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
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
It is seen that the reaction of red blood cells affectsmany completely extraneous factors not related to the state of health. That is why the indicator is required to observe in dynamics. If several results show a steady increase or decrease in ESR, it is necessary to find out the reason why this happens.
Do not hesitate to ask the doctor: “ESR increased, what does it mean? Why do I, despite his deviation from the norm, close the hospital?
The doctor will explain that the ESR response remainsincreased within a week or two after the infection is defeated. It will take time, and then after the re-delivery of the detailed analysis will need to evaluate the condition of the body. If the ESR does not return to normal, and there will be health complaints, then it will be necessary to conduct additional examinations and find out the reason for the deviation.
