Question
I recently had a blood test to see if I have rheumotoid arthritus . HI SEDRATE:The results say the normal number is 1-15 mine was 23 , how bad is this and also what is the scale after the 1-15 is 23 very high/ Also on the test was this Positive 1:320 Homogeneous what does that mean??
Answer
A sed rate of 23 mm/hour, although listed as “high”, is not very high. Sed rates can go as high as 150 mm/hour and patients with rheumatoid arthritis can frequently have sed rates in the 40-50 range, particularly if they are not being treated. The test “positive 1:320 and homogenous” does not refer to the sed rate, but to a test called the ANA. This test can be positive in a disease called systemic lupus (SLE) but can also be positive in other rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. ANA levels in this range can also be falsely positive. You need to discuss this with your doctor.
