Causes of Altered Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates
- Pregnancy (uterine and ectopic)
- Toxemia of pregnancy
- Collagen disorders (immune disorders of connective tissue)
- Inflammatory disorders
- Infections
- Acute myocardial infarction
- Most malignancies
- Drugs (oral contraceptives, dextran, penicillamine, methyldopa, procainamide, theophylline, vitamin A)
- Severe anemias
- Myeloproliferative disorders
- Renal disease (nephritis)
- Hepatic cirrhosis
- Thyroid disorders
- Acute heavy metal poisoning
- Polycythemia vera
- Congestive heart failure
- Sickle cell, Hgb C disease
- Degenerative joint disease
- Cryoglobulinemia
- Drug toxicity (salicylates, quinine derivatives, adrenal corticosteroids)