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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