The sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR) test is a type of blood test. It helps healthcare providers check for inflammation inside your body. They might use it to help diagnose a condition or infection, or to monitor you for changes after starting a new treatment. ESR test means Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate which measures at what speed red blood cells settle down in a blood sample during a standard blood test within a particular timeframe. ESR test indirectly evaluates the specific protein levels that enable the settling down of erythrocytes. ESR test detects inflammation. Learn normal ESR ranges by age and gender, influencing factors, and what abnormal levels might signal for effective diagnosis. Erythrocytes are red blood cells. The sedimentation rate is the time it takes for your red blood cells to settle at the bottom of a test tube. An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can show if you have inflammation in your body.