ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is a non-specific marker: it does not say what exactly is happening, but it hints at whether there is inflammation in the body. Here is the plain-language version.
| Category | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Women | up to 20 mm/h |
| Men | up to 15 mm/h |
| Older adults | upper limit is higher mm/h |
The normal range depends on age, sex and the method used (Westergren or Panchenkov). In older adults the values are naturally higher. Always check the reference range printed on your lab report.
Leave a sample of blood standing in a tube and the red cells slowly settle to the bottom. When there is inflammation, the blood contains proteins that make red cells stick together, so they settle faster. ESR measures how fast that happens.
That makes ESR an “inflammation detector”: it tells you something is going on, but not what. It is a sensitive marker, but a non-specific one.
A raised ESR most often points to inflammation or infection, but there are many possible reasons.
A low ESR is less common and usually has no clinical significance. It can show up with certain features of the blood. As a rule, it is not something that gets “treated” on its own.
ESR is almost never read on its own — it is looked at alongside the complete blood count (white cells, haemoglobin) and, if needed, C-reactive protein (CRP), which reflects acute inflammation more precisely.
A slight rise after a recent cold is usually nothing to worry about. If your ESR is high and the reason is not clear, that is a reason for further tests, not for self-treatment.
No need to decode the numbers yourself: take a photo of the report and the app explains “ESR” and the rest in plain words — what is normal and what deserves attention.
Get the appOpen in TelegramMost often inflammation or infection, but also a recent injury, pregnancy, anaemia and a range of chronic conditions. It is a non-specific signal — a doctor works out the cause from other tests.
Roughly up to 20 mm/h in women and up to 15 mm/h in men, adjusted for age. The exact range depends on the method and the laboratory — check the figures on your report.
A modest rise often follows a recent infection and is not always a cause for concern. But an ESR that stays high with no clear reason is a reason to see a doctor and look into it further.
This material is for general information only. It is not a medical opinion and does not replace a consultation with a doctor. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory and the method — rely on the range printed on your own report. Your doctor makes the final interpretation. This page is a translation of the Russian original. The medical review applies to the original text.
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