ESRErythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
What it shows
How far red cells settle in an hour. It rises with inflammation but does not show the cause.
Your doctor reads the result: the laboratory does not diagnose or prescribe. The result sheet gives the reference range beside each value.
Sample
- Short code
- ESR
- What is taken
- Blood from a vein
- Container
- Purple-top EDTA tube
- Turnaround
- Same day at 18:00, for samples taken by 12:00
- At home
- Yes, a nurse comes to your home
Preparation
- At least 4 hours after a light meal
Reference ranges
| For | Range |
|---|---|
| Women | 2–20 mm/h |
| Men | 2–15 mm/h |
These ranges are for Damla’s analysers and methods; another laboratory’s ranges may differ slightly.
This test is part of these check-ups
From the same section
- CBCComplete blood count with differential₼12
- RETReticulocytes₼12
- ABO/RhBlood group and Rh factor₼12
- SMEARBlood smear under the microscope₼14