Laboratory test
ESR
Other names and abbreviations: Biernacki reaction, ESR
The rate at which red blood cells settle. A non-specific marker of inflammation that rises more slowly than CRP.
ESR is a test with a long history in Poland (Edmund Biernacki). A raised ESR may accompany infections and rheumatic diseases, but also pregnancy and anaemia. The result increases with age.
Typical ranges in adults
| Parameter | Typical range | What a deviation may mean |
|---|---|---|
| ESR | M: up to 15 mm/h · W: up to 20 mm/h (people under 50) | after 50 the range is higher |
The ranges are approximate and differ between laboratories; they also depend on age, sex and pregnancy. A result outside the range doesn't always mean illness – discuss it with a doctor.
When it is done
With suspected inflammatory and rheumatic diseases, in screening tests.
How to prepare
Usually no special preparation is needed. In the morning before the blood draw, it's best not to eat a heavy breakfast – ask at reception.
