The Westergren method is the standard technique for measuring ESR, which reflects how quickly red blood cells settle in a vertical tube over one hour. Inflammation causes blood proteins to stick to red cells, making them settle faster. While nonspecific, ESR is widely used because it is simple and reliable.
This test is ordered to evaluate suspected autoimmune or inflammatory conditions such as polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis (which often have markedly elevated ESR), investigate unexplained fever or pain, monitor known inflammatory disease, and assess response to treatment. It is often interpreted alongside CRP. Sample type is whole blood in an EDTA tube.
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