An ESR test helps you diagnose not one particular condition. Instead, it will help your healthcare practitioner determine if you are suffering from any inflammation and what further testing may be required. What is ESR in medical terms? The ESR full form is the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. The meaning of ESR in medical terms is the rate at which erythrocytes, commonly known as red blood cells, settle in a vertical tube over a specific period. What Is an ESR Test? An ESR test is the measurement of how quickly the red blood cells in a blood sample sinks to the bottom of the test tube. The full form of ESR is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is also known as the sed rate. Usually, the red blood cells should settle down slowly. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( ESR ) is the measure of ability of erythrocytes (red blood cell) to fall through the blood plasma and accumulate together at the base of container in one hour. [7] There are three stages in erythrocyte sedimentation : [8] Rouleaux formation Sedimentation or settling stage Packing stage - 10 minutes (sedimentation slows and cells start to pack at the bottom of the tube) In normal conditions, the red blood cells are negatively charged and therefore repel each ...