Question

Explain in short about the Westergren method of ESR.

Answer 1

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR):

• If a blood sample mixed with an anticoagulant like Trisodium citrate and kept undisturbed for some time in an ESR measuring tube, blood cells being denser than plasma, moves towards the bottom of tubes and settler down. The rate of setting down of the blood cells is called Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. The ESR measurement can be done by two methods.

1. Westergren method
2. Wintrobe method
3. In most of the pathological laboratories, only the Westergren method is used for ESR testing. Hence, here this method is described.
4. Westergreen tube is filled up to zero points with the blood containing anticoagulants. This tube is kept legitimately in a verticle position in ESR stand.
5. After an hour the upper level of erythrocytes is read in the ESR tube. This is the value of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
6. The ESR value of a healthy person is as follows:

• Male = 0 – 16 mm per hour.
• Female = 0 – 20 mm per hour.

1. If the rate of ESR is more than the normal value, it indicates towards irregularities in the body. Value of ESR increases in many chronic diseases like tuberculosis and inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma or allergy, lymphatic inflammation etc.
2. Moreover, the value of ESR increases during pregnancy, Anaemia and with an increase in Age. These days Automated mini ESR machine is used to enhance the accuracy in the value of ESR. The machine works at a controlled temperature of 18°C. In the traditional methods, temperature regulation is not possible and a chance of 25 – 30% error exists.