ESR for age

 Q: What's the formula to correct Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) for age?

Answer: Non-specific or benign elevation in ESR can occur in the following situations: 

• age 
• female gender 
• anemia 
• kidney disease 
• obesity 
•  Labs high temperature (common in hot climate) 

Age and female sex are the most common causes in the population for an isolated non-specific elevated ESR. The ballpark (not very specific) formulae to correct the upper limit of the reference range of ESR are 

Men = (age in years)/2 

Female = (age in years + 10)/2

#lab-science

References:

1. Miller A, Green M, Robinson D. Simple rule for calculating normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1983; 286:266. 

2. Arik N, Bedir A, Günaydin M, et al. Do erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels have diagnostic usefulness in patients with renal failure? Nephron 2000; 86:224. 

3. Leff RD, Akre SP. Obesity and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Ann Intern Med 1986; 105:143.