plasma viscosity (PV)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Normal values at room temperature are usually in the range of 1.50-1.70 mPa/s. Plasma viscosity is affected by the concentration of large plasma proteins, particularly those with pronounced axial asymmetry - fibrinogen and some immunoglobulins. Lower levels of plasma viscosity are seen in neonates because of lower levels of proteins, particularly fibrinogen. There is a slight increase in viscosity in the elderly as fibrinogen increases. There is no difference between males and females.
Plasma viscosity is not affected by anaemia (unlike ESR) and results are available within 15 minutes.