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Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

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Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

ESR (using the Westergren method) is an indirect measurement of the degree of inflammation present in patients suspected of having inflammatory conditions. It is among the most frequently ordered tests worldwide. It measures the sedimentation of erythrocytes in a thin capillary tube under the influence of acute phase proteins and is reliable, reproducible, and sensitive. Capillary photometric method offers, in a very short measurement time, a precise, reliable and repeatable result, free from extrinsic and intrinsic variables.

At Enfer Medical, ESR testing is performed using validated laboratory methods, supporting accurate and timely analysis to inform clinical decision-making and patient management.

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Clinical Details

Increased levels of certain proteins such as fibrinogen or immunoglobulins, which are increased in inflammation, cause the erythrocytes to fall more rapidly. A high ESR indicates an increase in inflammation that may be caused by one or more conditions such as autoimmune disease, infections, or tumours. Due to the non-specificity of the ESR test, it is generally used in conjunction with other tests to determine the presence of increased inflammatory activity, however, it is still one of the essential prognostic criteria in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.

 

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Sample Type &
Volume Required

Whole Blood EDTA 3ml

Enfer Medical Tests/Assays

Enfer Medical offers the Starrsed RS/ Alifax Test 1 2.0 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.

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Patient

Request Form

For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.

Enfer Medical Portal

Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.

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24 hours

Results are available next working day.

7 Days a Week

This assay is available seven days a week.

Packaging

The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:

  • Primary leak-proof container – tube or vial containing the sample.
  • Secondary watertight container, with absorbent material, intended to protect the primary container.
  • Outer container protects the secondary container.
  • Patient Request forms must be placed between the secondary container and the outer shipping container.


Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.

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Storage & Stability

Specimens must be tested within 24hrs of collection and stored at 2-8°C. Specimen stored at room temperature must be tested within 6hrs.

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Transporting
Samples

In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.

Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.

Acceptance/Rejection
of Samples

In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:

  • Samples received beyond the stability limits and/or not at the correct temperature indicated for each test.
  • Incorrect sample type received.
  • Leaking samples, sample not received or sample insufficient for analysis as stated below within sample requirements.
  • Non-compliant samples or request forms i.e. those missing sample date information, missing sample test request and/or missing sample site/type information.
  • Samples received without the necessary patient identifiers.
Clients will be provided with guidance on Sample Receipt Anomalies.

Our Services

Service
Health & Wellness
General health and wellness testing can include a variety of tests, depending on the needs of the individual or recommendations of
Find Out More
Service
Sexual Health
Regular STI screening facilitates early treatment and reduces the long-term consequences of infection.
Find Out More
Service
Respiratory Health
Rapid early pathogen identification has important treatment and infection control implications. See our range of tests here.
Find Out More
Service
Reproductive & Female Health
Hormonal analysis is hugely beneficial to identifying problems that can arise during the reproductive years.
Find Out More
Service
All Services
View the full suite of services at Enfer Medical here.......
Find Out More
Result Values:
Quantitative results for ESR are reported in numeric value in mm/hr. Please contact us for more information on the reference ranges used at Enfer Medical.
Accessing

Your Results

Following receipt at the laboratory, results should be available on the next working day and will be reported to the referring clinician via the Enfer Medical Client Portal or in a format agreed with clients.

ESR

Established clients can login to the portal using the link above.

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