ESR analysis to measure sedimentation rate and what do its results mean?
Your doctor may ask you to do analysis ESR Or the sedimentation rate, if it is suspected that there are infections in your body after the appearance of some symptoms or in certain cases, what is this examination, why is it performed, and what is its normal and high result? Follow with us.
What is analysis ESR?
It is a type of blood test that measures the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells at the bottom of the test tube in which the blood sample is located. Entering an infection into the body, or after an injury, or in the presence of an immune disorder or other diseases.
Reasons for an examination ESR
There are some symptoms that indicate the presence of infections in the body, such as:
Diseases that can be detected by an analysis ESR
These are some of the conditions that this examination can reveal, but it is not sufficient to diagnose the infection and its type:
Preparing for an examination ESR
There are no specific preparations that you must do before performing the analysis, as it is a routine blood test that does not require abstaining from eating or drinking for a period of time, but you must inform the doctor in some cases because it affects the results of the analysis.
Factors affecting the outcome of an examination ESR
Sometimes there may not be a specific disease problem that causes the percentage to rise above the normal rate, because some factors may affect the blood sample, such as:
Examination results ESR
Here are the normal rates of analysis and the indications of high and low results:
analysis ESR natural ratio
- The normal rate for men younger than 50 years: 0 – 15 mm / hour.
- The normal rate for men over 50 years: 0 – 20 mm/hour.
- The normal rate for women younger than 50 years: 0-20 mm/hour.
- The normal rate for women over 50 years: 0 – 30 mm/hour.
- The normal rate for children: 0 – 10 mm / hour.
analysis ESR high and its causes
If you do not have one of the factors affecting the result of the analysis that we mentioned before, a high sedimentation rate may indicate:
analysis ESR and cancer
If the elevation in sedimentation rate is not caused by an infection or any immune disease or medical condition mentioned above, it is likely that the elevation is indicative of ESR On the presence of tumors in the body, such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or other types of cancer that require other tests to confirm them.
analysis ESR high in children
This analysis is performed for children, especially for the diagnosis and follow-up of cases of rheumatoid arthritis in particular, and a high sedimentation rate in children can also indicate Kawasaki disease.
Reasons for the low rate ESR
A decrease in the percentage from the normal rate is usually not considered a problem, but some cases can cause a decrease in the percentage, such as:
- sickle cell anemia
- Diseases that cause an increase in the number of red blood cells.
- Diseases that cause an increase in the number of white blood cells.
- Deficiency of fibrinogen in the blood.
- Increased blood viscosity.
Other tests that the doctor may request
There are some other examinations and tests that the doctor may order in addition to this examination, such as:
Finally, you should consult a doctor if you experience any of the symptoms we have mentioned ESR One of the main and preliminary analyzes that can contribute to the early diagnosis of the disease.