ESR - what is it? Indicator of ESR: transcript

ESR - what is it? An exhaustive answer to the question you ask is found in the materials of the article. We will tell you about what is the norm of this indicator in the blood of a person, for which it is determined, under what diseases is observed and so on.

General information about the indicator and transcript

Surely every patient who donated blood for tests, saw in the results the abbreviation of ESR. The interpretation of the presented combination of letters is as follows: the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation.

In medical practice, this term is called the laboratory non-specific blood indicator, which reflects the ratio of plasma protein fractions .

History of the research method

ESR - what is it? How long has this indicator been taken into account in the study of patient material? This phenomenon was known in ancient Greece, but it was not used in clinical practice until the twentieth century.

In 1918, it was found that the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation varies considerably between pregnant women and ordinary people. Subsequently, scientists have identified the fact that this indicator varies under the influence of certain diseases. Thus, in the period from 1926 to 1935, several research methods were developed, which are still actively used in medical practice to determine the value of ESR.

Principle of the research method

ESR - what is it, and how is this indicator determined? To determine the value of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the patient needs to donate blood for analysis. As a result of her research, the laboratory staff determines the specific mass of red corpuscles. If they exceed the specific mass of the plasma, the red blood cells begin to slowly settle to the bottom of the tube. This is how the speed and degree of aggregation (the ability to stick together) and the red blood cells are determined.

Chemical causes of increase and decrease in the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation

The indicator of ESR directly depends on the degree of aggregation of erythrocytes. In this case, it increases if the plasma concentration of acute phase proteins or markers of the inflammatory process increases. And, on the contrary, the value of ESR decreases, if the amount of albumin increases.

ESR analysis: the norm of the indicator

As it was said above, in order to determine the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation, the patient needs to donate blood for analysis. After the material enters the laboratory, it is subjected to a thorough examination. Specialists observe the process of erythrocyte sedimentation under the influence of gravity, depriving the blood of any possibility of clotting.

So, what should be the normal index of ESR? The rate of sedimentation of red blood cells in healthy women is 2-15 mm per hour. As for the representatives of the stronger sex, this value is somewhat lower and is equal to 1-10 mm per hour.

ESR: indicator level

In medical practice, deviations from the norm are usually distinguished in degrees:

• To the 1-st degree are indicators, which differ by a few units from those established. After decoding the analyzes, it is determined that the red corpuscles in the blood are at an acceptable level.
• To the second degree belong those patients whose erythrocyte sedimentation rate exceeds 15-30 units. This fact indicates inflammatory phenomena in the body (for example, for colds or infections, which can be disposed of in less than 30 days). Throughout this period it is recommended to monitor the value of ESR.
• By the third degree are indicators that exceed the norm by 30-60 units. In this case, you should seriously think about your health. After all, such values indicate the presence of inflammatory reactions or intoxication of the body, which occur due to a progressive malignant tumor or tissue decay.
• By the 4th degree, the increase in ESR is attributed to more than 60 units. Such a deviation can not pass without a trace. As a rule, the patient is aware of the presence of the disease, since in his body there are obvious purulent-septic reactions.

Possible causes of abnormalities

Now you know the information about what the ESR is - what it is. Most often, the increase in this indicator is associated with chronic or acute infection, infarctions of internal organs, as well as immunopathological diseases.

Despite the fact that inflammatory reactions in the body are the most frequent causes of acceleration of erythrocyte sedimentation, this deviation can be caused by other, not always pathological, phenomena.

A significant increase in ESR is observed in malignant tumors, a decrease in the total number of erythrocytes, during pregnancy, and during treatment with any medications (for example, salicylates).

A moderate increase in the rate of ESR (by about 20-30 mm per hour) can occur with hypoproteinemia, anemia, pregnancy, as well as in women during menstruation.

Diseases with increased or decreased ESR

A sharp and significant increase in the rate of sedimentation of red bodies (more than 60 mm per hour) is accompanied by such conditions as autoimmune diseases, septic process and malignant tumors characterized by tissue decay.

A low value of this indicator is possible with changes in the form of erythrocytes, hyperproteinemia, leukocytosis, erythrocytosis, as well as hepatitis and DIC syndrome.

Why is it important to conduct a blood test for ESR?

Despite all the non-specificity of the definition of ESR, this study remains the most popular and important laboratory test. Thanks to it, specialists can quickly establish the presence and intensity of the inflammatory process.

Such a study of the patient's blood often reveals a malignant neoplasm, which allows him to start on time to eliminate it and save the life of the patient. That is why the definition of ESR is an extremely important research method, to which the blood of almost every person who has applied for help to a medical institution is exposed.