The rate of erythrocyte sedimentation( ESR) is an indicator that is important for diagnostics of the organism today. The definition of ESR is actively used to diagnose adults and children. Such an analysis is recommended to be taken once a year, and in old age - every six months.
Increase or decrease in the number of corpuscles in the blood( erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, etc.) - an indicator of certain diseases or inflammatory processes. Particularly often diseases are determined if the level of the measured components is increased.
In this article we will consider why in the analysis of blood increased ESR, and what it says in each case in women or men.
ESR - what is it?
ESR - sedimentation rate of erythrocytes, red blood cells, which, under the influence of anticoagulants, settle down for some time in the bottom of a medical test tube or capillary.
The settling time is estimated by the height of the plasma layer obtained as a result of the analysis, is estimated in millimeters for 1 hour. ESR has a high sensitivity, although it refers to nonspecific indicators.
What does this mean? The change in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation may indicate the development of a certain pathology of a different nature, even before the onset of manifestation of the symptoms of the disease.
With the help of this analysis, it is possible to diagnose:
- The reaction of the body to the prescribed treatment. For example, with tuberculosis, lupus erythematosus, inflammation of connective tissue( rheumatoid arthritis) or Hodgkin's lymphoma( lymphogranulomatosis).
- Accurately differentiate the diagnosis: heart attack, acute appendicitis, signs of ectopic pregnancy or osteoarthritis.
- To state the latent forms of the disease in the human body.
If the analysis is normal, then still appoint an additional examination and analysis, since a normal level of ESR does not exclude in the human body a serious disease or the presence of malignant tumors.
Norms for
The norm for men is 1-10 mm / h, for women, on the average - 3-15 mm / h. After 50 years, this indicator is able to increase. During pregnancy, sometimes the indicator can reach 25 mm / h. Such figures are explained by the fact that a pregnant woman has an anemia and her blood is diluted. In children, depending on the age - 0-2 mm / h( in newborns), 12-17 mm / h( up to 6 months).
The increase, as well as the reduction in the rate of settling of red bodies for people of different ages and sex depends on many factors. In the process of life, the human body is exposed to various infectious and viral diseases, which is why there is an increase in the number of leukocytes, antibodies, erythrocytes.
Why is the ESR in the blood above the norm: the causes of
So, because of what in the blood test is found increased ESR, and what does it mean? The most common cause of high ESR is the development of inflammatory processes in organs and tissues, due to which many perceive this reaction as specific.
In general, we can distinguish the following groups of diseases in which the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells increases:
- Infections of .A high rate of ESR accompanies almost all bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and urogenital system, as well as other localizations. Usually this is due to leukocytosis, which affects the aggregation characteristics. If the white blood cells are normal, then it is necessary to exclude other diseases. In the case of the presence of symptoms of infection, it is probably viral or fungal in nature.
- Diseases, , in which not only the inflammatory process is observed, but also the decay( necrosis) of tissues, blood cells and the entry of protein decay products into the bloodstream: purulent and septic diseases;malignant neoplasms;myocardial infarctions, lungs, brain, intestines, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc.
- Very strongly, ESR increases and persists for a long time at a high level for autoimmune diseases .These include various vasculitides, thrombocytopenic purpura, lupus erythematosus, rheumatic and rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma. A similar reaction of the indicator is due to the fact that all these diseases change the properties of blood plasma so much that it is oversaturated with immune complexes, making the blood defective.
- Diseases of the kidneys .Of course, in the inflammatory process, which affects the renal parenchyma, the magnitude of the ESR will be above normal. However, quite often the increase in the described index is due to a decrease in the blood level of the protein, which in high concentrations goes to the urine due to the defeat of the kidney vessels.
- Pathology metabolism and endocrine sphere - thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus.
- Malignant degeneration of bone marrow , in which the red blood cells enter the blood, not being ready to perform their functions.
- Hemoblastosis ( leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, etc.) and paraproteinemic hemoblastoses( myeloma, Waldenstrom disease).
These causes are most common with a high level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, when passing the analysis must comply with all the rules of the test. If a person has even a slight cold, the indicator will be increased.
Women due to hormonal and physiological changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, childbirth, breast-feeding and menopause are more often subjected to a qualitative and quantitative change in the content of dry residues in the blood. These causes can cause increased ESR in the blood in women up to 20-25 mm / h.
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons when ESR is above the norm, and to understand what it means is only one analysis is problematic. Therefore, the assessment of this indicator can be entrusted only to a truly knowledgeable specialist. Do not yourself do what can not be determined with certainty.
Physiological causes of increased ESR
Many people know that an increase in this indicator, as a rule, indicates some kind of inflammatory reaction. But this is not a golden rule. If there is an increased ESR in the blood, the causes can be quite safe, and do not require any treatment:
- tight food intake before the analysis;
- fasting, strict diet;
- menstruation, pregnancy and postpartum period in women;
- allergic reactions, in which the fluctuations of the initially increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- allow to judge the correct anti-allergic therapy - if the drug works, the indicator will gradually decrease.
Undoubtedly, only by rejecting one indicator from the norm it is very difficult to determine what it means. This will help to understand the experienced doctor and additional examination.
Increase above 100 mm / h
The indicator exceeds the level of 100 m / h in acute infectious processes:
- SARS;
- Bronchitis;
- Cystitis;
- Pyelonephritis;
- Sinusitis;
- Influenza;
- Inflammation of the lungs;
- Tuberculosis;
- Viral hepatitis;
- Infections of fungal nature;
- Malignant formation.
A significant increase in the norm does not occur immediately, the ESR increases 2-3 days before reaching the level of 100 mm / h.
False increase in ESR
In some situations, changes in indicators indicate not a pathological process, some chronic conditions. Increase the level of ESR can with obesity, acute inflammatory process. Also false changes in ESR are observed:
- With an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood.
- Because of the use of oral contraceptives.
- Subsequent vaccination against hepatitis B.
- With prolonged intake of vitamins, in which a large amount of vitamin A.
Medical studies show that often without cause, ESR can increase in women. Doctors explain such changes by hormonal failures.
Increased ESR in a child: causes of
Increased soy in the blood of a child is most often caused by inflammatory causes. It is also possible to identify such factors that lead to an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in children:
- metabolic disorder;
- getting injured;
- acute poisoning;
- autoimmune diseases;
- stress state;
- allergic reactions;
- presence of helminths or slow infectious diseases.
In a child, an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation can be observed in the case of a tooth incision, an unbalanced diet, a lack of vitamins. If children complain of a malaise, in this case, you should consult a doctor and conduct a comprehensive examination, the doctor will determine why the analysis on ESR is elevated, after which the only correct treatment will be prescribed.
What to do
Prescribing treatment with an increase in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in the blood is impractical, since this indicator is not a disease.
Therefore, in order to ensure that pathologies in the human body are absent( or, conversely, take place), it is necessary to appoint a comprehensive survey, which will give an answer to this question.