2007-03-07 08:44:53 · 5 answers · asked by SA 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
No! It doesn't tell you anything specific at all! All it can tell you is inflammation and increased proteins. I don't know why MDs keep ordering it!
2007-03-07 08:54:33 · answer #1 · answered by <3 Chrissy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ESR is not for diagnosis rather it is a prognostic test.An elevated ESR taken alone means nothing,but say in a patient with TB serial measurements(monthly on once ever 2 months) will definitely give insight into the progress/regression of the disease. A high/progressive ESR means the disease remains still active which is a poor prognosis,a regressing ESR can make the physician happy.In short it hints on the course of the disease and its prognosis.
2007-03-11 10:27:11 · answer #2 · answered by Pink Panther 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Though ESR is not specific, it is a cheap and easy test. It's an indication of inflammatory conditions. Together with other tests, symptoms you can make a diagnose (disease).
I am an MD.
2007-03-07 16:59:26 · answer #3 · answered by Diep T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's a non-specific test to screen for inflammation (inflammatory response) and is not as useful as the C-reactive protein (CRP). It's not a diagnostic tool by itself but is used with other tests for diagnosing inflammatory conditions.
2007-03-07 16:54:37 · answer #4 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
althugh it is not a specific test is a good diagnostic tool read in association with other symptoms to diagnose tuberculosis in india
2007-03-07 23:16:33 · answer #5 · answered by manu 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋