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, it is not a direct index of disease severity as its levels can be influenced by other factors such as age, anemia, and pregnancy." - Dr. Alan Hopkins