SED rates

[jeven]

What does the higher level of the SED rate mean?

[wonko]

A high SED rate by itself is non-specific.  It can not be used diagnostically without other information/test results, or at least that is my understanding.

[laura1967]

SED rate is an inflammation marker test. It can reveal inflammation within the body, including acute situations including pneumonia, appendicits, and acute inflammatory diseases.

Today, the test is most often used if your doctor suspects you have one of the following diseases:

■Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation of the lining of joints and results in pain, joint damage and joint deformity
■Polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disorder that causes widespread muscle aching and stiffness, primarily in your neck, shoulders, upper arms, thighs and hips
■Giant cell arteritis (GCA), or temporal or cranial arteritis, an inflammation of the lining of your arteries that can cause headaches, jaw pain, and blurred or double vision