What is ESR and its principle?

What is ESR and its principle?

PRINCIPLE: The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) expresses in mm per hour the rate at which red blood cells settle when anti-coagulated blood is allowed to stand in a narrow tube (Westergren). It is measured by the height of the column of clear plasma at the end of one hour.

What is ESR and normal range?

Results. Results from your sed rate test will be reported in the distance in millimeters (mm) that red blood cells have descended in one hour (hr). The normal range is 0 to 22 mm/hr for men and 0 to 29 mm/hr for women.

What is the method used in ESR?

There are two main methods used to measure the ESR: the Westergren method and the Wintrobe Method. Each method produces slightly different results. Most laboratories use the Westergren method.

What does ESR?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) is a test that indirectly measures the degree of inflammation present in the body. The test actually measures the rate of fall (sedimentation) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in a sample of blood that has been placed into a tall, thin, vertical tube.

What are the stages of ESR?

There are 3 stages in erythrocyte sedimentation 1) Stage 1 : Rouleaux formation – First 10 minutes 2) Stage 2 : Stage of sedimentation or settling – 40 mins 3) Stage 3 : Stage of packing – 10 minutes, sedimentation slows and cells start to pack at the bottom of the tube.

Why is ESR still used in the laboratory?

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) remains the most widely used laboratory test for monitoring the course of infections, inflammatory diseases, and some types of cancer. Several test methods have been developed recently, and as a result the safety and reliability of ESR testing procedures have improved.

Which anticoagulant is used in ESR?

For ESR determination, blood anticoagulated with 3.8% trisodium citrate (TSC) or ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) can used.

What anticoagulant is in ESR tube?

Blood can be directly drawn or transferred manually from an EDTA tube into 1.2-mL safety-coated ESR vacuum tubes containing 3.2% sodium citrate as an anticoagulant.

What is normal ESR?

The normal reference range for ESR results is 1–13 mm/hr for males and 1–20 mm/hr for females. These values can also vary depending on the person’s age. People with ESR results outside the standard range may have a medical condition.