What might be the reason for a high ESR level?

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a very specific kind of test that allows to measure indirectly the degree of inflammation present in a particular body. This test also has the capacity to measure the rate of fall (sedimentation) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in a sample of blood that has been placed into a tall, thin, vertical tube. Results are reported as the mili meters of clear fluid (plasma) that are present at the top portion of the tube after one hour.

This test contains a tall, thin tube which in turn holds a sample of your blood. The pace at which the red blood cells fall to the bottom of the tube is measured. Inflammation can cause severe problems which can form abnormal proteins to appear in your blood. These proteins cause your red blood cells to clump together. This makes them fall more quickly.

Inflammation is part of the body’s immune response. It has the tendency to develop rapidly after injury, infection or trauma. Let’s say for example, it can also occur over an extended time (chronic) with conditions such as autoimmune diseases or cancer.The ESR is not diagnostic, rather it is a non-specific test that gets elevated in a number of these different conditions. It also provides general knowledge about the presence or absence of an inflammatory condition.

An ESR test can study inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid, systemic lupus erythematosus and arthritis. Suchkind of tests might also be the reason behind a person who is suffering from high fever, arthritis or some kind ofmuscle problems.

Various risk factors of the ESR Test

Possible complications include the following –

• Fainting
• Infection
• Excessive Bleeding
• Light headness
• Bruising
• Inflammation of The Vein

Reasons behind higher ESR level –

• The ESR on an average tends get higher as you get older.
• Minor colds, injuries and other issues can relatively make the ESR go up at a bit.
• The test should always be focused on diagnosis of potential tumors, temporal arthritis, PMR and other diseases.
• ESR above 100 can be reason for worry but anything under that is completely normal.
• An increase in globulins, polymyalgia rheumatica can also be a reason for higher ESR.

Higher ESR Level can result in the following Disorders

These disorders or diseases can result in the rise of ESR level –

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Giant Cell Arteritis
• Excess fibrinogen in your Blood
• Allergic or Necrotizing Vasculitis
  • Primary Macroglobulinemia

As Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a signal of inflammation and is affected by several other factors that might cause some kind disease.The results must be used along with other clinical findings, the individual’s health history, and results from other laboratory tests. If the Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the findings match, the health practitioner may be able to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis.

Some causes of serious abnormal ESR test results are more serious than others, but many aren’t a big concern. It’s more like important to not to worry too much if your ESR test results are abnormal. Instead, take out time to work with your doctor in finding out what’s causing your symptoms.