Hello! Inflammatory markers were
discussed at our last BNTM Coffee Break. Below is a review of the two most

commonly used inflammation
markers: the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

(ESR) test, which measures
the rate at which red blood cells settle at the

bottom of a test tube over a
specified period. This rate increases with

inflammation. ESR values
typically range from 0-22 mm/hr for men and 0-29 mm/hr

for women. Elevated ESR
levels can indicate inflammation due to infections,

autoimmune diseases, and
chronic inflammatory diseases.



CRP (C-reactive protein) is a
blood test that measures the level of C-reactive protein, which the liver

produces in response to
inflammation. Normal CRP levels are generally less than

10 mg/L. High CRP levels
indicate inflammation and can be associated with

infections, chronic
inflammatory diseases, and other health conditions.

Elevated CRP levels require
further diagnostic testing to determine the root

cause. It is a good practice
to keep a paper copy of your labs or on your

patient portal to see the
trends over time. Please let us know if you

have any questions.