Health Encyclopedia

ESR

Definition

ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is a nonspecific screening test that indirectly measures how much inflammation is in the body.

Alternative Names

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Sed rate; Sedimentation rate

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

The blood sample is sent to a lab. The test measures how fast red blood cells called erythrocytes fall to the bottom of a tall, thin tube.

How to prepare for the test

There are no special preparations needed.

How the test will feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed

This test can be used to monitor inflammatory or cancerous diseases. It is a screening test, which means it cannot be used to diagnose a specific disorder.

However, it is useful in detecting and monitoring tuberculosis, tissue death, certain forms of arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory diseases that cause vague symptoms.

Normal Values

Adults (Westergren method):

Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr
Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr
Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr
Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr

Children (Westergren method):

Newborn: 0 to 2 mm/hr
Neonatal to puberty: 3 to 13 mm/hr

Note: mm/hr. = millimeters per hour

What abnormal results mean

An increased ESR rate may be due to:

Anemia
Kidney disease
Osteomyelitis
Pregnancy
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatoid arthritis
Syphilis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Thyroid disease
Tuberculosis
Other inflammatory conditions

Very high ESR levels occur with:

Giant cell arteritis
Hyperfibrinogenemia (increased fibrinogen levels in the blood)
Multiple myeloma
Macroglobulinemia - primary
Necrotizing vasculitis
Polymyalgia rheumatica

Lower-than-normal levels occur with:

Congestive heart failure
Hyperviscosity
Hypofibrinogenemia (decreased fibrinogen levels)
Low plasma protein (due to liver or kidney disease)
Polycythemia
Sickle cell anemia

Additional conditions that may affect test results:

Allergic vasculitis
Atrial myxoma
Autoimmune hepatitis
Endometritis
Eosinophilic fasciitis
Erysipelas
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Legionnaire's disease
Osteomyelitis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pericarditis after a heart attack
Retroperitoneal fibrosis
Skin lesion of blastomycosis
Subacute thyroiditis
Scleroderma

What the risks are

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Review Date:6/18/2007
Reviewed By:Steve Lee, DO, Rheumatology Fellow, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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