What is ESR in relation to the reults of a blood test?

[DorrisMcWenceslas]

Just come back from the GP (again, ever feel like you live there?!) as have had a monitoring blood test for my Thyroid.
The nurse said that a past blood test showed that my ESR was elevated so she did another test on whatever that is too.
Now I'm home and having a small panic/ wonder about what on earth ESR is and what does it mean and what happens when it's elevated?
Has anyone got the foggiest on this one?

ESR is Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, and relates to the speed with which the erythrocytes in your blood sample settle to the bottom of the test tube. I'm not entirely sure what erythrocytes are, but I know that a raised ESR is indicative of inflammation somewhere - ie you might have a bit of an infection.

I seem to have a raised ESR every time I have a blood test, and am waiting for my recent chest infection to be totally over before I go for a repeat blood test. Personally I put it down to the fact that I have dodgy joints that get sore, probably due to wear and tear (I'm overweight and trying to lose it). I also have what I think is a wee bit of arthritis in my left thumb, and that might be enough to raise my ESR.

It's probably nothing to worry about - there are lots of viruses around at the moment, and it's probably that. The next test will probably show that your ESR is back to normal.

Hope this helps.

Look here.

erythrocytes are red blood cells

Ahh, thank you ladies, that makes sense!
I wonder if it has anything to do with the carbimazole that I'm on? The Gp said it could 'lower my defences' and that I had to watch out for possible infections.
Gahhh, I hate meds!
Thank you though!

ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is the speed at which red cells fall if put into a test tube. The higher the number, the faster they're falling, which means they are more clumpy and sticky. (sorry, not very scientific terms).
All sorts of things can put up the ESR -it is very non-specific - but usually it's inflammation/infection. Also the range of what is 'normal' is broad and changes with sex and age.
Anyway, because it is such a 'vague' test, it shouldn't really be done without a clinical context -if you're feeling generally well and went in for a routine check then an ESR isn't going to add much to your management.

Hope this helps, and try not to worry!

'Tis the Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate, and is the rate at which the red blood cells settle in a tube of anticoagulated blood. ESR is quite non-specific, and will elevate in inflammation but does not tell you where the inflammation occurs. Please do not be alarmed when you Google it, as it can be raised in some serious diseases such as lymphomas BUT as I said, it is also elevated in any inflammation, anaemia, pregnancy and old age (not suggesting anything here, BTW ). Its diagnostic value is in alerting the physician to the presence of possible inflammation which may need to be treated. Also, this has to be taken in the context of your medical history - it I remember correctly from another thread, you have thyroid issues, yes? I don;t know if this or your medications may affect ESR also.

I am not a doctor, BTW, merely a scientist.

Thank you FM.
I presume they were doing it in relation to my thyroid medication, but who knows with my Gp's!
(believe me, non medical terms are very good, I never understand what anybody is saying when they use anything else!)

Poo, I type too slow

Thank you Poledra (what a good memory for threads you have!)
Suppose I shall have to wait to see what GP says at appointment next week. Surely nothing else can be wrong with me?!