Saturday, October 23, 2010

What is the cause of the increase in ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)?

Few years ago I was having slight fever for 3 months. My bones and joints were aching. Many tests were done but most of the tests results were normal. In the end, I was asked to undergo a full blood test and found that my ESR were 110. What could have happened? It just went down on its own though.What is the cause of the increase in ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)?
Although a low ESR is not usually important, it can be seen with polycythemia (a condition where you make too many red blood cells), with extreme leukocytosis (you have too many white blood cells), and with some protein abnormalities. Some changes in red cell shape (such as sickle cells in sickle cell anemia) also lower the ESR. ESR and C-reactive protein (CRP) are both markers of inflammation. Generally, ESR does not change as rapidly as does CRP, either at the start of inflammation or as it goes away. CRP is not affected by as many other factors as is ESR, making it a better marker of inflammation. However, because ESR is an easily performed test, many doctors still use ESR as an initial test when they think a patient has inflammation. Drugs such as aspirin, cortisone, and quinine may also decrease your level.
Inflammation is what causes a ESR to be elevated. Sounds like you had an acute flair up of arthritis. Glad to hear that it went away on it's own. You didn't mention your age, but this also happened to my daughter prior to puberty. If you ever have these symptoms go back to the Dr. There are medications that will help and it is not something to worry about. Good luck

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