1. What is ESR?

ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) is a common hematology test that measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. It's a non-specific marker of inflammation in the body.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses age-based estimation formulas:

Where:

• \( Age \) — Age in years
• Different formulas apply based on gender

Explanation: ESR values tend to increase with age, and women typically have slightly higher normal values than men of the same age.

3. Importance of ESR Calculation

Details: While ESR is a non-specific test, it can help monitor inflammatory conditions, infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers. Age-adjusted reference ranges provide more accurate interpretation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter age in years and select gender. The calculator will provide an estimated normal ESR range based on these factors.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does ESR increase with age?
A: As people age, they tend to have higher levels of inflammatory proteins like fibrinogen, which increases red blood cell aggregation and sedimentation rate.

Q2: What are normal ESR values by age?
A: Normal values range from 0-15 mm/h for men under 50, 0-20 mm/h for men over 50, 0-20 mm/h for women under 50, and 0-30 mm/h for women over 50.

Q3: When is ESR testing typically ordered?
A: ESR tests are commonly ordered when inflammatory disorders are suspected, such as temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, or when monitoring disease activity.

Q4: What factors can affect ESR results?
A: Pregnancy, anemia, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, certain medications, and technical factors like tube tilt or temperature can affect ESR measurements.

Q5: Is ESR still a relevant test today?
A: While CRP (C-reactive protein) is often preferred as a more specific inflammatory marker, ESR remains valuable particularly for diagnosing and monitoring specific conditions like giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.