ESR of 71 and Lupus: What Does It Mean?

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or ESR, measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube. An elevated ESR can indicate inflammation, but its presence does not necessarily indicate that lupus is the cause. ESR is a common but not specific test for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) , an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems in the body. However, having a high ESR does not always mean someone has lupus. An ESR of 71 mm/hr is higher than the normal range, which is typically less than 20 mm/hr for women and less than 15 mm/hr for men. Therefore, it's important to consult a healthcare professional and consider the complete clinical picture, including symptoms and other laboratory findings, to determine the underlying cause of the elevated ESR.