It definitely is not related to thyroid though it is often run to look for things that cause similar symtoms to thyroid. According to Medline, the test is:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>A nonspecific screening test for various diseases. The test measures the distance (in millimeters) that red blood cells settle in unclotted blood toward the bottom of a specially marked test tube in 1 hour.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can be used to monitor inflammatory or malignant disease, rheumatic fever, and acute myocardial infarction. Although it is a screening test (not considered diagnostic for any particular disorder), it is useful in detecting and monitoring tuberculosis, tissue necrosis (tissue death), rheumatologic disorders, or an otherwise unsuspected disease in which symptoms are vague or physical findings are minimal. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
As for your symptoms being thyroid related, possibly yes and possibly no. I would look into reasons why the ESR level is rising, since this seems to be indicating a problem that is progressing, and my be contributing to your symptoms or making them worse.
Interpretations, acording to Medline:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Elevated values occur with:
kidney disease
pregnancy
rheumatic fever
rheumatoid arthritis
severe anemia
syphilis
systemic lupus erythematosus
thyroid disease
tuberculosis
Markedly elevated values occur with:
giant cell (temporal, cranial) arteritis
multiple myeloma
macroglobulinemia - primary
hyperfibrinogenemia (elevated fibrinogen levels in the blood)
necrotizing vasculitis
polymyalgia rheumatica<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
