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Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
MessageHematology
Test Code
LAB322
Alias/See Also
Sed Rate, ESR
Preferred Specimen
2.5 mL whole blood (standard 13x75 mm size K3 or K2 EDTA blood collection pierceable tubes. lavender top tube)
Minimum Volume
500uL
Instructions
Testing must be completed within 4 to 6 hours of collection.
Transport Temperature
Sample must be brought to room temperature for at least 15 minutes, if refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Ambient 4 to 6 hours
Refrigerated 24 hours
Refrigerated 24 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Clotted
Hemolyzed
Hemolyzed
Methodology
Quantitative capillary photometry (aggregation) to measure erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) faster than traditional methods by capturing the kinetics of Red Blood Cell aggregation in a controlled testing environment during the most critical phase of sedimentation, commonly referred to as the lag or Rouleaux formation phase.
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Interferences that may increase ESR values:
Increased levels of Fibrinogen and gamma globulins
Technical factors such as mechanical vibrations and elevated room temperature
Interferences that may decrease ESR values:
Abnormally shaped RBC (sickle cells, spherocytes)
Technical factors such as decreased room temperature, delay in test performance, clotted blood sample, excess anticoagulant, bubbles
Increased levels of Fibrinogen and gamma globulins
Technical factors such as mechanical vibrations and elevated room temperature
Interferences that may decrease ESR values:
Abnormally shaped RBC (sickle cells, spherocytes)
Technical factors such as decreased room temperature, delay in test performance, clotted blood sample, excess anticoagulant, bubbles
Reference Range
Males: 1 - 15 mm/Hr
Females: 1 - 20 mm/Hr
Females: 1 - 20 mm/Hr
Clinical Significance
The ESR is helpful in revealing inflammatory activity and in monitoring the progress of conditions associated with acute and chronic inflammation, including infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases.
The ESR is particularly useful in evaluating patients with unexplained symptoms when infectious diseases are suspected and when a specific diagnosis is not available effectively using other tests.
The ESR provides particularly valuable information in conditions such as temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cells arteritis, inflammatory arthropathies etc.
The ESR is particularly useful in evaluating patients with unexplained symptoms when infectious diseases are suspected and when a specific diagnosis is not available effectively using other tests.
The ESR provides particularly valuable information in conditions such as temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cells arteritis, inflammatory arthropathies etc.
Performing Laboratory
HHN / HHI
