Tests:Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Blood

Overview
Department	Haematology
Test Code	ESR
Synonyms	ESR   Sedimentation rate
Turnaround Time	1.5-4 hrs
Stability – Add test	12 hrs
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type	Whole Blood
Specimen Transportation	Please affix patient labels to top half of tube, do not cover the glass end.
Preferred	1.3mL Black-Top Monosed ESR tube, filled between guidelines
Acceptable	2mL minimum EDTA Purple-Top
Unacceptable
Paediatric Requirements
Aliquot Requirements
Sample Type
Minimum Volume
Aliquot Transportation
Clinical Information
Reference Intervals	class="wikitable"	Age	mm/hr
1-30 years	1-10
31-50 years	1-15
51-70 years	1-20
71+ years	1-30

|- | Test Method |Modified Westergen Method performed on Mixrate X20 analyser   |- |Advanced Notice |Not required   |- |Patient Preparation |Not required   |- ! colspan="2" |

Comments

|- | colspan="2" |The ESR is a non-specific test that has limited utility in the monitoring, and diagnosis of diseases that are associated with the acute phase response. This is because analysis methods used to measure the ESR show poor precision and there is significant variation between different methods used.  CRP is the preferred test when assessing inflammatory disease.  

The laboratory will only process a request for an ESR if the request has been discussed with a Pathologist/Haematologist, or if one of the following indications is documented legibly on the request form:  

SLE  

Rheumatoid arthritis  

Kawasaki disease  

Rheumatic fever  

Hodgkins lymphoma  

Giant cell/temporal arteritis  

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)  

Prosthetic joint infection  

Vasculitis  

Any insurance company request  

Any request by a Rheumatologist  

 

A CRP will be substituted when an ESR has been requested without these criteria being met, provided that an appropriate sample has been received.  

ESRs will only be available on serial cards after consultation with a Haematologist. |}