Normal Values of the Adults (Westergren method):

• Men under 50 years old: less than 15 mm/hr

• Men over 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr

• Women under 50 years old: less than 20 mm/hr

• Women over 50 years old: less than 30 mm/hr

An increased ESR rate may be due to:

• Anemia 

• Kidney disease 

• Osteomyelitis 

• Pregnancy 

• Rheumatic fever 

• Rheumatoid arthritis 

• Syphilis 

• Systemic lupus erythematosus 

• Thyroid disease 

• Tuberculosis 

• Other inflammatory conditions 

Very high ESR levels occur with:

• Giant cell arteritis 

• Hyperfibrinogenemia (increased fibrinogen levels in the blood) 

• Multiple myeloma 

• Macroglobulinemia - primary 

• Necrotizing vasculitis 

• Polymyalgia rheumatica

• Cancer

Lower-than-normal levels occur with: 

• Congestive heart failure

• Hyperviscosity

• Hypofibrinogenemia (decreased fibrinogen levels)

• Low plasma protein (due to liver or kidney disease)

• Polycythemia

• Sickle cell anemia