Complementary and Alternative Healing University  現代中藥辭典

erythrocyte sedimentation rate
 

 by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is the rate at which red blood cells settle in blood with anticoagulant; increased rates are often associated with anemia, inflammatory, tuberculosis, tissue necrosis, cancer or viscosity of blood.

This test measures the distance (in millimeters) that red blood cells settle in a tube of  blood toward the bottom of a specially marked test tube.

There are two methods, the Westergren and the Wintrobe, are being used by laboratories; each method produces slightly different results. Most laboratories use the Westergren method.

Normal value of Westergren method

Adults :

• Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr.
• Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr.
• Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr.
• Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr.

Children

• Newborn: 0 to 2 mm/hr.
• Neonatal to puberty: 3 to 13 mm/hr.