What determines the rate of soe in the blood. Increased ESR in the blood, what does it mean? Reasons in physiology

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non-specific reaction, a single functional indicator that reflects the intensity of the inflammatory or autoimmune process in the human body.

This simple, cheap and popular laboratory test, presented in a general analysis, allows you to evaluate the rate of separation of blood into a liquid transparent part (plasma) and red blood cells.

In medical practice, the phenomenon of erythrocyte sedimentation was already known in the Middle Ages, when the method of bloodletting was widely used. During this procedure, doctors noticed that the released blood stratified into two parts over time. The test was put into practice more than 100 years ago and has stood the test of time to this day.

In 1924 T.P. Panchenkov proposed a micromethod for determining ESR. Its essence is as follows. Blood is taken into a glass tube, graduated by 100 divisions (Panchenkov capillary) with an inner diameter of 1 mm.

Then the blood is thoroughly mixed with an anticoagulant - 5% sodium citrate solution, the capillary is installed strictly vertically in a special stand. Gradually, the red blood cells descend under the influence of gravity, and plasma remains in the upper part of the pipette. ESR is taken into account in an hour along the height of the transparent column.

To determine the ESR, the Westergren method is used, which is recognized as the reference, it is used in most laboratories abroad. For the study, venous blood and a capillary tube 200 mm long with a lumen of 2.4-2.5 mm are taken. The sensitivity of this method is higher.

The results in the area of ​​normal ESR values ​​approximately coincide with the results obtained when determining the indicator by the Panchenkov method.

The described methods have a number of disadvantages; therefore, automatic analyzers have been introduced into practice, which make it possible to repeatedly measure the optical density of the sample under study.

In some physiological processes and various pathological conditions, erythrocyte sedimentation can occur faster than normal. As a result, the analysis will show an increased ESR in the blood, but what does this mean and why does it happen?

This is due to a change in the normal ratio between finely dispersed plasma albumin and coarsely dispersed globulins and fibrinogen in favor of the latter. The stability of the suspension decreases, which provokes an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation.

Fibrinogen and globulins with a positive charge are collected on the surface of red blood cells, which are negatively charged. As a result, the force of mutual repulsion is weakened, and the formed agglomerates quickly sink to the bottom. The larger they are, the faster the reaction.

Most often, an increase in ESR reflects an inflammatory process in the body.

ESR rate in the blood in women and men, table

Normally, ESR in the blood of adults ranges from 1-15 mm / hour. For women, this indicator is in the range of 2-15 mm / hour, for males it varies from 1-10 mm / hour.

In newborns, ESR usually does not exceed 2 mm / h, which is associated with high hematocrit, low levels of proteins and globulins in the blood in particular.

Normally, children are characterized by a reduced erythrocyte sedimentation rate (1-8 mm / h) in comparison with adults. Middle-aged persons have slightly lower indicators than older ones.

ESR table for age and gender

Gender and age range		ESR, mm / h
Newborn		0-2
Women	up to 60 years	2-10
	after 60 years	up to 20 (30)
Men	up to 60 years	to 10
	after 60 years	up to 15 (20)

The ESR norm for the age category after 70 years is practically absent, since at this age it is difficult to find absolutely healthy people to determine normal digital values.

The reasons for the increase in ESR in a child

The ESR indicator in the blood of a child can be increased for many reasons, and some of them are not a reason for strong feelings. One of the factors causing it to increase in children is teething. It can be affected by the abundance of fatty foods in the mother's diet during breastfeeding.

Taking certain medications, helminthiasis, an allergic reaction to something, a lack of vitamins - all this can change the ESR upward.

Deviations from the norm are also caused by pathological processes, but at the same time, certain symptoms are observed, as well as changes in other indicators in the general blood test.

Causes of increased ESR in the blood in adults

An increase in ESR in the blood of an adult occurs as a result of both physiological and pathological reasons. The fluctuation of the value is possible even during the day and the maximum level is noted in the daytime. Physiological reasons include: pregnancy, menstruation, short-term hypothermia, overheating, old age, gender.

The ESR indicator in the blood of women is increased when compared with that of men. To some extent, this is due to a lower number of red blood cells in the blood, a high content of fibrinogen and globulins.

Pathological reasons for an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction include:

• acute inflammatory and infectious processes;
• immune disorders;
• oncological diseases;
• anemia;
• kidney and liver diseases;
• inflammatory bowel disease;
• conditions after surgery;
• poisoning with chemicals;
• heart attacks (heart, kidney, lungs);
• endocrine pathology ();
• intoxication;
• injury.

When making a diagnosis, you need to compare this value with other indicators of general analysis. Often, with a high ESR in the blood, increased and C-reactive protein. In modern medicine, this is a more indicative marker of the inflammatory process in the body. After an infectious disease, not only an increased ESR can be observed for a long time, but also platelets in the blood.

A pathological increase in ESR does not always indicate a disease. A small percentage of individuals have abnormal ESR in the absence of disease.

Taking oral contraceptives and vitamin A can also affect the outcome. In some cases, a laboratory error is possible, therefore, if the values ​​are overestimated, the settling rate should be re-determined.

During pregnancy, ESR in the blood rises. By the third trimester, the indicator increases about three times and can reach a border of about 45 mm / h. That is, the higher the gestational age, the higher the ESR.

Such changes in the female body are genetically programmed and are adaptive in nature, and the degree of their severity depends on the number of fetuses, gestational age, and individual reserve capacities of the mother. Even after giving birth for a month, the sedimentation rate often remains high and this is considered normal.

Against the background of a normal pregnancy, the range of ESR changes varies significantly according to the data of various authors. The increase in the indicator does not depend on the sex of the fetus, but the figures for mothers of girls are slightly higher.

Treatment for increased ESR in the blood

ESR is not a specific diagnostic parameter for specific diseases, therefore, in order to prescribe treatment, the patient must be carefully examined. The healing process depends on what is causing the deviation from the norm.

To reduce ESR, you need to eliminate inflammation and cure a specific disease. Only a doctor can decide on the need for treatment.

Thus, ESR depends on protein fractions and reflects a change in the protein composition of the blood, therefore, an increase should be expected in all conditions accompanied by an inflammatory process, immune disorders.

All over the world, when diagnosing and detecting diseases, ESR indicators are of great importance. This parameter is determined without fail in the general laboratory study of the patient's blood parameters.

ESR rates for each age are different, but it is the normal level that tells doctors about the absence of inflammatory and other pathological processes in the patient's body.

In this article you will find out why the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is increased and what it means.

What is ESR and how is the level determined

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is very important in diagnosis, although it is not the only indicator and does not have a constant fixed level. ESR allows you to suspect the presence of a disease in the body or to determine the general health of the patient.

There are several ways to determine this indicator, but in our country, in most clinics and laboratories, the Panchenkov method is used, while capillary blood (from a finger) is taken from the patient for research.

The essence of the technique is that if the resulting blood is mixed with a substance that prevents its clotting (in this case, sodium citrate is used), then for some time the mixture is separated into an erythrocyte mass, which forms the lower layer, and a transparent blood plasma that makes up the upper layer in the vessel.

The research time usually takes 1 hour, of which:

The process of erythrocyte sedimentation itself is associated with the special physical as well as chemical properties of human blood, which allows doctors to judge the general state of the body and identify the problems in it in time.

ESR rate

In the normal state of the body, the natural process of erythrocyte sedimentation usually occurs slowly, therefore, normal indicators have rather low values. In the presence of various ailments or inflammatory processes in the human body, the amount of fibrin, a protein that increases the speed of this process, increases sharply, and therefore ESR indicators increase.

The norms mainly depend on the age of the patient, as well as on his gender and physiological characteristics of the current moment. For example, in pregnant women, this figure will be significantly higher than in non-pregnant women, and this is considered normal. Also, the normal values ​​for women, children and men will be different.

Norms in children

Until the age of 12, the ESR indicator does not depend on the sex of the child. The division begins with the onset of puberty, when hormonal levels affect the value of the indicator. Thus:

• In girls over 12 years old, as well as in young adult women, the level of ESR normally ranges from 2 to 20 mm / h, on average, usually 15-16.
• In boys over 12 years old and in adult young men, the ESR level is from 2 to 15 mm / h, on average about 12.

In women during pregnancy, the normal level of ESR in the blood is significantly increased, but his norms in this state depend on the physique of the expectant mother:

• In obese women in the first half of the term, the level is normally from 18 to 48 mm / h, and in the second half - from 30 to 70.
• In women of lean physique, the ESR rate during pregnancy is in the first half of the term from 21 to 62 mm / h, and in the second half - from 40 to 65.

You can learn more about why soe in the blood of women increases during pregnancy.

In people of mature age, the norms are slightly higher, which is explained by the presence of some chronic diseases and characteristics of the body. Average:

• In women over 55, the ESR level is normally about 23 mm / h.
• For men over 55 years old - about 32 mm / h.

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Causes of a high level of ESR in the blood

An increase in indicators is usually observed when any inflammatory processes appear in the body, not only in an acute, but also in a chronic form. The value will be much higher than the norm when infections, viruses enter the body, with heart attacks of internal organs, with hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid hormones), and performing surgical operations. ESR also increases in the presence of oncological diseases.

Often the reasons for the high level of ESR are:

Of course, conducting only one blood test and determining the level of ESR cannot accurately indicate a specific disease. However, an increased level of ESR in the blood allows doctors to see the presence of malfunctions in the body and to judge the general state of health, and, if necessary, prescribe the patient a full examination.

A sharp increase in the indicator, as a rule, is observed in the presence of septic processes in the body, leukemia, as well as diseases of the autoimmune system.

Physiological reasons for an increase in ESR in the blood

In some cases, an increase in ESR indicators can be regarded as a kind of variant of the normal level, for example, if its increase is caused by:

ESR increase above 100 mm / h

The highest ESR rates, sometimes reaching values ​​of more than 100 mm / h, are characteristic of serious infectious processes. This condition can be observed, for example:

• In severe pneumonia, acute bronchitis, tuberculosis, severe sinusitis, in complex forms of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, as well as other ailments of the respiratory system and ENT organs.
• With cystitis or pyelonephritis, as well as other infectious complex diseases of the urinary system.
• In the presence of complex fungal infections of internal organs.
• If you have hepatitis.
• For various diseases of oncology. At the same time, high levels of ESR can be observed for a very long time.

It is important to remember that when an infection enters the body, ESR indicators do not immediately begin to increase. This happens gradually. As a rule, an increase can be recorded only a few days after infection, when the disease begins to actively develop, and the person's condition worsens.

After recovery from the disease, there is no immediate restoration of ESR parameters to normal values. This process usually takes several months.

The reasons for the increase in ESR in the blood of a child

In a child, an increased ESR content in the blood indicates the presence of any changes or diseases in the body. In most cases, in children, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases with:

If there are no objective and visible reasons for an increase in ESR in a child, and in the analysis results its level is significantly higher than normal, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations, for example, to determine the state of the tonsils, spleen, and lymph nodes. In addition, the child can be sent for examination of the state of the heart, kidneys, lungs, for ultrasound and CTG, as well as for consultations with various specialists.

How to reduce ESR in the blood

To bring the ESR level to normal values, several methods can be applied, in particular:

• Drug therapy.
• General health improvement in sanatoriums.
• Vitamin therapy.
• Ethnoscience.

Before choosing a method for correcting the level of ESR, you should undergo a full examination and identify the reasons for the increase in indicators, since the underlying disease must be treated first of all.

Drug therapy is prescribed by a doctor when a disease is detected, which caused an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Treatment can be carried out with various drugs, including antibiotics, as well as antiviral and antifungal agents, hormonal drugs. In most cases, treatment is symptomatic.

Vitamin therapy can include the normalization of the patient's nutrition, since quite often the reason for the increase in indicators is an incorrect or unbalanced diet, as well as refusal to use certain foods for various reasons. Often certain religious requirements, fasting, fasting or strict diets, vegetarianism lead to such situations.

Wherein a lot of healthy fruits and fresh vegetables should be included in the menu rich in vitamins, as well as boiled or stewed meat, fish, fresh herbs, vitamin drinks.

In this case, you should abandon heavy, spicy, fatty, fried foods, all kinds of marinades, pickles and smoked meats.

Traditional medicine recommends drinking decoctions of medicinal herbs, tea mixtures based on good green tea with the addition of berries, fruits, flower petals, herbal preparations, as well as natural fresh juices from fruits and vegetables.

False increase in ESR

Sometimes the test result may turn out to be false-positive, while an increase in the level of ESR does not mean that there is an infection or other disorder in the body. This situation can arise for various reasons, for example:

• With anemia, characterized by the absence of morphological changes in red blood cells.
• With an increase in the levels of all major blood proteins, except for fibrinogen.
• In the presence of hypercholesterolemia.
• With improper or insufficient kidney function.
• With severe obesity.
• With the introduction of Dextrin and other drugs.
• During pregnancy.
• When vaccinated, especially against hepatitis B.
• When taking vitamin A.

You should also take into account the age of the patient and remember that in older people, the level of ESR is naturally increased and this is not considered a pathology or violation.

Sometimes an incorrect analysis in the laboratory also leads to a falsely increased result, in particular, non-compliance with the requirements for the temperature regime (the ambient temperature should not be higher than 25 degrees). Violations include improper preparation of a blood solution with a coagulant, as well as an excess or decrease in the holding time of the mixture on settling.

Now you know why the level of ESR in blood tests in an adult and a child is increased and what it means.

Although ESR is a very important indicator, most people know little about it. Some may not even know what the norm is. However, let's first find out what this indicator is.

What does ESR mean?

In fact, this is not a term, but an abbreviation. Full decoding of ESR is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

The study of this indicator began in 1918, when the Swedish scientist Robin Fareus discovered that at different ages and during pregnancy, as well as during various ailments, erythrocytes behave differently. Later, other scientists, Westergren and Winthrop, began to work on the creation of methods for studying their behavior. Even now, this parameter is measured in the course of However, when the ESR is increased, what this means, very few people understand. But you shouldn't panic mindlessly from such news, too many factors can.And even if you have some kind of inflammation or illness, it is likely that now you can cure them without difficulty. The main thing is to urgently consult a specialist.

What is the ESR rate?

Factors such as age and gender affect the rate.

The causes of increased ESR in the blood in women can also be pregnancy. But, of course, there are many other factors as well. The following table of ESR for women will help determine your rate (note that these indicators do not take into account special conditions of the body, which will be discussed a little later).

Everyone under the age of 14 has the same ESR rate. Only age matters, therefore, if you are looking for a norm only for girls and cannot find it, then you do not need to worry.

Age is not the only criterion. The factors can be the most unexpected, for example, too hearty breakfast at best, and at worst - a malignant tumor.

If what does that mean?

There can be many reasons for such a test result. But basically, doctors share 6 main reasons why women have ESR above normal:

The deviation of erythrocytes from the norm can be either an increase or a decrease. Basically, there is an increase in ESR, but there are enough cases of its decrease. There can be many factors: both poisoning, hepatitis and just blood pathologies. As a rule, the latter appears already in adulthood. Also, under some conditions, vegetarianism can cause a change in the level of red blood cells.

There are three methods by which this parameter is usually monitored: Westergren, Padchenkova, Vintroba.

The most versatile technique that is used all over the world to determine ESR is the Westergren technique. Blood from a vein is mixed with sodium citrate and left for a while (about an hour) in a test tube. The results obtained by this method are considered to be more accurate.

Pachenkov's method differs from the previous one only in that blood is taken from capillaries and is used only in the countries of the former USSR. The results are the same as in the first method, but Westergren is usually more trusted.

The latter, the Winthrob method, is special in that the blood is not diluted, but an anticoagulant is added to it and analyzed in a special tube. This method has disadvantages, since if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is too high (more than 60 mm / h), the analysis cannot be done.

What determines the result of the analysis?

Numerous factors can affect the activity of red blood cells, so many details are taken into account when determining the results and how they correspond to the norm. The causes of increased ESR in the blood in women may lie in the time of the procedure, age, lifestyle, health status and other nuances.

Basically, the indicator is influenced by:

• taking oral contraceptives;
• anemia;
• time of the procedure;
• immunoglobulins in the body;
• allergy;
• menstruation;
• too hearty breakfast;
• inflammation.

Red blood cells settle due to the action of gravity, since they weigh more than plasma. By itself, ESR will not show what the problem is, but together with other parameters, it will already be possible to make a diagnosis. Also, the analysis can help to detect hidden ailments and pathologies, due to which it will be possible to start their treatment on time. Any therapist will be able to determine a possible diagnosis with obvious other symptoms, but in some specific cases, a more detailed diagnosis will be required.

How to get ESR back to normal?

When something in the body goes beyond a healthy state, any person has a natural desire to return everything to normal.

How do you do it? Only to cure the cause, that is, the disease that caused the increase in ESR. Of course, self-medication will not lead to anything good. Instead of searching the Internet for the antibiotics and other medications you need, it's best to see a specialist right away. It is he who will write out the necessary course of treatment after determining the diagnosis. After a successful cure for the disease, ESR will return to normal after a while (2-4 weeks in adults and up to 6 weeks in children).

In case of anemia, iron-containing foods, proteins and some alternative methods will help restore the indicator, but in this case, it is also better to consult a doctor.

If you are just dieting, fasting or experiencing a special physiological state (pregnancy, lactation, menstruation), then the indicator will return to the desired level as soon as your normal physical condition is established. In this case, there is nothing to worry about.

Increased ESR in children

If you are worried about your child, then know that this indicator often increases with infectious diseases and inflammations, especially together with a violation of the norm of other blood test parameters and a general deterioration in physical condition, as well as with typical symptoms of diseases. Taking certain medications can be another factor.

Below is a list of diseases that are characterized by an increase in ESR during the examination: infections (acute respiratory infections, bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, cystitis, hepatitis, fungus, cystitis, etc.), diseases of the liver, kidneys, biliary tract, anemia, tuberculosis, blood diseases, gastrointestinal - intestinal tract, cardiovascular system, metabolic disorders, endocrine gland dysfunction (diabetes), oncology, bleeding, trauma.

In childhood, most diseases and ailments are more easily tolerated than in conscious or even more advanced age, but only if they are detected in time. Therefore, it is very important to regularly show your child to a doctor.

Conclusion

We were able to figure out what ESR means, what is its norm, because of what there may be violations, and how not to suffer from them. Remember that only a doctor can draw correct conclusions about the test results.

If, after receiving the results of a blood test, you want to find out the causes of increased ESR in the blood in women, then first make sure that your physiological state is normal. If your body is not affected by any of the special factors listed above (fasting, pregnancy, etc.), then you should undergo a more detailed examination by a doctor. Only a specialist will be able, taking into account the individual characteristics of the organism, to calculate what is wrong with you, after a detailed diagnosis. That is why it is important to regularly undergo preventive examinations with the whole family, because the desire to stay healthy plays a key role. And although this factor has been discovered for a long time, it still continues to help doctors fulfill the Hippocratic oath, and to ordinary mortals to enjoy a healthy life.

A complete blood count is a very important study that helps the doctor determine some deviations from the norms for a healthy person. It shows several very important parameters, among which the ESR indicator is important. If everything is in order with a person's health, soy in the blood is within the normal range. In adults and children, normal values ​​differ.

What is ESR?

Red blood cells are blood cells that perform a very important function in the body. These particles transport oxygen in the human blood. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is an indicator that is determined by conducting a study of a general blood test. Its deviations do not always say unambiguously that a person has some kind of disease or an inflammatory process.

If the ESR indicator exceeds the norm, you need to pay attention to other analysis data that can confirm the presence of the disease. If all other characteristics are normal, more research is worth doing. An increase or decrease in this characteristic is a signal for the doctor, which he cannot ignore. Timely adoption of measures will help preserve human health.

Physiological limits of the norm in women

For a healthy woman, there are criteria and the rate of soy in the blood. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate depends on the state of health and age. So, if a girl is not pregnant, then this indicator should be in the range from 3 to 15 mm / h. When compared with men, their ESR should be in the range from 2 to 10 mm / h. After 60 years for women and men, the rate of this indicator is the same - 15-20 mm / h.

For pregnant women, an increased ESR is very often characteristic, the indicator sometimes reaches 25 mm / h. In women in position, anemia often occurs, as a result of which there is a thinning of the blood and an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation. Due to the individual characteristics of the organism, such characteristics may be different for each individual person.

How is the blood test done?

To begin with, the patient will need to donate blood. It is optimal to do this in the morning and on an empty stomach in order to prevent deviations in the indicator due to the presence of other factors. The biological material is sent for research, which is carried out by a specially trained laboratory assistant, or it is done automatically using a special device. The study requires only a few drops of liquid.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is determined using a special test, which with a high degree of probability will give out the real indicator of soy in human blood. The study of biological material is a simple process, it takes about an hour to complete. The liquid is placed in a test tube, and the laboratory assistant monitors how quickly red blood cells settle to its bottom. The blood plasma itself has a slightly lower density than erythrocytes, which is why they sink to the bottom.

It is very important not to dwell on this parameter, it will only tell you what you should pay attention to. The effectiveness of the study increases in conjunction with other diagnostics, which can say more about a person's condition. The entire research process has three phases, the longest of which is the second, which lasts 40 minutes. The first and third stages take 10 minutes. During this time, red blood cells sink to the bottom, settle and turn into a clot.

The indicator of the research result is obtained as a result of simple mathematical operations. The distance the red blood cells have descended is divided by the time taken for this operation. The unit of measurement is mm / h. Decryption of the received data is carried out by a specialist who must take into account all the accompanying characteristics. The more pronounced the deviation of the ESR indicator from the norm of a healthy person, the more dangerous and prolonged the inflammatory process in the body.

Why does the level of ESR in the blood rise?

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate suggests that not everything is in order with blood circulation, or vice versa. Sometimes the elevated ESR level is due to special reasons, such as pregnancy or the consequences of surgery. If the body has inflammatory processes or oncological diseases, then the level of ESR will be somewhat overestimated. Normal ESR data for different categories of people are different. If the indicator is high, then:

1. The density of erythrocytes is lowered.
2. There is a large amount of alkali in the blood.
3. The level of albumin content decreases.

All of these factors are the result of blood thinning. But the acceleration of erythrocyte sedimentation is also influenced by other factors, for example, unhealthy diet, if there is a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. In an infant, ESR increases during teething. Other reasons can be hormonal disorders, pregnancy, fever, blood cancer, tuberculosis. This phenomenon often occurs due to chronic diseases in the active phase.

Causes of low ESR

Doctors say that the increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate is more dangerous. But do not forget about the lower bounds of this parameter. The following diseases or pathologies can cause a decrease in the ESR level:

1. Polycythemia. The blood becomes very viscous, and the ESR is minimal.
2. Diseases of the liver and kidneys. At the same time, the level of fibrinogen in the blood decreases.
3. Some cardiac pathologies.

Fasting, chronic circulatory failure, viral hepatitis, taking certain medications (calcium chloride, salicylates) can lower ESR. With epilepsy and neuroses, a low erythrocyte sedimentation rate is also noted. But all this is revealed in the process of a comprehensive analysis of many characteristics of the state of human health, therefore, when prescribing treatment, the doctor should rely not only on ESR.

Treatment for increased ESR in the blood

An increased ESR rate does not speak unambiguously about pathologies. Treatment is prescribed with the aim of lowering it to normal. There is no single algorithm for getting rid of this phenomenon. First of all, the reason for the increase in ESR is revealed. This may require more than one laboratory study. If, as a result, the person does not have other symptoms of disease or inflammation, then no treatment is prescribed.

If the reason is clear, the doctor will prescribe an appropriate course of treatment, during which it will be necessary to periodically take a general blood test and observe the ESR. The closer this figure is to normal, the more correct and effective the treatment is. Soy in a person's blood is an important indicator, but it is necessary to control this parameter, especially if a person is at risk.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Discuss

An erythrocyte sedimentation rate blood test is one of the simplest and cheapest diagnostic methods. This sensitive test can detect the development of inflammation, infection, or other disease at an early stage when there are no symptoms. Therefore, a study for ESR is part of both routine medical examinations and one of the diagnostic methods. To determine the exact cause of high ESR in the blood, it is necessary to conduct additional tests and a medical examination.

Purpose of analysis

Blood tests are of great importance in medicine. They help to establish the correct diagnosis and track the effectiveness of treatment. Situations when the ESR in the blood is elevated are quite common in medical practice. This is not a reason to panic, because there are many reasons for a change in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The test indicates possible health problems and is considered a reason for more research.

The result of the ESR study gives the doctor a lot of useful information:

• Serves as the basis for timely medical research (blood biochemistry, ultrasound examination, biopsy, etc.)
• As part of the diagnostic complex, it makes it possible to objectively judge the patient's health and establish a diagnosis
• ESR readings in dynamics help to track the effectiveness of treatment and confirm the correctness of the diagnosis.

Allowable rate

Determination of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is carried out in the laboratory and is measured in mm / h. The whole process takes one hour.

There are several research methods, but they are all based on the same principle.

A reagent is added to the patient's blood sample or capillary to help separate the blood plasma from the red blood cells. Each red blood cell tends to settle at the bottom of the tube. It measures how many millimeters the red blood cells have descended within an hour.

The normal level of ESR depends on age and gender. For adult men, the norm is 1-10 mm / h, in women, the normal level is above 2-15 mm / h. With age, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate can increase up to 50 mm / h. For pregnant women, the rate rises to 45 mm / h, ESR normalizes only a few weeks or months after childbirth.

Growth rate of the indicator

For diagnosis, it is important not only the fact that the ESR is increased, but also how much it exceeded the norm and under what circumstances. If a blood test is taken a few days after the illness, the leukocyte count and ESR will be exceeded, but this will be a slight increase due to the development of immunity against infection. Basically, there are four degrees of high erythrocyte sedimentation reaction.

• A slight increase (up to 15 mm / h), at which the rest of the blood components remain normal. The presence of external factors that influenced the ESR is possible.
• An increase in the indicator by 16-29 mm / h indicates the development of infection in the body. The process may be asymptomatic and not significantly affect the patient's well-being. So, colds and flu can increase ESR. With proper treatment, the infection dies and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate returns to normal after 2-3 weeks.
• A significant excess of the norm (by 30 mm / h or more) is considered dangerous for the body, as a result of which dangerous inflammations, accompanied by necrotic tissue damage, can be found. Treatment of diseases in this case takes several months.
• An extremely high level (more than 60 mm / h) occurs in serious diseases in which there is a clear threat to the patient's life. Immediate medical examination and treatment is required. If the level rises to the level of 100 mm / h, the most likely reason for the violation of the ESR rate is cancer.

Why does ESR increase

A high level of ESR occurs in various diseases and pathological changes in the body. There is a certain statistical probability that helps the doctor determine the direction to look for the disease. In 40% of cases, why ESR rises, the reason lies in the development of infections. In 23% of cases, the development of benign or malignant tumors can be detected in a patient. Intoxication of the body or rheumatic diseases occur in 20% of cases. To identify a disease or syndrome that affects ESR, it is necessary to take into account all possible causes.

• Infectious processes (ARVI, influenza, pyelonephritis, cystitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, bronchitis, etc.) lead to the release of certain substances into the bloodstream that affect cell membranes and blood quality.
• Purulent inflammation causes an increase in ESR, but is usually diagnosed without a blood test. Suppuration (abscess, furunculosis, etc.) is visible with the naked eye.
• Oncological diseases, often peripheral, but also other neoplasms can cause a high erythrocyte sedimentation reaction.
• Autoimmune diseases (arthritis, etc.) lead to changes in the blood plasma, as a result, the blood loses some properties and becomes inferior.
• Kidney and bladder diseases
• Intoxication due to food poisoning and intestinal infections, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea
• Diseases of the blood (anemia, etc.)
• Diseases in which tissue necrosis is observed (heart attack, tuberculosis, etc.) lead to high ESR some time after cell destruction.

Physiological causes

There are a number of situations in which ESR increases, but this is not a consequence of a disease or pathological condition. In this case, erythrocyte sedimentation above the norm is not considered a deviation and does not require drug treatment. The attending physician can diagnose the physiological causes of high ESR in the presence of comprehensive information about the patient, his lifestyle and medications taken.

• Anemia
• Weight loss as a result of a strict diet
• The period of religious fasting
• Obesity, in which blood cholesterol levels increase
• Hangover state
• Taking hormonal contraceptives or other medications that affect hormone levels
• Toxicosis during pregnancy
• Breast-feeding
• Blood for analysis donated on a full stomach

False positive result

The structural features of the body and lifestyle are reflected in the results of medical research. The reasons for the increase in ESR can be caused by addiction to alcohol and smoking, as well as tasty, but unhealthy food. The individual characteristics of each adult must be taken into account when interpreting laboratory readings.

• Allergic reactions and taking medications for allergies.
• Rising cholesterol levels can affect the rise in ESR.
• Individual reactions of the body. According to medical statistics, an increase in ESR is observed in 5% of patients, while there are no concomitant pathologies.
• Uncontrolled use of vitamin A or a complex of vitamins.
• Formation of immunity after vaccination. In this case, an increase in the number of certain types of leukocytes may also be observed.
• Lack of iron or the inability of the body to absorb iron leads to dysfunctions of red blood cells.
• Unbalanced diet, consumption of fatty or fried foods shortly before the analysis.
• In women, ESR may be elevated at the beginning of menstruation.

A false positive result is caused by relatively harmless causes of increased ESR. Most of them are not dangerous diseases requiring immediate medical attention. However, your doctor may recommend quitting certain bad habits or prescribing a balanced, healthy diet.

High ESR can be the result of laboratory error.

In this case, it is advisable to donate blood again for analysis. Errors are possible both in public and private (paid) institutions. Incorrect storage of a patient's blood sample, changes in air temperature in the laboratory, incorrect amount of reagent and other factors can distort the real erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

How to lower ESR

The erythrocyte sedimentation reaction is not a disease, therefore, it cannot be cured. The disease that caused the deviation in the blood test is being treated. ESR readings will not return to normal until the cycle of drug treatment ends or the bone fracture heals. If the deviations in the analysis are insignificant and are not a consequence of the disease, in agreement with the attending physician, you can resort to traditional medicine recipes.

Beet broth or freshly squeezed beet juice can reduce ESR to normal levels. Fresh citrus juices with the addition of natural flower honey are also used. The doctor may recommend taking complexes of vitamins and minerals to normalize the body.

The reasons for a high ESR in the blood can be different, including the indicator can rise even in healthy people. It is important to take into account when decoding the analysis results, all possible factors that could affect the increase in the ESR level. Until the cause of the high erythrocyte sedimentation rate is identified and the diagnosis is made, treatment is not prescribed.

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