Test Details
Methodology
Modified Westergren; automated and manual methods are employed.
Result Turnaround Time
Within 1 day
Use
Evaluate the nonspecific activity of infections, inflammatory states, autoimmune disorders, and plasma cell dyscrasias
Specimen Requirements
Limitations
Optimum results are from blood less than two hours old. The ESR is of limited diagnostic value in severe anemia or in hematologic states that affect increased size and shape variation (poikilocytosis) of the RBC (ie, presence of sickle cells or spherocytes). Extreme plasma viscosity will result in a decreased ESR.
References
Custom Additional Information
Elevations in fibrinogen, α- and β-globulins (acute phase reactants), and immunoglobulins increase the sedimentation rate of red cells through plasma. The test is important in the diagnosis of temporal arteritis, as well as its management.1
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
Tube fill capacity
Minimum Volume
2 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; clotted specimen; underfilled tube; specimen older than 24 hours; improper labeling; transfer tubes with whole blood; specimen received in any anticoagulant other than EDTA; specimen diluted or contaminated with IV fluid; patient specimen with presence of cold agglutinins or cryoglobulins; specimen received with plasma removed
Collection Instructions
Invert tube immediately 8 to 10 times once tube is filled at time of collection.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Refrigerated | 24 hours |
Reference Range
• Male: 0 to 50 years: 0−15 mm/hour, 50 years and older: 0−30 mm/hour
• Female: 0 to 50 years: 0−32 mm/hour, 50 years and older: 0−40 mm/hour
Footnotes
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 005215 | Sedimentation Rate-Westergren | 4537-7 | 005215 | Sedimentation Rate-Westergren | mm/hr | 4537-7 |
| Order Code | 005215 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Sedimentation Rate-Westergren | |||||
| Order Loinc | 4537-7 | |||||
| Result Code | 005215 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Sedimentation Rate-Westergren | |||||
| UofM | mm/hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 4537-7 |