What Your ESR Level Reveals About Hidden Health Issues?

Human blood can reveal a lot of hidden things, especially about health issues a person may be carrying. However, there are different parameters in blood levels, which can only be possible by the doctor to detect. Doctors may ask you to undergo a test according to the diagnosis you are facing, one such test is Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Test. 

The ESR test helps to assess the overall presence of infection in the body. It helps to detect the speed at which the red blood cells settle in the test tube. When the lab technician finds the cells clumped with each other due to inflammation, the result would be a high ESR.

Understanding the aspects of ESR blood test could be quite challenging. This article takes you through insights about what your ESR level reveals about hidden health issues.

What is ESR?

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube. When your body contains inflammation, these cells tend to fall faster than usual. The rate at which they settle can suggest the degree of inflammation in the body.

While elevated ESR levels often point to increased inflammation, the test alone cannot identify the specific cause. One must remember that the ESR test isn't the only diagnostic tool but is the path to other tests if required.

Understanding the Normal ESR Range

The normal ESR range in the body is a sign of good health. ESR is valued in millimetres per hour. Below are different normal ranges of ESR:

• 0 to 15 mm/hr in men under 50.

• 0 to 20 mm/hr in women under 50.

• 0 to 10 mm/hr in children.

Your ESR level provides insight into the presence of inflammation in your body. However, a result outside the normal range doesn’t necessarily indicate a health problem. It’s important to consult your doctor to interpret the findings in the context of your overall health.

What does a High ESR level say about health?

An elevated ESR level is a sign of hidden health issues. It is commonly linked to infections such as osteomyelitis, as well as autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammatory disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). 

Additionally, ESR test will present the increase in the level during flare-ups of chronic inflammation and in specific situations such as pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, end-stage kidney disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

Does a higher ESR level indicate danger?

A high ESR report indicates a high level of inflammation in the body. Moreover, it may give the indication of infections developing in the body.

What does low ESR say?

If the ESR test is low, then it could be due to health conditions, including heart failure, kidney issues, and others. An abnormal ESR result doesn’t always demand treatment. Factors such as pregnancy, aging, the menstrual cycle, and physical activity can all influence ESR levels.

Additionally, dietary supplements may affect the results. Be sure to inform your doctor about any drugs or supplements you’re taking before the ESR blood test.

What are the risks involved in high ESR?

If the ESR test result shows a high value, then it can be an issue. This may suggest a higher risk of certain medical conditions or complications from ongoing infections. In some cases, it can also be associated with a less favorable prognosis or treatment outcome. Let’s explore these in more detail.

Heart Disease: A high ESR may suggest an elevated risk of heart disease and stroke, as it reflects ongoing inflammation, a known contributor to cardiovascular problems. However, more specific markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are typically used to assess heart disease risk more accurately.

Kidney Disease: Increased ESR levels can be seen in certain kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease or ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a disorder that causes inflammation in the kidney’s small blood vessels. In these cases, a high ESR may point to more severe kidney damage and a greater risk of complications, particularly in older adults.

Cancer: Elevated ESR levels are sometimes observed in individuals with specific types of cancer, such as lung cancer, potentially aiding doctors in identifying underlying risks. Persistently high ESR readings in cancer patients are also linked to a worse prognosis in several cancer types.

Permanent Joint Damage: An increased ESR can signal significant inflammation in conditions like arthritis. Without timely treatment, this inflammation may lead to irreversible joint damage.

Conclusion

It is important to seek medical assistance when you face symptoms like chronic fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and extreme pain. The doctor may ask you to undergo an ESR blood test to help understand the underlying illness that needs to be treated in the initial stage.