Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [VB]

Reference range, target level, or decision threshold

Women: <3-15 mm/h (up to 20 mm/h in persons aged >65 years)CW

Men: 1-10 mm/h (up to 20 mm/h in persons aged >65 years)CW

Interpretation of results

↑ Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections (acute and chronic), systemic connective tissue diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of other etiology (eg, gout, reactive arthritis), systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, polymyalgia rheumatica and other types of polymyalgia, malignancies (eg, multiple myeloma), anemias (hemolytic, iron deficiency, aplastic), macroglobulinemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, cryoglobulinemia, surgery or trauma, myocardial infarction, thyroid disorders, nephrotic syndrome, heavy metal poisoning (eg, lead)

↓ Polycythemia vera and relative polycythemia, sickle cell disease, decreased fibrinogen concentration