What is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate?

Erythrocytes:

1. Red blood cells (RBC) are red in color due to the presence of a red pigment called hemoglobin inside them.
2. RBC is also called erythrocytes.
3. It is responsible to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body.
4. Erythrocytes do not have nuclei.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate:

1. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test procedure performed to analyze how rapidly erythrocytes (red blood cells) settle down in a test tube containing the blood sample.
2. This test is mainly performed to measure the presence of inflammation in the body. Normally, red blood cells settle down relatively slowly. If the red blood cells settle down faster-than-normal rate indicates inflammation in the body.
3. The higher value of ESR indicates the presence of cancerous tumors or an autoimmune disease.