What does it mean if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is increased?

A general blood test (JAB) is the first thing that any doctor appoints to his patient if he suspects something serious. The procedure for such an analysis is to take blood from the left hand, more precisely - from the ring finger. This analysis is taken, starting with childhood. The obtained material in the laboratory is divided into two parts: the first portion of blood goes to a qualitative analysis of ROE (or ESR), the second - to a quantitative analysis of red blood cells and leukocytes. The structure of blood cells is also examined under a microscope.

The most frequently asked question by the patients after receiving the results of the analysis: "What do the words mean:" The rate of erythrocyte sedimentation is increased (or lowered)? ". ESR - the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation (some doctors call ESR - sedimentation reaction) has an indicative nature of the study. Such an analysis shows the presence or absence of an inflammatory process of any complexity. Judging its nature or severity at this stage is impossible. What does the doctor give the data "the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation is increased (or lowered)"? Imagine if you are allergic, and the doctor prescribes medications for you and prescribes treatment for something else. At best, you will put the liver and kidneys on a little by taking unnecessary medicines. At worst, you will complicate the situation by sharpening the current diseases.

The doctor who received the results of the UAC determines the degree of the inflammatory process and prescribes the necessary treatment. If in the results of a medical blood test there is a record "the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation: increased", this indicates a serious inflammatory process, possibly oncology. If the speed is lowered, it is most likely that there will be a fading process of inflammation or an aggravated chronic disease. Having studied other indicators of medical comprehensive examination (urine, feces, fluorography, etc.), the doctor will be able to more accurately diagnose.

If we talk about the standards of blood testing, they have long been known. So, the sedimentation of erythrocytes is normal for men slightly below the female one - up to 15 millimeters per hour. Female is allowed up to 20 mm / hour, depending on the individual condition of the patient. It is interesting that in children, erythrocyte sedimentation is a norm within 5 mm / hr. Physicians associate this with an unformed organism.

In which cases is it worth worrying? If, for example, you got about 50 in the ROE results, then this is a serious cause for concern. In this case, it is quite possible to say that the development of the inflammatory process has reached a serious stage.

Let's figure out what these very red blood cells represent. From the school course it is known that the main blood composition includes leukocytes and erythrocytes. The function of erythrocytes is the transfer of oxygen and various kinds of nutrients to human organs. The task of leukocytes is to protect the body. They are the foundation of our immune system and our defense against viruses. In other words, if the leukocytes did not react to the pathogen, or physically could not react (in the case of external factors such as colds), the red blood cells begin to behave differently from the norm. Let us consider the process of determining ESR and the situation when the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes is increased.

A portion of blood is placed in the marked flask with the working fluid. Erythrocytes react and begin to separate. When they are isolated from the total volume, they become noticeable and, having a different or identical shape, begin to unite (stick together) and settle. If they are large, or faster, and stick faster, this means that the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation is increased. And vice versa - the slower the reaction, the lower the ESR.

By itself, the parameter in the numerical value has no special meaning. In some individual cases, excess of the norm is allowed. The analysis is important in terms of viewing the dynamics of the course of the latent inflammatory process. Periodic blood donation to the study gives the doctor an opportunity to understand how the disease develops, determine the stage of the disease, and, if necessary, prescribe other medicines and procedures.

It is worth noting such a more detailed parameter as the width of the distribution of red blood cells (SHRE). This is a more detailed study of the behavior of erythrocytes at sedimentation rate. The width of their distribution depends on the size and adhesion. If there is a non-uniformity of the form of erythrocytes, then we can talk about the phenomenon - anisocytosis. This means the development of anemia in the human body.