What does a blood test for ESR mean: transcript

Video: What does a blood test for ESR mean: transcript

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Humoral fluids are studied by different methods. This makes it possible to assess the severity of the condition, the course of treatment, and make diagnostic assumptions. Interpretation of data obtained in a laboratory is an important part of a diagnostic study, a way to obtain objective data on the processes occurring in the human body. Blood test for ESR - what is it, why is it done and what does it show?

Red blood cells and the sedimentation reaction

Blood cells are divided into three main groups, but red (erythrocytes) occupy the bulk of the hematocrit, therefore sometimes this definition is understood as the entire volume of blood. They make up about a quarter of all cells in the body and are formed every second in the bone marrow in colossal quantities.

A blood test for ESR began to be used at the beginning of the last century, at first for the early diagnosis of pregnancy, but subsequently acquired great importance in almost all branches of medicine. He continues to hold the leading position among numerous diagnostic techniques at all stages of the disease. The analysis is based on the following features of the constituent components of fluid connective tissue:

the ability to aggregate (stick together);
agglutination (precipitation under the action of agglutinins);
a higher density of blood cells than plasma (a liquid component in which particles are in suspension).

The sequence and speed of the reaction depends on several circumstances. Erythrocyte sedimentation occurs under their own weight: they stick together into aggregates, the total area of particles decreases and resists friction less. The negative charge of the surface of each particle in the normal state prevents adhesion, but if there are acute phase proteins in the blood, the degree of aggregation increases.

There are different markers of the inflammatory process:

fibrinogen;
immunoglobulins;
C-reactive protein;
ceruloplasmin (metalloprotein).

Clumping causes gravity to sink to the bottom of the tube.

The approximate answer to what a blood test for ESR is is to determine the rate at which precipitation occurs. It is influenced by changes in the concentration of albumin, a simple soluble protein. This is the main way of transporting blood, preventing sticking of its elements, which determines the viscosity.

A decrease in the amount of albumin leads to a decrease in resistance and an increase in the rate of precipitation of aggregates. ESR is determined by two methods - Panchenkov and Westergren, in a capillary and in a test tube. Interpretation is carried out by the doctor, who draws conclusions based on other data - examination of the patient and his medical history.

Decryption options

A blood test for ESR is a test that clearly demonstrates the intensity of inflammation of any etiology. But the increase in the indicator is associated not only with the presence of an infection in the body in an acute or chronic form. There are physiological reasons for the increase in the rate at which the sedimentation of blood elements occurs. For example, during pregnancy, menstruation, taking salicylates, contraceptives.

Physical activity, which causes an increased volume of substances in the body, fasting and food intake also cause a modification of the indicator. Therefore, blood is donated in the morning, when the break between dinner and breakfast exceeds 8 hours.

The analysis is called non-specific, since it can indicate numerous pathologies of different origins. Changes and deviations from the norm are observed:

for any inflammatory processes in the respiratory system - from sinusitis to colds, flu and ODS;
with infections in the excretory system - cystitis, pyelonephritis;
in the presence of a pathogenic agent of fungal, viral and bacterial origin, which is in the stage of active life;
with oncological processes in any segment of the body (this is indicated by a persistent and long-term observed increase in the indicator);
with diseases of the digestive system, hepatobiliary system, acute surgical conditions (appendicitis, cholecystitis);
with destruction and necrosis of tissues (with heart attack, tuberculosis, etc.)
in violation of the normal functionality of erythrocytes caused by pathology of the blood system - oncology, hereditary diseases;
with autoimmune pathologies, hereditary or acquired;
in acute conditions - prolonged diarrhea, postoperative period, bleeding or prolonged vomiting;
with metabolic and endocrine pathologies - from obesity to cystic fibrosis.

The growth of the indicator is not fast, the increase in speed occurs within 1-2 days, but a slight increase will be observed even for several months after the patient recovers. If the leukocyte count has returned to normal, and ROE is still proceeding at an increased rate, this may indicate a recent viral disease.

Therefore, the study of the analysis data, decoding in adults and children should be carried out taking into account other accompanying factors, age and sex criteria, indicators of the content of other blood elements, the content of components and compounds in the liquid connective tissue.

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The concept of the norm

In medicine, there is no absolute concept of the norm, this is due to the ability of the body to transform with age, to exist with variations in the anatomical structure. Each norm is conditional, therefore, in modern analyzes, a reference norm is often indicated - indicators for a certain number of surveyed:

In children, it depends on age: starting from the moment of birth, when the indicator is considered normal from 0-2 to 2.8 mm / h, up to 5-11 mm / h at the age of 5, 4-12 mm - in adolescence.
The rate in men changes slightly after the onset of 69 years. Before that, values from 2 to 10 mm / h are considered normal, then the upper bar increases to 15 mm / h.
Not everything is so smooth with the sedimentation reaction in the female body - there are conditions in which the ESR is increased, and this is considered the norm. Up to 30 years, the normal value ranges from 8-15 mm / h, then 20 mm / h may be normal. During pregnancy, the ESR rate increases to 45 mm / h.

The norm in women may deviate from the conventional indicator and in other physiological processes associated with the activity of the reproductive system or its extinction.

What affects reliability

Determination of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is not a separate study, but part of another analysis in which the indicators of humoral fluid are studied. It is used not only in diagnostics, but also in determining the effectiveness of already undertaken treatment.

Preparation for it is a complex step-by-step procedure, during which possible factors that distort the data are excluded: food intake, physical effort, psycho-emotional stress and arousal. It is not recommended to drink a lot of water and smoke before taking the test. Anything can affect the results:

menopause and menstruation;
diet and fasting or eating on the eve of fatty, salty, spicy;
hard physical work;
stress;
smoking and chewing gum;
taking medications of certain categories and vitamin complexes.

An increased indicator may indicate various pathologies, but a reduced speed is also not the best result. Its causes may be swelling, epilepsy or other disorders of the brain's functionality, a disorder in the composition, blood coagulation system, or chronic heart failure. Such a versatile etiology does not allow a person without a certain level of knowledge to deal with deciphering the analysis.

Outcomes

ESR is an indicator, an important diagnostic criterion obtained during a blood test. The rate varies by age and sex, and may increase in certain physiological conditions. The reliability of the data can be affected by food, exercise, stressful situations, physical condition, pregnancy. It is used in therapy and surgery, in the determination of infectious diseases, for the diagnosis and monitoring of the course of therapy.