RA Diagnostic Test: Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate)

RA Diagnostic Test: Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate)

Other blood tests that may be run can help the doctor determine the extent of the inflammation in the joints and elsewhere in the body. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, or "sed rate") measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. Usually, the higher the sed rate, the more inflammation there is in the body.
Another blood test that measures inflammation is the C-reactive protein (CRP) test. If the CRP is high, inflammation levels are usually high as well, such as during a flare.