The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is the rate at which red blood cells in anticoagulated whole blood descend in a standardized tube over a period of one hour. It is a common hematology test, and is a non-specific measure of inflammation.
What does it mean when you have a high sed rate?
A high sed rate is a sign you have a disease that causes inflammation in your body. Some conditions and medicines can affect the speed at which red blood cells fall, and they may affect your test results. These include: Anemia.
What are the symptoms of high sed rate?
These symptoms can include:
- joint pain or stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes in the morning.
- headaches, particularly with associated pain in the shoulders.
- abnormal weight loss.
- pain in the shoulders, neck, or pelvis.
- digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever, blood in your stool, or unusual abdominal pain.
