Department of Laboratory Medicine
University of Washington
 
Clinical assay interference and limitations

RBC Sedimentation Rate [ESR]

Methodology: Westergren ESR system

Interferences:

1. Plasma factors: Increases in fibrinogen and to a lesser extent globulin alters rouleaux formation and may cause an increase in the ESR.

2. Red Cell Factors: size or mass of red cells will determine their rate of fall. An elevated ESR is seen in severe anemia. The ESR will be low with sickle cell disease and spherocytosis as these cells are unable to aggregate and rouleaux.

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Created: July 19, 2002
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