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What is Sedimentation Rate โ€“ Westergren?

The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), also known as sedimentation rate or sed rate, is a blood test that measures inflammation in your body. The Westergren method is the gold standard technique endorsed by the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology for measuring ESR. In this test, a sample of your blood is placed in a tall, thin tube called a Westergren tube, which stands upright for one hour. The test measures how quickly your red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle to the bottom of the tube, expressed in millimeters per hour (mm/hr).

When inflammation is present in your body, certain proteins in your blood cause red blood cells to clump together and fall faster. The faster your red blood cells settle, the higher your ESR, indicating greater inflammation. While ESR cannot diagnose a specific condition on its own, it serves as a valuable marker that helps healthcare providers detect and monitor inflammatory activity when used alongside other diagnostic tests.

Why is Sedimentation Rate โ€“ Westergren important?

Tracking your ESR levels is essential for understanding inflammation in your body, which can signal various health conditions. Inflammation is your immune systemโ€™s response to injury, infection, and many conditions including autoimmune disorders, certain cancers, and blood disorders.

Healthcare providers use ESR testing for two main purposes: diagnosis and monitoring. For diagnosis, an elevated ESR can help detect conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, temporal arteritis, lupus, infections (including bone and joint infections), inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers like lymphoma and multiple myeloma. For monitoring, ESR levels help track disease activity and treatment effectiveness in patients already diagnosed with inflammatory conditions.

An extremely high ESR (over 100 mm/hr) is often associated with serious underlying conditions and warrants immediate medical attention. Symptoms that may accompany abnormal ESR levels include unexplained fever, joint pain and stiffness, muscle aches, headaches, weight loss, and fatigue. If you experience these symptoms or have concerns about your ESR levels, it is important to consult with your physician for proper evaluation and treatment.

How can I better understand my Sedimentation Rate โ€“ Westergren levels?

According to the International Committee for Standardization in Haematology, reference values using the Westergren method are:

  • Men younger than 50 years: 15 mm/hr or lower
  • Women younger than 50 years: 20 mm/hr or lower
  • Men older than 50 years: 20 mm/hr or lower
  • Women older than 50 years: 30 mm/hr or lower
  • Children: 10 mm/hr or lower

Note: Reference ranges may vary slightly between laboratories. ESR values are generally higher in females than males and tend to increase with age.

ESR results should always be interpreted in conjunction with your clinical presentation and other laboratory tests. An abnormal ESR alone does not establish a specific diagnosis. Several factors can influence your ESR results, including pregnancy, menstruation, anemia, certain medications (such as oral contraceptives, aspirin, and corticosteroids), and recent physical activity. Blood samples should ideally be tested within 2 hours of collection for the most accurate results.

Your healthcare provider may order a C-reactive protein (CRP) test alongside your ESR to provide additional information about inflammation, as these two tests complement each other in evaluating inflammatory conditions.

How can I maintain optimal Sedimentation Rate levels?

If your ESR levels are elevated, the following strategies may help reduce inflammation and support healthy levels:

Dietary Changes: Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Include omega-3 rich fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Add berries, leafy greens, and colorful vegetables for their antioxidant properties. Incorporate anti-inflammatory spices such as turmeric, ginger, and garlic into your meals. Avoid processed foods, excessive sugar, fried foods, and excessive red meat, as these can promote inflammation.

Lifestyle Changes: Engage in regular moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, or yoga for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. Maintain a healthy weight, as excess body fat (especially around the waist) stimulates inflammation. Prioritize quality sleep of 7 to 9 hours per night. Practice stress management techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as both can exacerbate inflammation. Stay well-hydrated by drinking at least 1 to 2 liters of water daily.

Medical Management: If lifestyle changes are insufficient, your healthcare provider may recommend medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or disease-specific treatments depending on the underlying cause of elevated ESR. Always follow your healthcare providerโ€™s treatment recommendations and attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.

Where can I learn more?

DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation of your results and for personalized health recommendations.