ESRWert

ESR Wert, short for Erythrozyten-Sedimentationsrate, is a blood test used to assess inflammation in the body. It measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a tall, thin tube over one hour. The result is given in millimetres per hour (mm/h). The test is commonly performed using the Westergren method, in which anticoagulated blood is mixed with a buffered saline solution in a standardized tube and left undisturbed; after one hour the height of the sedimented cells is read as the ESR value.

Interpretation of the ESR is non-specific. A higher ESR can indicate inflammatory processes, infections, autoimmune disorders, or malignancy, but it does not diagnose a specific condition. ESR values can be influenced by several factors, including age, sex, pregnancy, anemia, polycythemia, and certain medications. Normal ranges vary by laboratory and by demographic factors; commonly cited upper limits are roughly 15 mm/h for men under 50 and 20 mm/h for women under 50, with higher values often observed in older adults.

Clinical use of the ESR includes helping assess disease activity in inflammatory conditions, guiding further testing, and monitoring response to therapy. It is frequently interpreted alongside symptoms and other markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP); ESR tends to change more slowly than CRP and may lag behind shifts in disease activity.

Limitations include its lack of specificity and susceptibility to non-inflammatory influences. Because of these limitations, the ESR is usually considered as part of a broader diagnostic or monitoring strategy, rather than a stand-alone test. Serial measurements can help track trends over time.