Haematology

Preferred Sample Type

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Suitable Specimen Types

EDTA Whole Blood

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

Specimen Volume

4mL

Specimen Transport

Standard transport to laboratory

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Stability

24 hours, providing storage at 2-8°C

General Information

The ESR is used for monitoring changes in acute-phase proteins in patients with an inflammatory response to tissue damage.  It is sensitive to the combined effect of several acute phase proteins, especially fibrinogen but also globulins of large molecular size. The ESR should be used for suspected cases of Temporal or Giant Cell arteritis. 

Notes

Assay Limitations:

A raised ESR result should be interpreted with care if the patient is anaemic or known to have red cell poikilocytosis.

Patients with polycythaemia, spherocytosis or sickle cell anaemia may have falsely low ESR results due to the inability of the packed cells to sediment.

Reference Range

For Adult reference ranges click here

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Monday, 20 February 2023

Modification Date

Friday, 03 March 2023

General Information

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Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962