Science Based Nutrition

Lab Marker of the Week: ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

Did you know that sometimes the most valuable lab markers aren't the ones that point to a specific diagnosis—they're the ones that tell us something deeper may be happening?

ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) is a simple blood test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube over one hour. When inflammation is present, they tend to settle faster, resulting in a higher ESR.

An elevated ESR may be associated with:
• Chronic inflammation
• Autoimmune conditions
• Certain infections
• Tissue injury or recovery
• Some chronic diseases

A lower ESR is generally less common and may be seen with certain blood disorders or conditions that affect red blood cell shape or number.

Keep in mind: ESR is a non-specific inflammatory marker. It doesn't diagnose a disease on its own, but when interpreted alongside other lab values, symptoms, and a patient's health history, it can provide valuable insight into what's happening beneath the surface.

At Science Based Nutrition, we believe every lab marker tells part of the story. Looking at results together, not in isolation, helps uncover patterns that support a more personalized approach to health.

Lab Marker of the Week: Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

LDH is an enzyme found throughout the body, including in the:

• Heart
• Liver
• Muscles
• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Red blood cells

Its primary role is helping cells produce energy. Because LDH is present in so many tissues, elevated levels can serve as a general indicator that the body is experiencing cellular stress, tissue damage, or increased cell turnover.

Elevated LDH may be associated with:

• Inflammation
• Tissue injury
• Intense physical stress or exercise
• Liver dysfunction
• Hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown)
• Certain chronic health conditions

One of the challenges with LDH is that it is a non-specific marker. An elevated result doesn't tell practitioners exactly where the issue is occurring, but it can indicate that further investigation may be warranted.

From a clinical perspective, LDH is often evaluated alongside:

• AST and ALT
• CRP
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Ferritin
• Other organ-specific markers

When viewed in context, LDH can help identify underlying physiological stress that may not be obvious from symptoms alone.

At Science Based Nutrition, we believe that even broad markers like LDH can provide valuable clues when interpreted as part of a comprehensive health assessment.

Because prevention starts with recognizing subtle changes before they become larger concerns.