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Questions and Answers
- Q
- >My 84-year old mother had a blood test which showed an "elevated SED rate."
The blood tests were taken because she had flu-like symptoms with a low-grade
fever for a couple of weeks. Please explain the meaning of the elevated SED
rate, and what the causes of this may be. Also, what further tests should be
done. Thank you.
- A
- Hi ...the SED rate, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is
a lab test to measure how far red cells setle in a test tube in one hour ...
rates below 20 are considered normal ... if the SED rate is elevated then it
indicates the presence of a systemic inflammatory response ... it's a red
flag that in itself tells nothing about diagnosis ... the increase may be
caused by any type of inflammation from arthritis to burns, infections,
myocardial infarctions, malignancies,fractures and tissue damage ... it's
rarely the sole indicator of the presence of inflammation.
Your Mother's physician would be the best arbitror
in diagnosing the offending condition ... not only will he/she have access
to her complete medical history, but will be well aware of what illnesses
are prevalent in the general population at this time.
Best wishes to you and your Mother.