In blood sedimentation rate (BSG; synonyms: Blood Cell Sedimentation (BKS), Blood Cell Sedimentation Rate; Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)) is a laboratory parameter that changes in inflammatory processes.
This method is used to determine the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate). For this purpose, the blood with the added substances is poured into a standing pipette. After one hour, it is read where the supernatant, i.e., the blood plasma, stands.
The procedure
Material needed
- EDTA blood
- Special ESR tube (3.8% sodium citrate solution)
Preparation of the patient
- Not known
Disruptive factors
- Not known
Standard values
| Gender | Normal value of the 1st hour in mm |
| Women, < 50 years | < 20 |
| Women, > 50 years | < 30 |
| Men, < 50 years | < 15 |
| Men, > 50 years | < 20 |
Indications
- Suspected infection
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Anemia (anemia)
- Autoimmune diseases, unspecified
- Hyperlipoproteinemia (lipid metabolism disorder)
- Infections of all kinds
- Metastatic tumors, unspecified
- Nephrotic syndrome – collective term for symptoms occurring in various diseases of the glomerulus (renal corpuscles); symptoms include proteinuria (excretion of protein in urine) with protein loss greater than 1 g/m²/body surface/d; hypoproteinemia, peripheral edema due to hypalbuminemia of < 2.5 g/dl in serum, hyperlipoproteinemia (dyslipidemia)
- Plasmocytoma (multiple myeloma).
- Oral contraceptives (“the pill”)
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
Interpretation of lowered values
- Taking anti-inflammatory drugs (anti-inflammatory drugs) such as diclofenac.
- Polyglobulia – excessive multiplication of erythrocytes (red blood cells).
Other indications
- The determination of CRP (C-reactive protein) should be preferred, especially since it subsides more quickly after infection.