Sedimentation Rate

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Results

The sedimentation rate (sed rate) blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube.

Normal

Normal values may vary from lab to lab. Results are usually available right away.

Sedimentation rate

Men	0–15 millimeters per hour (mm/hr)
Women	0–20 mm/hr
Children	0–10 mm/hr
Newborns	0–2 mm/hr

High values

High sedimentation rates may be caused by:

• Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Cancer, such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Infection, such as pneumonia, pelvic inflammatory disease, or appendicitis.
• Inflammation of joints (such as polymyalgia rheumatica) and blood vessels (such as giant cell arteritis).
• Inflammation of the thyroid gland (Graves' disease).
• Kidney, bone, joint, skin, or heart valve infections.
• Pregnancy and preeclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy).
• Viral infections.

Low values

Low values may be caused by:

• High blood sugar levels.
• Polycythemia.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Severe liver disease.

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: June 12, 2008
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
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