Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Esr)

ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), is a blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in your body. A sed rate test isn't a stand-alone diagnostic tool, but it can help your doctor diagnose or monitor the progress of an inflammatory disease. There are two commonly used methods for measuring ESR. Westergren method Wintrobe method Westergren tube: The Westregren tube is open at both ends. It is 30 cm in length and 2.5 mm in diameter. The lower 20 cm are marked with 0 at the top and 200 at the buttom. It contains about 2 ml of blood. Requirements : EDTA blood Westergren tube Westergren stand Rubber bulb (sucker) As the erythrocytes sediments, in a period of one hours, 4 stages can be observed Stage I: First 15 mimutes It is initial period of aggregation during which rouleaux are formed and the sediment rate is low. Stage II: next 15 minutes Formation of fine threads by fibrinogen and globulin resulting in network formation occurs during this stage.The rouleaux of red cells get trapped in the mesh of fibrin and globulin network and becomes heavier which starts settling rapidly. Stage III: next 15 minute Rapid fall of protein