Is your ESR telling the whole story? Understanding what your ESR reveals about inflammation in your body can be tricky. We break down how ESR works, what it can (and can't) tell you, and why tracking it over time is crucial in managing autoimmune conditions.

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💡Video Key Takeaways
✔️ The ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a tube, indicating the level of inflammation in the body, though it's an indirect measure and not specific to any particular condition.
✔️ ESR results can be influenced by factors like age, gender, BMI, and smoking. It's important to consider the context, such as symptoms and other factors, rather than just the number alone.
✔️ ESR is commonly used in rheumatology to monitor autoimmune inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), but it's less reliable in conditions like lupus or Sjogren’s. In conditions like polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), a high ESR is crucial for diagnosis.
✔️ The trend of ESR over time is more valuable than a single result. Tracking it alongside symptoms helps in understanding disease activity and treatment effectiveness.
✔️ If ESR was high at the time of an autoimmune diagnosis, it may continue to be a useful marker. Conversely, if it was normal despite high inflammation, it might not be as telling in future flare-ups.

⏱️Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:45 What is the ESR
2:37 Interpreting the ESR
4:56 The ESR in Rheumatology
6:22 Convo Starters (Qs for you and your Doc)

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👩🏻‍⚕️ About me:
Hello! I am Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz and I’m so happy you are here. I am a double board certified Rheumatologist with over 15 years experience practicing Rheumatology and am passionate about teaching & empowering patients to partner with their doctor.

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* The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Any comments and/or recommendations made in the comment section by anyone other than Connected Rheumatology does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of Connected Rheumatology.*