ESR – Normal Range, Low, High

What is ESR?

ESR is an abbreviated form for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is often referred to as the sedimentation rate or the sed rate. An ESR blood test is usually done to check and understand the degree of inflammation in the body such as cancers, various kinds of infections as well as autoimmune disorders and diseases. It is a non specific and an easy test which is really cost effective as compared to other blood tests.

An ESR blood test has some limitations which includes facts such as an inability to determine the cause of inflammation in the body as well as the exact location of the medical abnormality. Hence it is a non specific test, but can be used as an aiding tool to monitor the progress of any inflammatory disease in the body.

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Due to the limited applicability of the ESR blood test, it is usually carried out along with several other tests to arrive at conclusive results and diagnosis.

The ESR blood test: An explanation

The erythrocytes are the fully grown blood cells that have hemoglobin which facilitates the process of carrying oxygen from the lungs to the various organs and tissues of the body. Therefore, the name i.e. erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR itself conveys the meaning, which refers to the sedimentation process of the erythrocytes.

The ESR test commences with the collection of a sample of blood that is drawn from the vein in the arm of the patient. The blood sample is then placed in a tube which is left in an upright arrangement without any further disturbance.

Over the course of time the red blood cells start descending at their own pace. This pace or rate of descent of the red blood cells in an hour is what determines the ESR value.  The ESR value is reported and measured in mm/hr or millimeters per hour. In other words, the distance (in millimeters) that is travelled by the red blood cells in one hour comprises the ESR value.

When the body is afflicted by any form of inflammation, then it leads to excessive proportion of fibrinogen. This causes the red blood cells to attach to one another. Afterwards, the blood cells produce stacks called rouleaux. Such substances have a general tendency to descend faster. Hence, the faster the red blood cells settle, the greater are the chances of increased inflammation in the body.

ESR blood test normal range

The normal ESR values in mm/hr are listed below and classified as per the age and gender.

  • For men above 50 yrs the normal ESR value is below 20
  • For men under 50 yrs the normal ESR value is below 15
  • For women over 50 yrs the normal ESR value is below 30
  • For women below 50 yrs the normal ESR value is below 20
  • For newborns the normal ESR value ranges from 0 to 2
  • For neonatal till puberty the normal ESR value ranges from 3 to 13

The above ESR values are indicative of the normal range. However, one must be aware of the fact that a number of factors can lead to abnormal ESR values. These factors are explained below

High ESR, value above the normal range

A mild or moderate increase from the normal values of ESR can be considered as an indication of bodily inflammations and the presence of other conditions such as anemia, aging, pregnancy, diabetes, cardiac diseases and some types of infections.

A very high increase from the normal ESR values can be considered as an indication of severe inflammations, extreme infections, cancer that affects the cells of the immune system, multiple myeloma or bone marrow tumor, inflammatory complications of the muscles as well as inflammation of the temporal arteries which can include chewing difficulties, headaches and on certain occasions impaired vision.

An ESR test that shows steadily rising results can be considered as an indication of inflammation that is slowly increasing.

Low ESR, value below the normal range

An ESR value that is under the normal range does not bear any major significance but can be considered as an indication of conditions such as sickle cell anemia, polycythemia, protein irregularities and extreme leukocytosis.

Conclusion

ESR tests were conducted in the past when better methods to measure body inflammations were unavailable.

However, the medical conditions that are mentioned above are some of the causes that may result in abnormal ESR test values. Such conditions can either bring down the ESR values or elevate it above the normal range. But one should be aware, that the above listed conditions are not the only ones. There can be several other conditions that can affect the ESR values.

Hence it is important to discuss the test results with the doctor. During consultations, it is also vital that individuals inform the doctor about the current intake of any prescription or over the counter medications.

Most of all, it is important to remember that an individual may be afflicted with certain medical conditions, but an ESR test will show normal results. It is the precise reason why an ESR test is not a stand-alone test and is usually conducted in conjunction with several other tests.

59 Comments

  1. sir i have completed E.S.R then result 70mm iam suffering from the cough and fever please give me any suggestion

  2. y.satyanarayana

    MY mother is suffering from severe joint pains and mild fever (99.1/99.3). The ESR results 70mm and CRP ratio is 1:32 kindly give your suggestion and medicens.

    Thanking you sir,
    Yours Highness
    Satyanarayana, Eluru

  3. SACHIN

    SIR
    MY ESR IS 45 HOW CAN IMANAGE IT OR ANY OPTION?

  4. Ranveer

    Tirupathy i suggest u as a case of pulmonary kochs please consult a doctor immediately… N really if this is the case dont panic its easily curable.

  5. DR. CHETNA PATEL

    HELLO SIR , I AM DENTIST HAVING ONE FEMALE PATIENT WITH COMPLAINT OF BLEEDING GUMS ,ITS NOT BECAUSE OF PERIODONTITIS ,HER BLOOD REPORT IS BEEN DONE AND ALL VALUES ARE NORMLE EXCEPT ESR VALUE ESR IS 86 mm\hour.what shoud i do

  6. MANJU BAG

    my ESR IS 83mm/1hr(EIGHTY THREE).WHAT IS THE REASON

  7. my brother esr test so high 125mm tell me how control and what is the reason coz his spinal operation and cage fixation his 7 8 carries operation date is 29/12/06 and use medicine my MYRINE P AND VITA 6 18 MONTHS BUT LAST 8 MONTHS HIS ESR AGAIN HIGH FIRST TEST 58 THEN 90 AND 92 AND NOW 125 CONDITION COUGH AND FEVER AND VERY WEAK HB%9.3

    BEST REGARD
    ZULFIQAR AHMAD LODHI
    PAKISTAN

  8. B.Premila

    MY ESR IS 45, HOW CAN I MANAGE IT OR ANY OPTION?

    • AS Randhawa

      I am 73 & esr is 50 on 16.12.2021 & 15 on 01.11.2021. Admitted to EMC Hospital 01.11.2021 to 06.11.2021 for Dengue & Typhidot.Please advise

  9. Kathrine D'Cruz

    Sir,

    I am 44 years old woman, Mr. Husband is 47, I have 2 daughters 18 & 13,
    MY ESR is 66 what is the reason, kindly advice how to reduce this

  10. amandeep

    My father esr is 32 what is the reason can you tel me

  11. karthi

    past one my son sufrng frm fvr . we testd the esr he s hvng 89mm kindly aedviče what v hve to nw

  12. najma hina

    my esr is 55 wats the reason plz tell

  13. Srinu Babu

    Dear Sir,
    This srinu babu(male). Age 28.I am suffering from joint pains. I consult orthopedic. I tested by ESR test. In results ESR is 55mm/hour. I want to know how to cure and what is the problem. please kindly tell me anybody. Thank you.

  14. anil

    Me suffering from left kneee joint pains and swelling The ESR results 70mm

  15. sir, im pankajam 50yrs, my esr 50, last week i hve fever and everyday headache?

  16. ayush

    I am 65 year old male
    my E.s.r test shows (Wintrobe)
    observed : 14 mm for 1st hr.
    corrected: 04 mm for 1st hr.
    normal range male : 0-9 mm for 1et hr.
    sir ,
    please tell me what it shows it is normal or something serious

  17. madhav

    Dear Doctor

    My wife got cough continuously, then we taken to hospital, there they done all the tests and said have water in chest , and ESR is 42mm etc… may I know what diesis she have

  18. Debbie Patterson

    my ESR is 19, do I have rheumatoid or no?

  19. SHRAVANI JANGAM

    MY ESR IS 103 ANY REASON?

  20. Savini

    Sir, My Husband’s ( 35 yrs )ESR result is 102 mm since last 8 years. according to western medicine ,Doctors said he’s having vasculitis.but the recommended medicine for that is not to be taken more than 6 months.because of this we had to change it to Ayurvedic.. symptoms are having fever in the evening., muscle pains specially on legs.,headache every now and then.,red spots on skin (some times) please tell me anybody how to cure from this. we are helpless with this….

    • GIRIJA

      Hello Savini, I am in Tamil nadu. You can contact me for ESR problem – 9944246958
      Girija V.

  21. DIPAK PRADHAN

    sir my ES is 50 mm / 1st hrs(westergen)(, ASO – POSITIVE AND )C- REACTIVE PROTEIN-POSITIVE WHAT problem and any saggetion? thank sir

  22. ansar

    my ESR is 25 fever throat infection and lesion in mouth ie infection ? plz diognose it

  23. Yogita

    My Mother is 48 now and her ESR range is 111 as shown in her latest blood test report she is also a arthritis patient and she is on meditation for the same.

    Please suggest as in how she should control her ESR

    Thanks
    Yogita

    • Jonas Tee

      I am is 34 years old now ESR range is high to 40 as shown in my latest blood test report
      please let me know why the ESR range will high
      Please suggest as in how she should control her ESR

      Thanks
      Jonas Tee

  24. shoa

    I have suffer from cough,congestion blocking nose,ear pain and my ear is48 plz suggest me ian worried.

  25. U.K. GUPTA

    dear sir, i am 52 from last one week i am suffering from cough and cold. my ESR is 61.pls suggest, i am worried.

  26. joseph

    esr when high indicates a certain disease kindly those who esr are high should go for check up to acertain they dont have any of disease associated with high esr

  27. Jag deep

    My ESR is 30 & no problem please suggest who it will be low.

  28. Durgesh Singh

    I am 20 years old and my ESR value is 76. Please tell me how to reduce it.

  29. manzu

    dear sir, my wife age 32 . his ESR 40. please suggest me.

  30. Abdirahman

    My heart beat rate is above 102 per minute and i have blood pressure when i take Bp medicines my hear beat become 90. My age is 44,
    Would you give me advice about my problem

  31. My age 25 year.sufarin g from right finger strass facture my esr 2mm in 1st hour .what ar reasan ?

  32. dileep

    Sir my mother esr is 89mm.she is suffaring cold from 1month.so please the tell treatment

  33. Rakesh Kumar

    I am 34 yrs old, and most often my ESR lavel is higher side, right now it is 21, I am suffering from mild throat infection,with cough..and the symptoms are during evening burning sensation in both legs, I have a history of Pulmonary Cochs disease in 2010, now completely cured. Please suggest what to do
    Regards Rakesh

  34. Sheela Sharma

    sir i have completed E.S.R then result 70mm iam suffering from the cough and fever please give me any suggestion .Age is 60 years.

  35. tanpuii

    sir i am 18 years old female and my esr in 1st hour:04mm
    2nd hour: mm
    is it normal or i have to take more good care of my health

  36. Wajid

    My ESR is 6 (mm/hr). What does it means?

  37. garima

    sur i m 18years old and i esr is 40mm is it very rickyy

  38. sir my ESR value is 15, and my age now running 19 years,and i have headache at the back side of head,feaver is coming oftenly,but not conitnusly ,can u please suggest my wt precations i sholud take

  39. Umar

    I m psychiatric patient and I am 35 age old, my esr blood report shows 28 level
    What does it mean and it is normal.
    Thanks

  40. Biju

    My doughter ESR count in 120 she is hospitalised but not identfy reason please help me

  41. Prabhu

    Hi, my wife age is 23 and her ESR value is 60/hh. can you tell me what could be the reasons for it. She get regular fever and backache.

  42. Hemant

    sir my wife is 24 & her ESR level is 125,this time she has joint pain & some time 100 *C fever. so sir please suggest me what can i do & Medicine.

  43. Hemant

    sir my wife is 24yrs & her ESR level is 125,this time she has joint pain & some time 100 *C fever. so sir please suggest me what can i do & Medicine.

  44. Shirley Elliott

    My ESR is 2 mm/h. My Dr is not concerned about this but I am. What does it mean?

  45. fehmi Awais

    I have high uric acid n 30mm esr . Is this ok or not ? I have pain in my all joints

  46. Priyanka

    ESR is 56. Is there anything to worry about? Please give appropriate suggestions to recover this problem as early as possible.

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