Preferred Specimen(s)
- 3 mL of EDTA whole blood or
- 3 ml whole blood 3.2% sodium citrate
Instructions Ship samples to laboratory immediately upon collection
Transport Container EDTA vial or Sodium citrate vial
Transport Temperature Room temperature or Refrigerated
Reject Criteria Received frozen
Methodology Westergren Method
Clinical Significance The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also called a “sedimentation rate,” or”Biernacki Reaction,” is a non-specific measure of inflammation that is commonly used as a medical screening test. The ESR is increased by any cause or focus of inflammation. The ESR is decreased in sickle cell anemia, polycythemia, and congestive heart failure. The basal ESR is slightly higher in females.
ESR testing should be performed within 12 hours of specimen collection. A better alternative acute inflammatory marker is C reactive Protein (CRP).