In this section
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Female/Males less than 16 years old 4-10 mm per first hour
Females (greater than 16 years old) 0 – 7 mm per first hour
Males (greater than 16 years old) 0 – 5 mm per first hour
Plasma Viscosity
(mPa/s at 25°C)
Two Key advantages when compared to the ESR test:
- Plasma Viscosity Results are calibrated to a primary standard
- Plasma Viscosity is not altered by co-existing non-related factors e.g. anaemia
| <1.50 mPa/s | Children <3 years
Hypoproteinaemia (can be due to chemotherapy) |
| 1.50 – 1.72 mPa/s | Normal Adult range |
| 1.72 – 1.80 mPa/s | Equivocal result suggest repeat after appropriate time |
| 1.80 – 2.00 mPa/s | Suggestive of chronic condition |
| 2.00 – 2.30 mPa/s | Suggestive of acute condition |
| >2.30 | Suggestive of Myeloma |
| >2.90 | Hyperviscosity. Exclude Macroglobulinaemia as the cause |
Glandular Fever Screen
Limitations for infectious mononucleosis (glandular fever): the test detects heterophile antibodies in whole blood. Approximately 10% of adults and up to 40% of children under the age of 5 years do not produce these antibodies so will give a negative screening test. Always consider the test result in combination with clinical symptoms and results of the white cell differential.
(Last reviewed January 2023)