Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Inflammation

Normal Reference Ranges

Adult

Male: 0-15 | Female: 0-20 (increases with age) mm/hr

Pediatric

0 - 10 mm/hr

Clinical Significance

Measures the rate at which RBCs settle in saline. An indirect, non-specific marker of chronic inflammation.

Causes of High

  • Infection
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Multiple myeloma (very high)
  • Pregnancy
  • Anemia

Causes of Low

  • Sickle cell disease
  • Polycythemia
  • Heart failure
  • Microcytosis