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ERY. SEDIMENTATION RATE - Automated
MessageMethod Limitations: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a transient phenomenon confined to fresh blood. It is not a hematic matrix component at the corpuscular or molecular level. The procedure used to determine the ESR cannot be calibrated since they are susceptible to a variety of factors, e.g. temperature, hematocrit, erythrocytes mean corpuscular volume, plasma viscosity, etc. For this reason, it is possible to observe instrument performance deviations, compared to other procedures when the above variables are not taken into account. Sample mixing is performed at the beginning of the analysis with the purpose of homogenizing the sample; an inefficient homogenization can affect the results given by the instrument.
Test Code
ESR
Alias/See Also
ESR
SED RATE
SED RATE
CPT Codes
85652
Preferred Specimen
EDTA Whole blood (lavendar top tube)
Minimum Volume
600 uL Whole Blood
Other Acceptable Specimens
EDTA
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature: 4 hours at 20-25°C
Refrigerated: 24hours at 2-8°C
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 24hours at 2-8°C
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Frozen
Clotted specimens
Samples not labeled with full name and date of birth
Clotted specimens
Samples not labeled with full name and date of birth
Methodology
Automated sedimentation rate
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Reference Range
Male <50 years old 0-15 mm/hr
> 50 years old 0-20 mm/hr
Female <50 years old 0-20 mm/hr
>50 years old 0-30 mm/hr
Newborns – 18 years of age male and female
0-10 mm/hr
> 50 years old 0-20 mm/hr
Female <50 years old 0-20 mm/hr
>50 years old 0-30 mm/hr
Newborns – 18 years of age male and female
0-10 mm/hr
Clinical Significance
The ESR is a simple non-specific screening test that indirectly measures the presence of inflammation in the body. It reflects the tendency of red blood cells to settle more rapidly in the face of some disease states, usually because of increases in plasma fibrinogen, immunoglobulins, and other acute-phase reaction proteins. Changes in red cell shape or numbers may also affect the ESR.
Performing Laboratory
Frederick Health Laboratory
400 W 7th Street
Frederick, MD. 21701
Last Updated: November 28, 2023