Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
| About This Test |
|
Department: Haematology Requirement: EDTA (purple top)
Turnaround Time: 12 hrs |
A commonly used inflammatory marker, but affected by several variables, thus non-specific.
Most useful in the urgent situation for the diagnosis of temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). May be used for the monitoring of some rheumatic diseases
Other Comments:
Reference range:
|
Age |
Female |
Male |
|
<16 years |
1-8 mm/hr |
1-8 mm/hr |
|
16-60 years |
2-16 mm/hr |
2-10 mm/hr |
|
>60 years |
2-20 mm/hr |
2-18 mm/hr |
ESRs can only be added on to a previous sample within 12 hours of venepuncture.