Menu

An expert resource for medical professionals
Provided FREE as a service to women’s health

The Alliance for
Global Women’s Medicine
A worldwide fellowship of health professionals working together to
promote, advocate for and enhance the Welfare of Women everywhere

An Educational Platform for FIGO

The Global Library of Women’s Medicine
Clinical guidance and resources

A vast range of expert online resources. A FREE and entirely CHARITABLE site to support women’s healthcare professionals

The Global Academy of Women’s Medicine
Teaching, research and Diplomates Association

Laboratory Tests

This section provides detailed information on a wide range of laboratory tests relevant to women's medicine

A rapid reference

ESR

The ESR is the speed at which non-clotted red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube.

Increased rates of RBC settling are caused by changes in the plasma proteins. In some diseases, the ESR can be particularly rapid (high ESR). These include:

  • Infection
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Auto-immune diseases
  • Trauma/tissue injury
  • Many cancers

Normal Values*

Men 0-15 mm/hr
Women 0-20 mm/hr
Children 0-10 mm/hr

*These are general values taken from a variety of sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one type of testing protocol to another.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300