ESR Test (Westergren Method)

ESR Westergren Test: quick answers

ESR Westergren Test full form

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

ESR Westergren Test price

₹149, home sample collection

Normal range (adults)

Men under 50: 0 to 15 mm/hr; Women under 50: 0 to 20 mm/hr more

Done for

Fever or illness that has lasted for weeks; Joint pain or stiffness, to look for inflammatory arthritis; Suspected tuberculosis or other chronic infection

Fasting

Not required

Report

Same day / 24 hours

What is the ESR Westergren Test?

ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tall, thin tube of blood in one hour. Westergren is the name of the standard method and tube used. A faster rate is a general sign of inflammation somewhere in the body.

ESR Westergren Test normal range

ESR rises with age, in pregnancy and with anaemia. A rough upper limit used by some doctors is age divided by 2 for men and age plus 10, divided by 2, for women.

Ranges differ between laboratories and methods. The reference range printed on your own report is the one to read your result against.

What your ESR Westergren Test result means

High ESR

Can be seen with infections, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, anaemia, pregnancy and kidney disease. A very high ESR (above about 100 mm/hr) is more often linked to serious infection, inflammatory disease or myeloma and needs further tests.

Normal ESR

Makes major inflammation less likely but does not rule out disease. ESR is never used alone to make a diagnosis.

Low ESR

Usually has no significance. It can be seen with a high red cell count or some red cell shape disorders.

One result is not a diagnosis. A doctor reads it with your symptoms, history, medicines and other tests.

ESR Westergren Test levels: what does my number mean?

ESR 30 to 50 mm/hr

Raised for most adults, though ESR rises with age and is higher in women and in anaemia. It is a general sign of inflammation and is read with CRP and symptoms. Often checked next: CRP Test.

ESR 100 mm/hr or higher

Very high. It is seen in serious infections, autoimmune disease and some cancers, and needs a doctor's review to find the cause. Often checked next: CRP Test.

Typical adult cut-offs. Read your number against the range printed on your own report, and with a doctor if it is outside it.

Why is the ESR Westergren Test done?

• Fever or illness that has lasted for weeks
• Joint pain or stiffness, to look for inflammatory arthritis
• Suspected tuberculosis or other chronic infection
• Monitoring conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica

What does the ESR Test (Westergren Method) measure?

1 parameter. Expand a group to see the measurements, units and available method details.

The reference interval printed on your actual laboratory report governs interpretation. Intervals can vary by laboratory, method, age, sex and pregnancy. Methods can also vary by processing laboratory.

ESR Westergren Test: sample & preparation

Sample: Blood. Fasting: Not required.

• No fasting is required. A small blood sample is drawn and left to settle for one hour to measure how fast the red cells settle.

Frequently asked questions