What lab result indicates inflammation in the body?

An elevated SED rate, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, is a specific laboratory test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over a specified period. Inflammation in the body often causes an increase in proteins such as fibrinogen that affect the red blood cells’ tendency to clump together, leading to a faster sedimentation rate.

A higher SED rate is commonly associated with various inflammatory conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and some types of cancers. This makes it a valuable indicator for health professionals when diagnosing or monitoring inflammatory processes within the body.

While other lab results may provide insight into different health conditions, the SED rate is particularly recognized as a marker for inflammation, which is why this result stands out as the correct answer in identifying the presence of inflammation in the body.