Sedimentation Rate: Results
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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.
| 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.
| Last updated: | June 12, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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