In the results of the analysis, ESR is increased. What does it say?

You get a form on the hands with the resultsthe expanded analysis of a blood from a finger. All indicators are normal, and only ESR is increased. The attending physician says that there is no need to worry, everything is normal, and the hospital is closed. What is ESR and why should it be determined if the result does not bother anyone?

What is ESR analysis?

In fact, the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation -the analysis is informative. It is the state of the proteins of the blood plasma that can tell about the inflammatory process that takes place in the body. The indicator is calculated as follows: under laboratory conditions, a time is marked when the blood sample in the test tube is completely stratified into two layers, in which the plasma appears in the upper layer, and the particles giving it red color (red blood cells) in the lower layer. If the red blood cells settle quickly, this means that the ESR is enhanced.

The indicator has a drawback: the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction manifests itself for some time. The incubation period of the disease is not fixed. To make it manifest, it is necessary to enter the acute phase of the disease. In order to ESR again returned to normal, it should also take some time.

Therefore, the doctor looks at the analysis not so much on the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation as on the reaction

other particles carrying information - leukocytes. These white blood cells are also contained in the blood and are indicators of rapid response. At the slightest deterioration of the general state, their number increases exponentially.

Why do we need a "non-informative" analysis?

In order to detect the presence of a chronic inflammatory process, this blood test is needed.

ESR is enhanced if developing:

tuberculosis;
oncological processes;
autoimmune disorders;
rheumatic diseases.

The indicator decreases with neuroses, anemia, during diseases associated with the hematopoietic system, epilepsy.

If a patient has a complaint about a general malaise,deviation from the normal result can tell the knowing doctor in which area to look for the problem. Leukocytes do not react to the presence of chronic diseases, until there is an exacerbation. There would be no analysis on ESR, from complaints simply would be brushed aside.

Rate of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in adults and children

Women	15-20 mm / h
Men's	12-15 mm / h
Children
1 month	4-8 mm / h
6 months - 1 year	4-10 mm / h
1 year - 12 years	4-12 mm / h

Also, ESR is increased during acute conditions: infectious diseases, traumatic lesions, with ARVI, during an infarction, with intoxication.

Minuses of analysis

The disadvantages of this analysis are the already noted delayed reaction to

infection and changes associated with naturalstates of the body. ESR is increased in people in old age and in women during menstruation. The reaction of red blood cells can affect the intake of many drugs, such as corticosteroids and choleretic, changing the diet - vegetarianism, for example.

It can be seen that the reaction of erythrocytes affectsa lot of completely extraneous factors, not related to the state of health. That is why the indicator needs to be observed in dynamics. If several results showed a stable increase or decrease in ESR, it is necessary to find out the reason why this happens.

Do not hesitate to ask the doctor: "ESR elevated what does it mean? Why do I, despite his deviation from the norm, close the hospital? "

The doctor will explain that the reaction of ESR remainsincreased within a week or two after the infection is defeated. Time will pass, and then after the re-delivery of the detailed analysis it will be necessary to evaluate the state of the organism. If ESR does not return to normal, and there will be complaints about health, then it will be necessary to conduct additional examinations and find out the reason for the deviation.