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Blutwerte · Marker

BSG

Blutsenkungsgeschwindigkeit · ESR · Erythrozyten-Sedimentationsrate · Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Entzündungsmarker
Einheit:
mm/h
Abbreviation
BSG / ESR

ESR quantifies the rate at which erythrocytes settle at the bottom of a test tube over one hour, reflecting the presence of inflammation.

Reference Ranges

Age Group

Reference
020mm/h
0
20
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · mm/h

Reference ranges can vary based on age and sex; women and older adults may have higher normal ranges.

Overview

Übersicht

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also known as Blutsenkungsgeschwindigkeit (BSG) or Erythrozyten-Sedimentationsrate, is a blood test that measures the rate at which red blood cells sediment in a period of one hour. It is a non-specific marker of inflammation and is often used in conjunction with other tests, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), to assess inflammatory conditions. Clinically, ESR is significant in diagnosing and monitoring diseases characterized by systemic inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis, temporal arteritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Elevated ESR levels can indicate the presence of an inflammatory process, but they lack specificity and can be influenced by various factors. For athletes and biohackers, ESR may not directly correlate with performance or longevity but can provide insights into underlying inflammatory states that might affect recovery and overall health. However, ESR values can be confounded by factors such as age, sex, pregnancy, and anemia, and are not time-of-day sensitive. It is important to interpret ESR results in the context of a comprehensive clinical assessment.

Klinische Bedeutung

Elevated ESR values suggest the presence of inflammation, which may be due to infections, autoimmune diseases, or chronic inflammatory conditions. Low ESR values are generally not clinically significant but may occur in conditions like polycythemia or extreme leukocytosis.

Dynamics

Trend Interpretation

Rising Values

Progressively rising ESR values suggest worsening inflammation or infection. Re-test in 4 weeks if outside optimal range.

Falling Values

Falling ESR values may indicate resolution of inflammation or effective treatment.

Re-test Interval

4 weeks if outside optimal range

Etiology

Causes — High & Low

Cause

Elevated Levels

  • Chronic inflammation
  • Infections
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Cancer
  • Kidney disease
Cause

Low Levels

  • Polycythemia
  • Extreme leukocytosis
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Hypofibrinogenemia
Protocol

How to Optimize

Lever

Lifestyle

  • Regular exercise
  • Stress management
  • Adequate sleep
Lever

Nutrition

  • Anti-inflammatory diet
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Fruits and vegetables
Lever

Supplementation

  • Omega-3 supplements
  • Curcumin
  • Vitamin D

Note:

Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplementation, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Testing Guidelines

Fasting Not Required
Not Time-Sensitive

Testing Frequency

As needed for monitoring inflammatory conditions or as directed by a healthcare provider.

Interfering Factors

  • Anemia
  • Menstruation
  • Pregnancy

Related Peptides & Hormones

C Reactive Protein

Correlated with

hormone or peptide

Open Research Questions

Current research suggests that the value of calprotectin as a biomarker for treatment response and flare after tapering in rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear, with no established reference ranges or optimal targets. Researchers have not yet established the specific confounders affecting calprotectin levels in various inflammatory conditions. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term prognostic significance of calprotectin in disease progression and its comparative effectiveness against traditional markers like ESR and CRP.

18 Research Publications

475

Total Citations

10

Human/RCT

6.3

Avg. Influence

2025

Latest

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Filter
#01

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein Measurements and Their Relevance in Clinical Medicine.

Bray Christopher, et al. · WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin · 2016

ReviewInfluence16.0
320
This review examined the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as markers of systemic inflammation. Researchers found that these tests should be interpreted alongside clinical history due to their lack of sensitivity and specificity. Discrepancies between ESR and CRP measurements were noted, particularly in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Key findings

  1. 01Researchers observed that ESR and CRP are commonly used to assess inflammation but have different sensitivities and specificities.
  2. 02They found that discrepancies between ESR and CRP results can arise due to various physiological factors.
  3. 03The study highlighted the importance of using these tests alongside clinical evaluations for accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
View on PubMed
#02

From bench to bedside: Calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9) as a biomarker in rheumatoid arthritis.

Inciarte-Mundo José, et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2022

HumanInfluence5.0
101
Researchers found that calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9) levels are significantly elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and correlate better with disease activity than ESR or CRP. The study suggests that calprotectin may independently predict radiographic progression in RA. However, its role in assessing treatment response remains unclear.

Key findings

  1. 01Researchers observed higher levels of calprotectin in the blood and joint fluid of RA patients.
  2. 02They found that calprotectin levels correlate more closely with disease activity than traditional inflammatory markers.
  3. 03Researchers noted that calprotectin can predict the progression of joint damage in RA.
View on PubMed
#03

Anti-inflammatory potential of remimazolam: A laboratory and clinical investigation.

Human
14
Researchers investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of remimazolam, an anesthetic agent, and found that it exhibited antioxidant properties. The study showed that patients receiving remimazolam had smaller increases in CRP levels post-surgery compared to those receiving dexmedetomidine. This suggests remimazolam may have beneficial effects on postoperative inflammation.
View on PubMed
#04

Frequency and Clinical Significance of Elevated IgG4 in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

Review
14
This systematic review assessed the frequency and clinical significance of elevated IgG4 in rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers found a significant correlation between IgG4 levels and disease activity, as well as with inflammatory markers like ESR and CRP. The study suggests that IgG4 may serve as a potential biomarker for disease activity.
View on PubMed
#05

Investigations in systemic vasculitis. The role of the laboratory.

ReviewInfluence1.0
12
This study reviewed the role of laboratory tests in diagnosing systemic vasculitis. Researchers found that while ESR and CRP are commonly used, they are nonspecific and do not differentiate between disease activity and other inflammatory sources.
View on PubMed
#06

Expression and Clinical Significance of lncRNA NEAT1 in Patients with Spinal Tuberculosis.

HumanInfluence3.0
11
This study explored the expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in spinal tuberculosis patients. Researchers found that NEAT1 levels were significantly elevated in patients and correlated with clinical characteristics and inflammatory markers like CRP and ESR. High NEAT1 expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor for patient outcomes.
View on PubMed
#07

Standardization of methods for determining ESR.

Review
2
This study focused on the standardization of methods for determining ESR. Researchers observed that modern approaches to automation and regular quality control are essential for improving the accuracy of ESR measurements in clinical practice.
View on PubMed
#08

Clinical laboratory analytes and platelet-associated parameters as surrogate markers of subclinical inflammation in latent tuberculosis infection.

Human
1
This study identified clinical laboratory analytes as surrogate markers of subclinical inflammation in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Researchers found that elevated ESR and platelet parameters were significantly associated with LTBI. The study suggests these markers could help predict the risk of progression from LTBI to active TB.
View on PubMed
#09

Scavenger receptor-A is a sensitive disease activity biomarker in ESR and CRP normal rheumatoid arthritis.

Cao Shixiong, et al. · International journal of rheumatic diseases · 2024

Human
This study evaluated scavenger receptor-A (SRA) as a biomarker for disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients with normal ESR and CRP. Researchers observed that SRA levels correlated with disease activity indices and were more sensitive than ESR and CRP in identifying active disease. SRA may serve as a promising marker for assessing disease activity.

Key findings

  1. 01SRA levels were correlated with disease activity in RA patients, including swollen and tender joint counts.
  2. 02The study involved 162 RA patients, along with osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls, to validate SRA's effectiveness.
  3. 03SRA may serve as a sensitive biomarker for assessing disease activity in RA, especially in patients with normal ESR and CRP levels.
View on PubMed
#10

Improved diagnostic markers for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in COPD patients.

Long Zhiwei, et al. · Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2024

Human
Researchers found that invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is increasingly common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and that current diagnostic methods are limited. They identified several blood markers that could improve early diagnosis of IPA, which is crucial for reducing mortality in these patients.

Key findings

  1. 01Researchers observed that C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) showed high sensitivity for diagnosing IPA in COPD patients.
  2. 02They found that combinations of biomarkers, such as CRP and ESR, had promising diagnostic potential, although no significant differences were noted between single and combined biomarkers.
  3. 03The study highlighted the potential of ceruloplasmin (CER) as a new marker for diagnosing IPA, warranting further research.
View on PubMed

Publication Trend

Research publications about BSG over time

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