The abbreviation ESR stands for “erythrocyte sedimentation rate,” measured in millimeters per hour. (In old reference books this analysis was called ROE). The research is based on a process caused by gravitational forces. Since red blood cells are heavier than other blood elements, they are the first to precipitate. Their counting in a vertically placed test tube after an hour is the basis of the analysis.
The speed at which red blood cells sink to the bottom depends on many factors, both physiological and pathological. ESR values differ depending on age and gender. Changes in indicators are possible due to dietary habits, the patient undergoing a course of treatment with certain types of medications, corticosteroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Knowing what a high ESR indicates is especially important, since exceeding the standards most often indicates the development of a particular disease. High ESR numbers may indicate the presence of oncopathology, inflammatory process, infectious, rheumatological, or anemia in the body. The indicator will exceed the norm in case of myocardial infarction, trauma, allergies, pregnancy.
Despite the fact that ESR is a nonspecific indicator, the diagnostic value of the study is enormous. This is due to its high sensitivity. A change in this indicator is noted already in the early stages of the development of the pathological process, when other tests are not yet informative and remain normal. An increased ESR in a blood test is a reason to continue the examination and clarify the situation.
What is ROE and its significance for the body
What is RO ESR (ESR)—erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The analysis is one of the main basic blood tests. A referral for examination is issued upon initial consultation with a doctor, before medical procedures or surgical interventions.
Laboratory essence of the method: healthy red blood cells precipitate slowly. Aggregated (glued) red blood cells have a greater mass and settle at a faster rate. Factors that indicate the activation of the immune response to pathology in the body lead to the sticking of red blood cells.
The erythrocyte sedimentation reaction is a nonspecific laboratory indicator that indirectly indicates pathological disorders in the body. Based on ROE, a final diagnosis cannot be made, but the direction of further research can be determined.
Reasons for elevated levels
There may be several reasons for the increased erythrocyte sedimentation reaction, as can be seen from the information presented above. This condition can be caused by:
- development of sinusitis or tonsillitis;
- the presence of sexually transmitted infections and helminths in the body;
- purulent formations of internal organs and skin;
- any form of tuberculosis and in any location of the body;
- the development of bacterial infections, which may be accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms;
- the formation of a viral infection, including herpes, chickenpox and other diseases;
- anemia and its accompanying symptoms;
- inflammatory process in the reproductive and reproductive systems;
- inflammatory diseases of joints and bones;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract system;
- development of dental caries;
- inflammatory process of the heart muscle, which can even lead to a heart attack;
- diseases of the organs and respiratory system.
In the absence of diseases and pathological processes, ROE may increase due to lack of normal nutrition , increased body weight, childhood, the patient's age after 65 years, the period of gestation and breastfeeding. Only the attending physician can identify the exact cause of a disorder in the body after an in-person examination and all tests.
If for some reason you received a bad general blood test, you should take it again. Only with additional diagnostics can any treatment begin.
The table is normal
The analysis is deciphered taking into account norms that are different for each age. The high variability of norms in women is associated with changes in hormonal levels during different periods of life.
Standards for children:
Child's age | Floor | ESR norm mm/hour |
0-1 month | m/f | 2-3 |
1-12 months | m/f | 2-8 |
1-5 years | m/f | 4-12 |
5-10 years | m/f | 4-12 |
teenagers | M F | 1-10 2-15 |
For men, the ROE indicator is in the range of 2-15 mm/hour.
In women, ESR has its own characteristics:
- indicators are on average higher than those of men;
- in the morning the indicator increases;
- large variation in the indicator at different periods of life;
- severe pathology is indicated only by long-term and significant deviations of ESR from the norm.
The ROE norm in the blood of women by age is studied in flasks like these. Table below
ROE (the norm for women by age), a table with the value of which shows their change, can range from 2 to 45 mm/hour.
Age | ESR norm mm/hour |
Children under 13 years old | 4-12 |
Teenagers 14-17 years old | 3-18 |
Young women 18-30 years old | 2-15 |
Middle-aged women 31-40 years old | 2-20 |
Middle-aged and perimenopausal women 41-50 years old | 2-30 |
Women 51-60 years old, menopause, menopause, postmenopause | 2-30 |
Women over 60 years old | 2-40 |
pregnant women | 2-45 |
As can be seen from the table, the ROE norm can differ significantly at different age and physiological periods of a woman. The ESR indicator indicates physiological and pathological abnormalities in the body.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate after 30 years
After 30 years, the normal level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which can be within 2-20 mm/h , should not change under the influence of external and internal factors. But due to possible disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system, which can be provoked by childbirth and sexually transmitted infections, the patient develops erosive inflammation of the mucous membrane. This will increase the ESR rate and require immediate treatment of diseases to prevent them from becoming chronic and malignant .
Kidney problems, which can also appear after 30 years, can cause pathology. The amount of hemoglobin in the blood necessarily requires monitoring, since with age its indicator falls, which can cause anemia .
After 60 years of age, women experience a natural increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is the result of gradual wear and tear of the kidneys, liver and death of red blood cells.
If an alarming result is received, a repeat analysis is taken after 4-6 days to see the growth of the indicator over time . When receiving another result above the norm, the woman is prescribed examination and treatment after the diagnosis has been clarified.
Symptoms of an increased rate
Symptoms indicating increased ROE:
- inflammatory processes accompanied by pain;
- dental pain;
- acute pain in the abdomen;
- heartache;
- pain in the joints and spine.
With a low ESR, the following conditions are observed:
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- weakness;
- yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
A reduced ROE in the body can also be a signal of dangerous pathologies.
Reasons for the increase
The ESR indicator can be increased as a result of physiological processes and pathological changes in the body.
ROE (normal blood levels in women by age), a table with the value of which shows their changes, can reach 45 mm/hour. Thus, during puberty in adolescents, ROE can normally reach up to 19 mm/hour, during pregnancy up to 45 mm/hour, during menopause and menopause up to 30 mm/hour, in women with impaired ovarian function up to 40 mm/hour.
Physiological reasons for an increase in ROE are also allergic reactions, various diets, and fasting.
A pathological increase in ROE occurs in many diseases:
- Inflammatory diseases of various etiologies. Joint pathologies—arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism, inflammatory-degenerative diseases of the spine.
- Viremia of various origins. Flu, ARVI, herpes diseases.
- Bacterial infections and their complications. Tuberculosis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Endocrine and autoimmune diseases. Diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyrotoxicosis.
- Ulcers, abscesses, sepsis.
- Inflammatory diseases of the female genital area. Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, inflammation of the appendages and fallopian tubes.
- Hematopoietic disorders.
- Exacerbations of chronic diseases—pancreatitis, cholecystitis, stomach ulcers.
- Long periods of high ROE may be a sign of the onset of an oncological process.
Decrease in ESR
A drop in ROE levels may be a sign of:
- heart pathologies;
- chronic lack of blood supply;
- dehydration;
- viral hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver ();
- erythrocytosis - a reactive increase in the number of red blood cells;
- changes in hemoglobin structure ();
- sickle cell anemia, in which red blood cells are shaped like a sickle rather than biconcave discs, which reduces their sedimentation rate;
- high levels of albumin in the blood plasma, increasing its viscosity.
See also: Dry cough: causes and treatment
A decrease in ESR is also observed with vomiting and diarrhea.
ROE changes differently at different stages of even one pathology:
- With tuberculosis, ROE may remain unchanged, except in advanced cases or until the disease is accompanied by a complication.
- The acute period of an infectious disease is accompanied by an increased ESR only from 2-3 days. At the same time, with a diagnosis of lobar pneumonia, the indicator remains high, even if the crisis has passed.
- At the beginning of acute appendicitis (), the laboratory test values remain unchanged.
- A slight increase in ROE is observed with active rheumatism, but its decrease may indicate acidosis or blood thickening.
- The subsiding infectious process is accompanied by normalization of the total number of leukocytes, ROE decreases later.
Indications for research
A referral for ESR analysis is most often prescribed by a general practitioner. The analysis is carried out after acute viral and bacterial diseases to exclude the presence of complications.
Subspecialists can prescribe a referral for analysis:
- rheumatologist for joint pain; temperature, increased fatigue;
- surgeon for abscesses, suppuration, abdominal pain;
- nephrologist for problems with the urinary system;
- gynecologist for pain, pathological discharge;
- gastroenterologist for pain in the abdominal cavity, heaviness in the right hypochondrium, yellowing of the skin;
- endocrinologist for specific symptoms indicating metabolic disorders in the body;
- hematologist for a comprehensive examination of the hematopoietic process.
A referral for ESR testing is issued during planned hospitalization and surgical interventions. ESR is part of express tests during emergency operations.
ESR during pregnancy
During pregnancy, there is a natural increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which is not accompanied by the presence of pathologies, infections or inflammations. From the 13th week of pregnancy, a woman can already experience an increase in ESR up to 25 mm/h, and by the end of the term the figure will approach 40 mm/h.
Despite the possibility of a natural increase in ESR during pregnancy, parallel tests should be performed to detect the level of white blood cells and protein . This is required to prevent kidney problems and a dangerous decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Quite often, an increase in ESR during pregnancy occurs due to anemia, accumulation of salts in the kidneys and pyelonephritis.
Kidney diseases, accompanied by an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 20-30 mm/h, can cause the development of gestosis, preeclampsia and eclampsia . In addition, this causes the accumulation of toxins and harmful substances in the mother’s body, which penetrate through the placenta to the child and can cause problems in its development.
During this period, we cannot exclude such problems as the development of cancer, inflammatory processes in the reproductive system , thrush and exacerbation of hidden infections. All these pathologies require treatment and cannot be ignored, since the mother’s illness has a detrimental effect on the child.
Regardless of whether the patient has reasons to worry and take an erythrocyte sedimentation rate test, it is worth regularly being examined by a doctor. Most diseases disappear without a trace with early diagnosis and timely treatment, including cancer and malignant neoplasms.
How is the indicator determined?
The ROE indicator is determined using two methods.
Method according to Panchenkov. Blood from the ring finger is examined. The material is transferred to glass and an anticoagulant is added. The resulting laboratory solution is placed in a Panchenkov capillary with 100 divisions.
The erythrocyte sediment deposited within 60 minutes is assessed. The scale readings will be an indicator of the ROE value in mm/hour.
Westergen method . It is used more often; at high ROE levels it is more sensitive. Venous blood is collected for analysis.
The anticoagulant is mixed with the test material in a ratio of 1:4 and placed in a Westergen tube with a graduated scale of 200 mm. The number of red blood cells deposited as sediment is measured in mm/hour.
In the absence of disease, red blood cells precipitate singly, having a negatively charged potential that pushes them away from each other.
Inflammatory and other pathological processes lead to an increase in acute phase proteins in the blood plasma: immunoglobulin, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein. The presence of proteins leads to platelet sticking (aggregation), which causes acceleration of their precipitation.
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is influenced by the presence of antibodies and lipids in the blood plasma. Plasma can have different oxidation states and ionic charges. The ROE values are affected by the number and shape of red blood cells and blood viscosity.
Reasons for low ROE
It is necessary to show concern not only with high, but also with too low indicators.
Most often this occurs when:
- Muscle dystrophy.
- Presence of nervous disorders.
- Jaundice.
- Hepatitis.
- Cholecystitis.
- Circulatory failure.
- Leukemia.
- Fasting.
- Heart failure.
- Vegetarianism.
- Taking steroid hormones.
- Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
ROE below 2 mm/h may indicate the presence of serious diseases. If it is slightly reduced, then it is necessary to change the diet and add iron and protein to it. Very often, this situation occurs in women who have lost weight dramatically and adhered to strict diets.
A decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate is extremely rare.
Increased swelling does not always mean that a person is sick and an inflammatory process is occurring in his body. In order to accurately decipher the analysis and understand why the ROE indicator is increased, you need to visit a specialist. Only with the help of additional tests and studies can an accurate diagnosis be made and the correct treatment prescribed.
Preparing for analysis
The ESR indicator is part of the general clinical blood test, but sometimes it is determined separately. Blood is taken from a vein or from a finger, depending on the method used by the laboratory to evaluate the value of the indicator.
To ensure that the test does not show a false positive or false negative result, you need to prepare for the test for several days.
For an accurate measurement:
- take the test before 10 am, strictly on an empty stomach; as an exception, it is permissible to drink a small amount of liquid;
- 2-3 days before the examination, avoid spicy, salty, smoked foods;
- follow a diet, eat boiled or steamed foods;
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke for several hours before the test;
- before the examination, reduce the intensity of physical activity and training;
- Discuss taking medications and performing medical procedures with your doctor.
The results of the analysis may be affected by:
- cyclical changes, hormonal fluctuations in the female body (pregnancy, menopause, menstruation, ovulation);
- stress, psycho-emotional stress;
- other studies and physical procedures performed previously.
When testing blood from a finger, a scarifier, sterile needle or lancet is used. Modern machines for drawing blood from a finger contain a lancet enclosed in a plastic case with a puncture depth regulator. The upper phalanx of the ring finger is wiped with a cotton swab moistened with an antiseptic. After this, blood is drawn.
Only a person qualified as a nurse, paramedic or doctor can take venous blood for analysis. Most often, the median ulnar vein or external superficial vein is used. In some people it is difficult to find a vein. In such cases, blood is drawn from the back of the hand.
A tourniquet is applied to the forearm, and the bend of the elbow is treated with an antiseptic. The needle is inserted at an angle of 45°. After blood is drawn, the arm is bent at the elbow to prevent bruising. The period for performing analysis by any method does not exceed one day.
Conducting research
To determine ROE, no special techniques or equipment are needed. The indicator is studied as part of a general blood test, for which capillary blood is taken from a finger according to a method familiar to everyone. Determining ROE is one of the easiest stages of clinical analysis, since it does not require any manipulation of the blood after collection. It is simply left in a glass capillary for one hour. After this time, they look at what level the boundary of blood separation into light and dark layers is located. The height of the light layer in millimeters is used to determine the resulting erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Decoding the analysis results
If the test result shows an increased level of ROE, there is no need to immediately panic.
It must be remembered that many factors can influence the increase in the indicator:
- physical and emotional stress;
- taking certain medications—salicylates, hormonal contraceptives;
- recent vaccination;
- helminthic infestations;
- high blood cholesterol, obesity;
- taking vitamins;
- violation of the temperature regime in the room where the analysis was taken.
ROE (normal blood levels in women by age), a table with the value of which shows their changes, may increase for physiological reasons.
Experts say that errors in measurement and physiology can cause a slight increase in ROE to 30-33 mm/hour. The same indicators are observed in anemia and hypoproteinemia, conditions after acute infectious diseases.
An increase in ESR above 60 mm/hour indicates the presence of a serious pathology in the body. High rates occur in sepsis, acute appendicitis, and peritonitis. Joint diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, can cause high ESR.
An acceleration of the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction may be the first symptom of malignant tumors, leukemia, and autoimmune diseases. Acute pathologies of the urinary system lead to sharp jumps in ROE.
Causes of pathologically low ESR:
- anemia, thrombocytopenia and other hematopoietic disorders;
- epilepsy;
- pathologies of the liver and kidneys.
Low ROE may have physiological causes: dehydration, vitamin deficiency. Deviations from normal values require re-testing to exclude false results.
Reasons for high ROE
An increased ROE does not always mean the presence of any pathologies in the body. If the indicators are elevated, it is necessary to exclude physiological causes of this phenomenon.
These include:
- Elderly age.
- Postpartum period.
- Menstruation.
- Puberty period.
- Pregnancy.
- State of stress.
- Taking estrogens and glucocorticoids.
About 5% of the world's inhabitants have abnormal ROE indicators from birth. Moreover, they do not have any chronic diseases or other pathologies that could contribute to this process. Why the analysis shows high numbers has not yet been established.
In other cases, it is important to contact your doctor, who will prescribe a number of additional tests for an accurate diagnosis.
An increased ROE is observed when:
- Inflammatory processes in the body.
- Infections.
- Serious lead or arsenic poisoning.
- After operations and other surgical interventions.
- With elevated cholesterol levels.
- Liver diseases.
- Anemia.
- Worm infestation.
- Significant blood loss.
- Hemolysis.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Massive injuries and wounds.
- Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
- Kidney diseases.
Erythrocyte sedimentation
In most cases, ROE is increased in inflammatory and infectious pathologies. After competent antibacterial therapy, the indicator quickly returns to normal.
In such serious diseases as diabetes mellitus, anemia and hemolysis, ROE is increased over a long period, and is accompanied by a number of other unpleasant symptoms such as:
- Weaknesses.
- Loss of strength.
- Losing or, conversely, gaining weight.
High ROE is observed in diseases such as:
- Lupus erythematosus.
- Rheumatism.
- Arthritis.
- Dermatomyositis.
Pathologies associated with connective tissue and vasculitis are accompanied by long-term inflammatory processes. The analysis can be of high value over a long period of time. In this case, timely and competent treatment of the underlying disease is required.
Increased rates are observed in pathologies that cause tissue death. These include:
- Tuberculosis.
- Heart attack.
- Diseases with the formation of pus.
- Intestinal pathologies.
If the indicator is sharply increased to values from 60 to 80, then the presence of tumors can be suspected. At the initial stage of tuberculosis in an adult, the indicators may be slightly increased, but in the absence of treatment they rise to 90. With various infections, the ROE does not increase immediately, but after a few days.
A similar situation occurs with inflammation of the appendix. In a child, ROE is most often increased in inflammatory and infectious diseases.
ROE is always higher than normal in rheumatism and arthritis. During the last trimester of pregnancy, the ROE may exceed 40-50 mm/hour, which is normal. It may take several months for the number to return to normal.
A woman’s weight plays an important role in this: with low body weight, the indicator may not exceed 30, and with excess weight during pregnancy, it can reach 70.
When ESR decreases, several components of correct erythrocyte sedimentation are not in order
At what level should you consult a doctor?
Repeated high ROE readings (above 30 mm/hour) require contacting a therapist. The doctor will weigh the possible reasons for the increase and prescribe additional examinations. If a specific pathology is suspected, a referral is issued to a specialist who conducts a detailed examination of the diseased organ.
The main goal of the examination is to find the cause of the anomaly and not to miss the early stage of a dangerous disease. In some situations, it is not possible to find out the reason for the increase in ROE. In this case, they take a wait-and-see position and watch the indicator over time.
ESR 20-30: what does it mean?
An increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in women can be caused by several factors. The main ones in percentage terms in the table. It makes it possible to immediately narrow the range of possible diseases and immediately move on to therapeutic therapy.
Causes of pathology | Percentage of all cases |
Infectious lesions | 37% |
Malignant manifestations | 23% |
Connective tissue diseases | 15% |
Pathologies of the kidneys and renal system | 5% |
Other diseases | 16% |
No pathology detected | 4% |
Among the main diagnoses that are most often made to women of different ages with an increased ESR are the following :
- tuberculosis lesions of pulmonary and extrapulmonary forms;
- development of foci of infection in the respiratory and urinary tract;
- viral hepatitis;
- fungal infections;
- The most common cancer diseases are leukemia, cervical, breast, kidney and ovarian cancer;
- rheumatoid lesions, including lupus erythematosus;
- glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis;
- sinusitis, tonsillitis and allergic reactions;
- anemia and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs ;
- gastritis and other mucosal lesions accompanied by inflammation.
In 4% of cases, the reasons for the increase in ESR are not identified. There are actually recorded cases where in women the rate was 100 mm/h, but the patient was absolutely healthy. This may be due to several factors. First of all, an excessive erythrocyte sedimentation rate can persist for up to several months due to a previous disease, it all depends on its complexity and the success of treatment.
Also, a false increase in ESR levels can be affected by taking oral contraceptives and indulging in foods that contribute to a jump in cholesterol in the blood. Often, an increase in the indicator to 20-30 mm/h provokes a large amount of vitamins, which contain vitamin A.
If the disease is suspected, the patient should also undergo a blood test to determine the level of leukocytes.
How to get it back to normal
Reducing ESR without finding out the reasons for the increase in the indicator does not make sense. ROE is not a disease, but a diagnostic parameter indicating problems in the body. Self-medication is especially dangerous.
Medications
Some medications have the effect of reducing ROE in the body:
- Aspirin and other medicines containing salicylic acid;
- Calcium chloride;
- mercury-containing preparations;
- antihistamines.
The attending physician makes a diagnosis, as a result of which the ROE level was increased. Treatment of the underlying disease will help normalize the indicator. For infectious pathologies and their complications, antibiotics are usually prescribed: Metronidazole, Tetracycline, Levomycetin, Erythromycin.
For inflammatory lesions of the joints and spine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most effective. The most popular are Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin. New generation drugs that have a gentle effect on the gastrointestinal tract—Meloxicam, Arcoxia.
Indicators of anemia are corrected with the help of medications containing hemoglobin and folic acid: Hemodin, Irovit, Maltofer.
For tuberculosis, drugs active against Koch's bacillus are used: Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Parazinamide. Treatment of autoimmune and endocrine diseases requires specific therapy. Suspicion of a malignant tumor is the basis for immediately sending the patient for consultation to an oncology clinic.
ROE (normal blood levels in women by age), the table with the value of which shows their changes, in some cases can increase significantly. Temporary surges in ESR do not require treatment; after some time the indicator will return to normal on its own.
Traditional methods
To reduce the ESR, you can use folk remedies that will not cause harm to the body and will help strengthen the immune system. Consultation with your attending physician is advisable.
Lemon juice with chopped garlic—the mixture has an antimicrobial effect, improves immunity, and helps lower cholesterol. Mix 100 g of peeled garlic with juice squeezed from four lemons. The mixture should be stored in a cool place. 1 tsp Take the medication once a day before bed.
Honey is a unique natural product that promotes overall health of the body. Accepted according to Art. spoon in the morning or diluted in a glass of warm water.
Beets are rich in B vitamins, potassium, and beneficial microelements. Three well-washed root vegetables are boiled for 2-3 hours. Beetroot decoction is used as a medicine, which is drunk before meals, 2 tbsp. l., course of treatment 2 weeks.
A herbal collection of sea buckthorn berries, chamomile and calendula flowers has antispasmodic, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory properties. 2 tbsp. l. berries and flowers are brought to a boil and left in a water bath for 20 minutes. Take 100 g before meals 2 times a day.
It is useful to drink herbal teas using coltsfoot grass, linden blossom, and raspberry leaf. Use honey instead of sugar.
Other methods
With minor fluctuations in ROE, a decrease can be achieved by changing your lifestyle in favor of healthy habits. Walking in the fresh air, moderate physical activity, proper nutrition and quitting smoking and alcohol improve laboratory blood counts.
A special diet has been developed to help reduce inflammation in the body and normalize metabolism. Add to the diet: beef, liver, legumes, nuts, beets, dried fruits, green vegetables.
Eating all types of citrus fruits and chocolate helps reduce ESR. Good results are achieved by a course of treatment with B vitamins. An effective drug is Milgamma.
All of the above methods work only with a slight increase in the ROE norm in a blood test in women according to the table. If the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction is more than 30 mm/hour, the attending physician must adjust the indicator.
ROE during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate usually increases due to natural causes. If in a normal state the boundaries of the normal indicator are within the range of 2-15 mm/h, then with each month of pregnancy the norm for a woman will expand and can double.
If the patient begins to experience symptoms such as a sore throat, nose, or mouth, a significant increase in white blood cell counts , or pain in some part of the body, you should immediately consult a therapist or gynecologist. There is a high probability of developing acute respiratory disease, damage to the body by virus and bacteria.
If timely treatment is not started in this case, the fetus may develop problems inside the womb. He may begin to suffer from a lack of beneficial microelements, vitamins, oxygen and other substances. In severe cases intrauterine infection occurs , which can even cause fetal death.
Possible complications
If an ESR indicator is detected that is significantly higher than normal, it is necessary:
- identify the cause;
- carry out therapy for the underlying pathology;
- observe ESR values over time until readings appear that correspond to the norm.
Some life-threatening conditions may occur in an atypical form, with no characteristic symptoms. High ROE helps diagnose acute appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, ruptured ovarian cyst, myocardial infarction, and sepsis. These diseases, if not treated promptly, can be fatal.
For a long time, the ESR rate is above 75 mm/hour, with negative dynamics, requiring a persistent search for an oncological process in the body.
Every woman who cares about her health should know the ROE norm in a blood test according to her age. The table indicates which deviations can be caused by physiological reasons, which indications indicate pathological changes in the body.
Article design: Mila Friedan
ESR in children
In children, fluctuations in ROE in one direction or another are not a sign of infection. You should be concerned at values exceeding 15 mm/hour. Values of 40 or more mm/hour accurately indicate a pathological process.
An increase in ESR in a child can be caused by: sore throat, flu, allergies, colds. Sometimes the reason may be a lack of vitamins in the baby's diet or that he is teething. But most often the ESR rate in children increases for the following physiological reasons:
- taking hormonal medications during lactation;
- anemia;
- vaccination;
- features of the diet of a nursing mother.
It is impossible to understand that the ESR is higher than normal without a special blood test. By elevated body temperature and tachycardia, one can only suspect an approaching infectious process, which is usually accompanied by altered hematological parameters.
After determining the type of pathology, appropriate treatment is prescribed, carried out under medical supervision with regular tests to determine the dynamics of the patient’s condition.