ESR Test: meaning, normal range in female and male, and more
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The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an essential parameter of a blood test that is generally recommended by your doctor if he/she suspects any kind of inflammation or infection in your body. In this article, get in-depth knowledge about what ESR is, its normal range in males and females, and the inference that can be drawn from abnormal levels of ESR.
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In this Article
What is an ESR Test?
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test performed to measure the rate at which the red blood cells settle at the bottom of the test tube containing the blood sample. This test is generally done to diagnose any condition that might lead to inflammation. The rate at which red blood cells settle down gives your doctor an idea about any inflammation or acute infection in your body.
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What is the normal range of ESR in females?
The normal range of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is calculated using the Westergren method, which is considered a gold standard for measuring ESR. In this method, the blood sample is mixed with sodium citrate in a Westergren-Katz tube and is set vertically for one hour at room temperature. After an hour, how far the red blood cells have settled is measured.
Typically, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR normal range test results lie between 0 to 20 millimetres per hour. However, there are certain factors that can affect the results. The ESR blood test is used to monitor inflammatory diseases. The test measures the rate at which red blood cells settle in a sample of blood. The higher the level of inflammation proteins, the more quickly the red blood cells fall. There are many different kinds of infections and cancers that can increase the level of inflammation. The ESR can help the doctor identify whether the patient has a systemic inflammatory infection or cancer. The ESR test is commonly ordered when the patient has symptoms of an inflammatory disease. It can also help the physician monitor the effectiveness of treatment. In addition, the test can be used to rule out autoimmune diseases. The lab may also order additional tests. There are several different types of ESR tests.
On average, the normal reference range for ESR is approximately 1 – 20 mm/h for females. According to the University of Rochester Medical Centre, the normal range of ESR in females at different age groups when calculated using the Westergren method is
| S.No. | Age Group (years) | Normal ESR range (mm/h) |
| 1. | < 20 | 0 – 10 |
| 2. | 20 – 50 | 0 – 20 |
| 3. | > 50 | 0 – 30 |
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What is the normal range of ESR in males?
On average, the normal reference range for ESR is approximately 1 – 13 mm/h for males. According to the University of Rochester Medical Centre, the normal range of ESR in males at different age groups when calculated using the Westergren method is
| S.No. | Age Group (years) | Normal ESR range (mm/h) |
| 1. | < 20 | 0 – 10 |
| 2. | 20 – 50 | 0 – 15 |
| 3. | > 50 | 0 – 20 |
What happens if the ESR level is abnormal?
The abnormal levels of ESR can indicate different diseases depending upon how much variation is there from the reference range.
Low Levels of ESR
If the level of the ESR are lower than the reference range, it may be an indicator of one of the following health conditions:
- Leukaemia
- Sickle cell anemia
- Congestive heart failure
- High red blood cell and white blood cell count
- Increased blood thickness
- Low levels of the protein fibrinogen
High levels of ESR
If the ESR levels are slightly higher than the normal range, it might indicate for one of the following health conditions:
- Anaemia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disease
- Lymphoma
- Abnormalities in red blood cells
- Bone infection
- Tuberculosis
- Systemic infection
- Heart infection
If the levels of ESR in your test report are greater than 100 mm/h, it may be an indication of any of the following disorders:
- White blood cell cancer (Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia)
- Plasma cell cancer (multiple myeloma)
- Blood vessel inflammation (hypersensitivity vasculitis)
- Temporal arteritis
Takeaway
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) tells the rate at which your red blood cells settle down when kept at room temperature. The abnormal levels of ESR can be an indication of some underlying health disorders. Now that you know what the reference range of ESR is and what the abnormal levels of ESR may indicate, you can better study and analyze your test report.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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How can I get my ESR test done?
You can get your ESR test done easily at Redcliffe labs. You can either call our center or book it directly through the official website for booking your test. In both cases, we will send our phlebotomist free of cost to collect your sample.
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How much will the ESR test cost me?
At Redcliffe labs, we provide the Haemogram test that contains the CBC test and the ESR tests that cost Rs 840/-. However, you can get this test done at Rs 299/- all across India under special discounts.
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When can a doctor recommend the ESR test?
Your doctor can recommend you the ESR test if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Fever,
- Headache,
- Anaemia,
- Loss of appetite,
- Shoulder or neck pain,
- Joint stiffness,
- Weight loss.
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Ms. Srujana is Managing Editor of Cogito137, one of India’s leading student-run science communication magazines. I have been working in scientific and medical writing and editing since 2018. I am also associated with the quality assurance team of scientific journal editing. I am majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Biology at IISER Kolkata.
4 replies on “ESR Test: meaning, normal range in female and male, and more”
Why Erithrocyte sedimentation rate increase in female more than male
Thank you for your enquiry. You may ask your query on our health community https://redcliffelabs.com/health-community/ and you would receive an appropriate response and along with that you would also receive more content on health management on this platform
My ESR rate is 62. What kind of a doctor should I be saying?
Thank you for your enquiry. You may ask your query on our health community https://redcliffelabs.com/health-community/ and you would receive an appropriate response and along with that you would also receive more content on Health management on this platform.