Normal soy value for women. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Soe in the body

Laboratory analysis definitions of ESR in the blood is a non-specific test for inflammatory processes in the body. The study is highly sensitive, but with its help it is impossible to establish the cause of the increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the blood test.

ESR, definition

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate serves as an indicator of the overall clinical analysis. By determining the rate at which erythrocyte sedimentation occurs, it is estimated in dynamics how effective the treatment is, how quickly recovery occurs.

Methods of analysis for elevated ESR have been known since the beginning of the last century, as a study to determine the ROE, which means "erythrocyte sedimentation reaction", erroneously such a blood test is called soy.

Analysis for the determination of ROE

An analysis to determine the rate at which erythrocytes are deposited is carried out in the morning. At this time, ROE is higher than during the day or in the evening. The analysis is taken on an empty stomach after 8-14 hours of fasting. For the study, material is taken from a vein or taken after a finger puncture. An anticoagulant is added to the sample to prevent clotting.

Then the tube with the sample is placed vertically and incubated for one hour. During this time, the separation of plasma and red blood cells occurs. The erythrocytes settle to the bottom of the tube under the action of gravity, and a column of transparent plasma remains above them.

The height of the liquid column above the settled erythrocytes shows the value of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The unit of measurement of ESR is mm/hour. The erythrocytes that sink to the bottom of the tube form a blood clot.

An elevated ESR means that the test results are higher than normal, and this is caused by a high content of proteins that promote gluing of red blood cells in the blood plasma.

A high level of ESR can be caused by reasons associated with a change in the composition of proteins in the blood plasma:

  • a reduced level of albumin protein, which normally prevents aggregation (aggregation) of erythrocytes;
  • an increase in plasma concentration of immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, which enhance the aggregation of red blood cells;
  • reduced density of red blood cells;
  • changes in plasma pH;
  • malnutrition - deficiency of minerals and vitamins.

A high ESR in the blood does not have an independent meaning, but such a study is used in combination with other diagnostic methods, and this means that one cannot draw a conclusion about the nature of the disease in a patient from the analysis alone.

If ESR levels in the blood rise after diagnosis, this means that it is necessary to change the treatment regimen, conduct additional tests to establish the real reason why soy remains high.

Normal level of ROE values

The range of values ​​that are considered normal is determined statistically when examining healthy people. The average value of ROE is taken as the norm. This means that in some healthy adults, the ESR in the blood will be elevated.

The norm in the blood depends:

  • from age:
    • in older people, soy is higher than in young men and women;
    • in children, ESR is lower than in adults;
  • from gender - this means that women have higher ESR than men.

By exceeding the norm of ESR in the blood, it is impossible to diagnose the disease. Elevated values ​​can be found in perfectly healthy people, while there are cases of normal test values ​​in cancer patients.

The reason for the increased ESR may be an increase in the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, oral contraceptives, anemia, pregnancy. The presence of bile salts, increased plasma viscosity, and the use of analgesics can reduce the analysis indicators.

ESR norm (measured in mm / hour):

  • in children;
    • age 1-7 days - from 2 to 6;
    • 12 months - from 5 to 10;
    • 6 years - from 4 to 12;
    • 12 years - from 4 - 12;
  • adults;
    • in men;
      • up to 50 years from 6 to 12;
      • men after 50 years - from 15 to 20;
    • among women;
      • up to 30 years - from 8 to 15;
      • women from 30 to 50 years old -8 - 20;
      • in women, starting from the age of 50 - 15-20;
      • in pregnant women - from 20 to 45.

Increased ESR in women during pregnancy is observed from 10-11 weeks, and is able to remain at a high level in the blood for another month after childbirth.

If a woman has a high ESR in the blood for longer than 2 months after childbirth, and the increase reaches 30 mm / h, this means that inflammation develops in the body.

There are 4 degrees of increase in the level of ESR in the blood:

  • the first degree corresponds to the norm;
  • the second degree falls in the range from 15 to 30 mm / h - this means that the soybean is moderately increased, the changes are reversible;
  • the third degree of elevated ESR is the analysis of soybeans above the norm (from 30 mm / h to 60), which means that there is a strong aggregation of red blood cells, a lot of gamma globulins have appeared, the amount of fibrinogen has increased;
  • the fourth degree corresponds to a high level of ESR, the test results exceed 60 mm / h, which means dangerous deviation all indicators.

Diseases with elevated ESR

ESR in an adult can be increased in the blood for reasons:

  • acute and chronic infections;
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • systemic pathologies of connective tissues;
    • vasculitis;
    • arthritis
    • systemic lupus erythematosus - SLE;
  • malignant tumors:
    • hemoblastoses;
    • collagenosis;
    • multiple myeloma;
    • Hodgkin's disease;
  • tissue necrosis;
  • amyloidosis;
  • heart attack;
  • stroke
  • obesity;
  • stress
  • purulent diseases;
  • diarrhea;
  • burn;
  • liver diseases;
  • nephrotic syndrome;
  • jade;
  • large blood loss;
  • intestinal obstruction;
  • operations;
  • trauma;
  • chronic hepatitis;
  • elevated cholesterol.

Accelerates the reaction of erythrocyte sedimentation food intake, the use of aspirin, vitamin A, morphine, dextrans, theophylline, methyldopa. In women, the cause of an increase in blood ESR may be menstruation.

It is advisable for women of reproductive age to conduct a soy blood test 5 days after last day monthly, so that the results do not exceed the norm.

In adults under 30 years old, if the ESR in blood tests is increased to 20 mm / h, this condition means that there is a focus of inflammation in the body. For the elderly, this value is within the normal range.

Diseases occurring with a decrease in ESR

A decrease in the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells is observed in diseases:

  • cirrhosis of the liver;
  • heart failure;
  • erythrocytosis;
  • sickle anemia;
  • spherocytosis;
  • polycythemia;
  • mechanical jaundice;
  • hypofibrinogenemia.

Slows down the rate of sedimentation in the treatment of calcium chloride, corticosteroids, diuretics, glucose. The use of corticosteroids, treatment with albumin can reduce the activity of the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction.

ROE values ​​in diseases

The greatest rise in analysis values ​​occurs in inflammatory and oncological processes. An increase in the values ​​of analyzes for ESR is noted 2 days after the onset of inflammation, which means that inflammatory proteins appeared in the blood plasma - fibrinogen, complement proteins, immunoglobulins.

The cause of a very high ESR in the blood is not always fatal dangerous disease. With symptoms of inflammation of the ovaries, fallopian tubes in women, signs of purulent sinusitis, otitis media and other purulent infectious diseases, blood ESR tests can reach 40 mm / h - an indicator that is not usually expected in these diseases.

In acute purulent infections, the indicator can reach the level of 100 mm / h, but this does not mean that a person is terminally ill. This means that you need to be treated and do the analysis again after 3 weeks (erythrocyte lifetime), and sound the alarm if there is no positive dynamics, and soy in the blood is still elevated.

The reasons why there is a sharply increased high soybean in the blood, reaching up to 100 mm / h, are:

SLE, arthritis, tuberculosis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, ectopic pregnancy - with all these and a number of other diseases, adults have an increased ESR in blood tests, which means that the body is actively producing antibodies and inflammatory factors.

In children, the ESR index is sharply increased during acute infection with ascaris, the amount of immunoglobulins in the blood increases, which means that the risk increases allergic reactions. ESR in helminthiases in children can reach 20-40 mm/h.

Soy rises up to 30 and above at ulcerative colitis. Anemia is another reason why a woman has high soy in the blood, its value increases to 30 mm / hour. Increased soy in the blood of women with anemia is a very unfavorable symptom, which means low hemoglobin in combination with an inflammatory process, and occurs in pregnant women.

In a woman of reproductive age, the cause of an elevated ESR in the blood, reaching 45 mm / h, may be endometriosis.

The growth of the endometrium increases the risk of infertility. That is why, if a woman has an increased ESR in the blood, and increases with repeated studies, she definitely needs to be examined by a gynecologist to rule out this disease.

An acute inflammatory process in tuberculosis raises the ESR values ​​to 60 and above. The Koch wand that causes this disease is not sensitive to most anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics.

Changes in autoimmune diseases

ESR rises significantly in chronic autoimmune diseases, with frequent relapses. By repeated analysis, one can get an idea of ​​whether the disease is in the acute stage, to determine how correctly the treatment regimen is chosen.

At rheumatoid arthritis ROE values ​​increase to 25 mm/h, and during exacerbations they exceed 40 mm/h. If a woman has an increased ESR, reaching 40 mm / h, this means that the amount of immunoglobulins in the blood is increased, and one of possible causes this condition is thyroiditis. This disease is often autoimmune in nature and is 10 times less common in men.

With SLE, the values ​​of the analyzes increase to 45 mm/h and even more, and can reach 70 mm/h, the level of increase often does not correspond to the danger of the patient's condition. And a sharp increase in analysis indicators means the addition of an acute infection.

In kidney diseases, the range of ESR values ​​is very wide, the indicators vary depending on gender, the degree of the disease from 15 to 80 mm/h, always exceeding the norm.

Indicators for oncology

High ESR in adults with oncological diseases is more often noted due to a solitary (single) tumor, while blood test indicators reach values ​​of 70-80 mm / h and more.

A high level is observed in malignant neoplasms:

  • bone marrow;
  • intestines;
  • lungs;
  • ovary;
  • mammary glands;
  • cervix;
  • lymph nodes.

Such high rates are also observed in other diseases, mainly in acute infections. If the patient does not experience a decrease in test scores when taking anti-inflammatory drugs, then the doctor may refer the patient for an additional examination to rule out cancer.

Not always with oncology, the ESR in the blood rises sharply and its value is much higher than the norm, which does not allow using such a study as a diagnostic one. There are enough cases when an oncological disease occurs with an ESR of less than 20 mm / h.

However, this analysis can help in the diagnosis already at the early stages of the disease, since an increase in the analysis indicators is noted on early stages cancer, when there is often no clinical symptoms illness.

With an increase in ESR in the blood, there is no single treatment regimen, since the reasons for the increase are varied. It is possible to influence the test results only if the treatment of the disease that caused the increase in ESR is started.

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Many are interested in the question of what is ESR. This officially approved abbreviation for ESR means erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR is determined as part of the KLA - general analysis). ESR indicators largely depend on the age and gender of the patient. ESR concepts(norm) and ROE (erythrocyte sedimentation reaction) are identical, but the latter is considered obsolete. Diagnostic method, which allows you to determine the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in adults and children, is interpreted by a specialist.

How value is determined

In the body healthy person erythrocytes, under the influence of an anticoagulant, settle on the capillary walls. The study of ESR indicates the speed of reaction and the time of sedimentation of bodies in the blood, during which the plasma is divided into 2 layers (upper and lower). ESR is sensitive but not specific. Units of measurement are millimeters.

A general blood test helps prevent the development of oncological, rheumatic and infectious pathologies. Normal indicators of ESR in men and women most often differ. If the ESR in the blood test shows overestimated values, this means that the method is most indicative, especially with an accelerated reaction. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the blood can be determined by several methods:

  • Westergren;
  • Vintroba;
  • Panchenkov.

Pregnant women must be prescribed an ESR analysis. In this case, the value of ESR varies depending on the period.

Method according to Westergren

The Westergren ESR blood test fully meets all the requirements of the International Committee for the Standardization of Blood Research. The sample is taken from a vein, sodium citrate is added to the blood. First of all, the tripod distance is determined: from the upper border of the plasma to the upper level of settled erythrocytes. Diagnosis of ESR in the blood is carried out 60 minutes after mixing all the components.

How often do you take a blood test?

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    Only by doctor's prescription 31%, 1709 votes

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    I monitor my health and take it once a month 6%, 337 votes

    I'm afraid of this procedure and try not to pass 4%, 235 votes

21.10.2019

Method according to Wintrobe

Material for a clinical blood test is taken from a vein and mixed with anticoagulants. The measurement of speed is determined by a special scale on the tube, inside which there is blood. Indicators in general analysis blood samples in an adult may be incorrect due to the fact that the tube is sometimes clogged with settled blood cells. So ESR in a blood test (norm) is measured according to the Wintrob method.

Method according to Panchenkov

Capillary blood is mixed with a reagent, a stand with biomaterial is placed in a special apparatus for 60 minutes. If the study showed the same results as the Westergren method, then most likely the speed is increased. The analysis for ESR according to the Panchenkov method is carried out using sodium citrate. Comparison table:

According to Westergren's method (ESR mm/h)According to the Panchenkov method
14 13
17 16
21 19
31 27
36 30
40 34
49 40
51 43

At present, medicine has ample opportunities, however, for a particular type of diagnostics, research methods developed almost a century ago have not lost their relevance. The ESR indicator (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), formerly referred to as ROE (erythrocyte sedimentation reaction), has been known since 1918. Methods for its measurement have been defined since 1926 (according to Westergren) and 1935 according to Winthrop (or Wintrobe) and have been used to this day. A change in ESR (ROE) helps to suspect a pathological process at its very beginning, identify the cause and proceed to early treatment. The indicator is extremely important for assessing the health of patients. As part of the article, we will consider situations when people are diagnosed with elevated ESR.

ESR - what is it?

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is really a measurement of the movement of erythrocytes under certain conditions, calculated in millimeters per hour. For the study, a small amount of the patient's blood is needed - the calculation is included in the overall analysis. It is estimated by the size of the plasma layer (the main component of blood) remaining on top of the measuring vessel. For the reliability of the results, it is necessary to create conditions under which only the force of gravity (gravity) will affect the erythrocytes. It is also necessary to prevent blood clotting. In the laboratory, this is done thanks to anticoagulants.

The process of erythrocyte sedimentation can be divided into 3 stages:

  1. slow settling;
  2. Acceleration of sedimentation (due to the formation of erythrocyte columns formed in the process of gluing individual erythrocyte cells);
  3. Settling slowdown and complete stop of the process.

Most often, it is the first phase that matters, but in some cases it is necessary to evaluate the result even a day after blood sampling. This is already done in the second and third stages.

Why does the parameter value go up

The level of ESR cannot directly indicate the pathogenic process, since the reasons for the increase in ESR are diverse and are not a specific sign of the disease. In addition, the indicator does not always change during the course of the disease. There are several physiological processes in which ESR increases. Why, then, is analysis still widely used in medicine? The fact is that the change in ROE is observed at slightest pathology at the very beginning of its manifestation. This allows you to take emergency measures to normalize the condition, before the disease seriously undermines human health. In addition, the analysis is very informative in assessing the body's response to:

  • Conducted drug treatment, (use of antibiotics);
  • With suspicion of myocardial infarction;
  • Appendicitis in the acute phase;
  • angina;
  • Ectopic pregnancy.

Pathological increase in the indicator

Elevated ESR in the blood is observed in the following groups of diseases:
Infectious pathologies, often of a bacterial nature. An increase in ESR may indicate an acute process or chronic course diseases
Inflammatory processes, including purulent and septic lesions. With any localization of diseases, a blood test will reveal increase in ESR
Connective tissue diseases. ESR is high in SCS - systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic scleroderma and other similar diseases
Inflammation localized in the intestine in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease
malignant formations. The highest rate rises with multiple myeloma, leukemia, lymphoma (the analysis determines an increase in ESR in bone marrow pathology - immature red blood cells that are unable to perform their functions enter the bloodstream) or stage 4 cancer (with metastases). Measurement of ESR helps to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph nodes)
Diseases accompanied by tissue necrosis (myocardial infarction, stroke, tuberculosis). Approximately one week after tissue damage, the ESR index increases to the maximum
Blood disorders: anemia, anisocytosis, hemoglobinopathies
Diseases and pathologies accompanied by an increase in blood viscosity. For example, profuse bleeding intestinal obstruction, prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, postoperative recovery period
Diseases of the biliary tract and liver
Diseases of metabolic processes and endocrine system(cystic fibrosis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis and others)
Trauma, extensive skin damage, burns
Poisoning (food products, waste products of bacteria, chemicals etc.)

Elevation above 100 mm/h

The indicator exceeds the level of 100 m/h in acute infectious processes:

  • SARS;
  • sinusitis;
  • Flu;
  • Pneumonia;
  • Tuberculosis;
  • Bronchitis;
  • Cystitis;
  • Pyelonephritis;
  • Viral hepatitis;
  • Fungal infections;
  • malignant formations.

A significant increase in the norm does not occur immediately, the ESR grows for 2-3 days before it reaches a level of 100 mm / h.

When an increase in ESR is not a pathology

Do not sound the alarm if a blood test showed an increase in the rate of sedimentation of red blood cells. Why? It is important to know that the result needs to be evaluated over time (compared to earlier blood tests) and to take into account some factors that may increase the value of the results. In addition, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation syndrome can be a hereditary feature.

ESR is always increased:

  • During menstruation in women;
  • When pregnancy occurs (the indicator can exceed the norm by 2 or even 3 times - the syndrome persists for some time after childbirth, before returning to normal);
  • When women use oral contraceptives ( birth control pills for oral administration);
  • In the morning. Known fluctuations in the value of ESR during the day (in the morning it is higher than in the afternoon or in the evening and at night);
  • At chronic inflammation(even if it is a common cold), the presence of acne, boils, splinters, etc., a syndrome of elevated ESR can be diagnosed;
  • Some time after the completion of treatment for a disease that can cause an increase in the rate (often the syndrome persists for several weeks or even months);
  • After eating spicy and fatty foods;
  • In stressful situations immediately before the test or the day before;
  • With allergies;
  • Some medications can give such a reaction from the blood;
  • With a lack of vitamins from food.

An increase in the level of ESR in a child

In children, the ESR indicator may increase for the same reasons as in adults, however, the list above can be supplemented by the following factors:

  1. At breastfeeding(neglecting mom's diet can cause accelerated red blood cell sedimentation syndrome);
  2. Helminthiases;
  3. The period of teething (the syndrome persists for some time before and after it);
  4. Fear of testing.

Methods for determining results

There are 3 methods for calculating ESR manually:

  1. According to Westergren. For research, blood is taken from a vein, mixed in a certain proportion with sodium citrate. The measurement is carried out according to the tripod distance: from the upper border of the liquid to the border of red blood cells settled in 1 hour;
  2. According to Wintrobe (Winthrop). The blood is mixed with an anticoagulant and placed in a tube marked with divisions. At a high rate of red blood cell sedimentation (more than 60 mm/h), the inner cavity of the tube is quickly clogged, which can distort the results;
  3. According to Panchenkov. For research, blood is needed from the capillaries (taken from a finger), 4 parts of it are combined with a part of sodium citrate and placed in a capillary graduated to 100 divisions.

It should be noted that analyzes performed using different methods cannot be compared with each other. When increased rate the most informative and accurate is the first method of calculation.

Currently, laboratories are equipped with special devices for automated calculation of ESR. Why is automatic scoring popular? This option is the most effective, since it eliminates the human factor.

When making a diagnosis, it is necessary to evaluate the blood test in the complex, in particular, great importance give to leukocytes. With normal leukocytes, an increase in ESR may indicate residual effects after the disease; at low - on the viral nature of the pathology; and at elevated levels - to bacterial.

If a person doubts the correctness of the blood tests performed, then you can always double-check the result in a paid clinic. Currently, there is a method that determines the level of CRP - C-reactive protein, it excludes the influence of third-party factors and indicates the response of the human body to the disease. Why hasn't it become widespread? The study is a very costly undertaking, it is impossible for the country's budget to implement it in all public medical institutions, but in European countries they have almost completely replaced the measurement of ESR with the determination of PSA.

Every day in the world of medicine there are more and more new ways of diagnosing diseases. Despite this, a complete blood count is still the most important. This is the first study that doctors refer to for any complaints. In the general analysis, leukocytes, hemoglobin, platelets and other significant components are evaluated. Along with them, one of the main indicators that help assess the patient's condition will be ESR.

What is SOE?

ESR - this term stands for the capital letters of the full name - "erythrocyte sedimentation rate." Now let's take a closer look at what this indicator is, what can it talk about?

ESR is very important. Any deviation from normal indicators will talk about the presence in a person in the body of a certain inflammatory focus. In order to correctly determine the level of ESR, the analysis must be taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. Otherwise, the results may be unreliable.

ESR shows us the degree to which erythrocytes settle over a certain time period.


An analysis of the ESR allows, in combination with other indicators, to assess the state of the body. It can also be used to track the dynamics of the disease, to judge the correct choice of a particular treatment.

This indicator is very sensitive, it usually reacts at the earliest stages of the disease, when there are no clinical symptoms yet. The level of ESR increases with infectious, rheumatological, oncological diseases.

It happens that ESR can increase even with severe stress, physical fatigue, dietary restrictions. But in this case, its increase is short-term.

Important! If the ESR is high long time should be carefully examined to determine the cause.

How is ESR determined?

ESR in the blood is usually determined by two methods: according to Westergren and according to Panchenkov.

The method by which analysis is most often performed is the Panchenkov method. Its essence is to mix capillary blood with sodium citrate (anticoagulant), after which it will be divided into two layers. In the lower layer there will be erythrocytes, in the upper layer - plasma and leukocytes.

There are a number of factors that will affect the erythrocyte sedimentation rate:

  • The number of erythrocytes. If their number in the blood is lowered, then the sedimentation will be faster. Accordingly, if their content is increased, then they will settle more slowly.
  • When an infection occurs the immune system will respond with the production of special antibodies, due to which the ESR increases.
  • With increased acidity of the blood, the ESR will also be increased.
Currently, the vast majority of laboratories are equipped with special equipment for calculating ESR automatically. This is effective, as it eliminates errors due to the human factor.


The norm of ESR in the blood

ESR norms differ in variability, may depend on age, gender, psychological state, the patient's weight, his individual characteristics.
  • norm for men: 1-12 mm/h
  • norm for women: 2-16 mm / h
  • in pregnant women, ESR will always be elevated: up to 45 mm / h
  • norm in children:
    • in the first days of life - 1 mm / h;
    • 0-6 months - 2-4 mm / h;
    • 6 months - 1 year - 4-9mm / h;
    • 1-10 years - 4-12 mm / h;
    • up to 18 years - 2-12 mm / h.

ESR: norm, reasons for the increase (video)


After watching this video, you can get an idea of ​​​​what ESR is, get a little familiar with its standards and find out why it can be increased.

Reasons for the decrease in ESR

Low ESR values ​​do not always indicate health problems. There are the following reasons:
  • Cholecystitis, liver disease. As a result of these diseases, an increased amount of bile is produced.
  • Increased number of red blood cells.
  • Heart failure.
  • Increasing the acidity of the blood.
  • Deficiency of vitamins and minerals. May be low in vegans, in which case it is considered a variant of the norm.
  • Sickle cell anemia. Erythrocytes have irregular shape, respectively, settle more slowly.
Very rarely, low ESR will accompany circulatory disorders, stomach ulcers, epilepsy, and the use of certain drugs (aspirin).

Reasons for increasing ESR

There are many reasons why the erythrocyte sedimentation rate may increase. To begin with, there may be elementary physiological reasons for this.

These include:

  • dietary restrictions, all kinds of diets and starvation;
  • pregnancy;
  • the presence of menstruation at the time of taking the analysis;
  • allergies;
  • the blood test was not taken on an empty stomach (you can’t eat 8 hours before donating blood);
  • helminthiases.
Increased ESR in the presence of diseases. There are several groups:
  • Autoimmune diseases and collagenoses: systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, rheumatism, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, periarteritis nodosa, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma and etc.
  • Infectious diseases. Acute respiratory viral infections, bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, influenza, cystitis, pyelonephritis and others. All of these diseases cause a strong immune response and increased production of antibodies. A high concentration of immunoglobulins in the blood increases the ESR.
  • Oncology.
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis.
  • Myocardial infarction. Damaged cardiac muscle tissue initiates an inflammatory response, as a result of which fibrinogen is intensively synthesized, which leads to an increase in ESR.
  • Endocrine diseases. Diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism.
  • kidney disease - hydronephrosis, glomerulonephritis, urolithiasis.
  • Conditions in which the viscosity of the blood increases. Severe food poisoning, intestinal obstruction, blood transfusion.
  • Trauma, burns.
  • Diseases associated with metabolic disorders. Cystic fibrosis, obesity.
It should be noted that the ESR does not grow instantly to high rates, but slowly, a day or two after the onset of the disease. As you recover, the decrease in ESR also occurs gradually.

Increased ESR in the blood in women and men

In females, an increase in ESR may be due to:
  • taking oral contraceptives;
  • menstruation;
  • the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • eating disorders. Women often abuse low-calorie diets.
All these reasons do not pose any danger, it is considered physiological.

In some men (they are about 5-8%), the ESR is slightly increased, this is also a variant of the norm. It could be lifestyle, abuse bad habits or just personal preference.


Increased ESR in the blood of a child

High ESR in children is often due to the same reasons as in adults.
  • infectious diseases;
  • allergies;
  • severe intoxication of the body;
  • trauma;
  • disturbed metabolism;
  • worms.

Note! If the ESR is slightly increased, the reason may be different: lack of vitamins, teething, medication.


To find out the reason, parents should take care of a thorough examination of the child.

How to lower ESR

A high ESR in itself is not a pathology. It only indicates that there is some kind of disease in the body. Normalization will occur when the disease is completely cured.

In most cases, liquidation is required inflammatory process in the body. Additional studies are being conducted to clarify the exact diagnosis. After that, the doctor makes his verdict and prescribes the proper treatment. After the disease is cured, the ESR decreases.

Often, bad blood tests are associated with liver problems. She may suffer malnutrition, alcohol, overweight, infectious and viral diseases. As a result, the liver does not have time to perform the function of cleansing the body of toxins, and they enter the bloodstream. AT result of ESR may deviate from normal values. Then therapeutic measures should be aimed at eliminating this problem. You can drink medicines to support the functioning of the liver, hepatic herbal preparations.

ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) in the blood: the norm in women by age (table)

In this article we will talk about such a blood test as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Consider the norm of ESR in women by age in the table, explain the reasons for the deviations and tell you how to normalize its level.

What is SOE?

ESR is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the analysis of the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction (ROE) is also used.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is one of the indicators by which you can find out about the course of inflammation, which is diverse in origin.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a measure of how quickly red blood cells (red blood cells) settle at the bottom of the glass tube containing the blood sample. The test actually measures the rate of fall (sedimentation) of red blood cells in a blood sample that has been placed in a tall, thin vertical tube.

How is ESR determined?

In order to find out this indicator, an anticoagulant (an element that prevents clotting) is injected into the blood for analysis and it is placed in a test tube placed in a vertical position for 60 minutes. Plasma is lighter than erythrocytes, for this reason they settle at the bottom of the tube under the influence of gravity.

The blood will be divided into two parts: red blood cells will remain at the bottom, and plasma will remain at the top. After 1 hour, the rate at which the erythrocytes descend along the height of the part of the plasma that has appeared is observed in millimeters. The number on the scale of the test tube, located at the boundary between the two parts, is called the settling rate, measured in millimeters per hour.

With diseases in the blood, the level of fibrinogen increases (this is one of the proteins acute stage inflammation process) and globulins (defense elements that appear in the blood to fight elements that cause inflammation - microbes, viruses), which can lead to agglutination and precipitation of red blood cells and an increase in the indicator.

As a rule, ESR begins to rise a day or two after the inflammation has begun, and it becomes much higher somewhere in the second week of the disease, sometimes the peak occurs at the time of the cure for the disease. This is due to the fact that the body needs time to produce antibodies in the required amount. Measuring an indicator several times will provide more information than measuring a given indicator just once.

Various methods are used to determine the level of the indicator. The most common in Russia remains Panchenkov's method. At the world level, the most common measurement method is Westergren analysis.

These methods can be distinguished from each other by different test tubes and a result scale. The range of the norm for these methods is the same, but the second method is more sensitive to an increase in the indicator, and in the range of values ​​above the norm, the results taken by the second method are greater than the results that were found out by the Panchenkov method.

The norm of ESR in the blood in women by age (table)

Reference (permissible) values ​​are selected individually, taking into account the age, stage or duration of pregnancy. It is up to each woman to interpret the information received from the analysis. However, the findings are of no diagnostic value without a complete history. You should provide a transcript of the results and clarification of the diagnosis to the attending physician.

The table below summarizes the ESR indicators characteristic of a healthy woman.

Reasons for increasing and decreasing ESR

ESR is determined by a large number of factors.

During the period of bearing a child, women change protein composition blood, which leads to an increase in the rate at a given time.

Level fluctuation is allowed in different periods days, the highest level of ESR is typical for the day.

If there is infection or inflammation in the acute stage, fluctuations in ESR can be seen a day after the onset elevated temperature and the appearance of a large number of leukocytes.

If the inflammation is chronic, fluctuations in the index occur due to an increase in the concentration of specific proteins and antibodies. The viscosity of the blood and the total number of erythrocytes also have a great influence on the speed. For example, when there is a serious decrease in blood viscosity, an increase in the indicator may well occur, and in diseases associated with an increase in red blood cells, on the contrary, the viscosity increases and the sedimentation rate decreases.

ESR increases with the following problems and diseases:

  • disease respiratory tract(ORZ,);
  • inflammation Bladder, as a result of infection;
  • non-specific inflammation with a primary lesion of the pyelocaliceal system of the kidneys;
  • infection (, infective endocarditis, (blood poisoning));
  • giant cell arteritis;
  • systemic ;
  • kawasaki syndrome ;
  • inflammatory;
  • kidney failure, ;
  • certain types of cancer;
  • rheumatic and bacterial inflammation of the inner lining of the heart;
  • nonspecific, brucellosis, gonorrheal polyarthritis;
  • poisoning;
  • injuries, bruises, sprains;
  • obesity;
  • prolonged bleeding;
  • , etc.

ESR decreases with the following problems and diseases:

  • diseases of cardio-vascular system;
  • simultaneous malfunctions of the liver and biliary tract;
  • starvation and lack of minerals and vitamins in the body;
  • with prolonged nutrition of plant and dairy foods with the rejection of meat foods of animal origin;
  • the use of liquids in large quantities;
  • use of steroid hormones
  • (shift of the acid-base balance of the body in the direction of increasing acidity).
  • frequent use of acetylsalicylic acid tablets.

In most cases, deviations in ESR indicate inflammation in the body. Diseases associated with an increase in blood cells, changes in the composition of blood proteins. However, an ESR blood test is not used alone to diagnose any of the above conditions. The doctor usually combines the analysis with other studies.

ESR is considered a non-specific test because high readings often indicate inflammation but do not tell doctors where the inflammation is located in the body or what is causing the disease process. Conditions other than inflammation can affect the erythrocyte sedimentation response. For this reason, ESR is commonly used in conjunction with other studies. Often carried out with analysis for.

During pregnancy

When carrying a fetus, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in women is examined 4 times:

  • at the beginning after fertilization up to the 4th month;
  • at 20-21 weeks of gestation;
  • at 28-30 weeks;
  • before the end of pregnancy (childbirth).

Due to hormonal changes that last throughout the entire period of development in the body of the fetus, the level of ESR in a woman changes significantly during 9 months of pregnancy, and may also change for some time after childbirth.

  • 1 trimester of pregnancy. The rate of ESR in the blood in the first 30 days of pregnancy is unstable: depending on the build, body shape and individual characteristics, the indicator can be low (12 mm / h) or increased (up to 40 mm / h).
  • 2nd trimester of pregnancy. At this time, the condition of expectant mothers normalizes and the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation becomes 20-30 mm / h.
  • 3rd trimester of pregnancy. The last terms of gestation are characterized by a significant increase in the permissible norm of ESR - from 25 to 40 mm / h. Such sharp indicators indicate the rapid development of the embryo in the womb and does not require therapy.

After childbirth, ESR in women remains high, because as a result of labor pains, a woman can lose a lot of blood. For a couple of months after the birth of a baby, ESR can reach 35 mm / h. When hormonal processes are rebuilt back to normal, the ESR level in a woman decreases to 0-20 mm / h.

During menopause in women

Age-related restructuring in a woman's body is characterized by strong hormonal disruptions that affects plasma and blood cells. During the norm of ESR in the blood, it mainly increases, and can reach up to 50 mm / h.

In women after 50-60 years, the level of erythrocyte sedimentation can be quite elevated (up to 30 mm / h), which is the norm, if other blood parameters do not exceed acceptable normal values.

However, after menopause ESR in the blood in women more than 50 mm / h may indicate the following pathologies:

  • hyperfunction thyroid gland(hyperthyroidism, occurring in 40% of women after 45 years;
  • cancer of any organ;
  • rheumatism;
  • STD;
  • pathology of the urinary system.

A reduced level of ESR during menopause and during the postmenstrual syndrome always indicates pathological processes in a woman's body.

Preparation for the delivery of analyzes for ESR

There is no special preparation for testing for the erythrocyte sedimentation reaction. There are a number of drugs that can affect the result of the tests:

  • androgens, in particular testosterone;
  • estrogens;
  • sodium salicylate and others medicines, analgesics and antipyretics from the group of salicylic acid derivatives;
  • valproic acid;
  • divalproex sodium;
  • phenothiazines;
  • prednisone.

Tell your doctor if you have recently used anything on the list.

How is the procedure for taking blood

In adults, blood is taken from a vein in the arm. In the case of infants, blood can be taken by pricking the heel with a small needle (lancet). If blood is taken from a vein, the surface of the skin is cleaned with an antiseptic, and an elastic band (tourniquet) is placed around the arm to induce pressure. The needle is then inserted into a vein (usually at the level of the elbow on inside hands or on the back of the hand), and take blood, which is collected in a test tube or syringe.

After the procedure, the gum is removed. As soon as enough blood is collected for the study, the needle is removed, the area is covered with a cotton pad or cotton swab with alcohol to stop the bleeding. The collection of blood for this test takes only a few minutes.

Complications when taking blood

Any of the methods of drawing blood (from the heel or from the vein) will cause temporary discomfort, and the only thing you will feel is a prick. Subsequently, it is possible that a small bruise will form, which should disappear in a few days.

What to do if ESR deviated from the norm?

If there are no complaints other than a change in ESR, or if the patient has recently had infectious diseases, the doctor will again conduct ESR studies in a week. If the erythrocyte sedimentation rate returns to the normal range during the next test, it is enough to wait and perform a new test.

However, if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is still elevated or other symptoms appear, additional examinations (such as LDH, transaminases, creatinine,) are necessary. If necessary, the doctor also conducts an ultrasound scan. abdominal cavity or a chest x-ray.

How to reduce the level of ESR

If the cause of the elevated ESR is infectious or inflammatory disease, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs will help reduce rates.

If the deviations are caused by pregnancy, the ESR will return to normal after the birth of the child.

In some cases folk remedies used to relieve inflammation. Particularly popular in acute infectious diseases are medicines based on herbs, garlic, onion, lemon, beetroot, honey(and others bee products, for example: ). Decoctions, infusions, teas are prepared from herbs. Most effective mother and stepmother, chamomile, linden flower, raspberry.

For a long time, beetroot products have been used to treat acute infections. To prepare a healing drink, several beets must be boiled for 3 hours over low heat, then cooled, strained and drink 50 ml of the drink. You can squeeze freshly squeezed beetroot juice and take 50g per day for 10 days. Another option is to replace the juice with raw beets, grated.

You can also use all citrus fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemon. Tea with raspberry and lime is very useful.

Nutrition with elevated ESR

The level of ESR and lymphocytes increases as a result of inflammation. There are a number of products that can reduce inflammation and normalize ESR:

  • omega 3 and 6 fatty acid found in fatty fish oil will reduce inflammation in the body;
  • Olive oil contains antioxidants called polyphenols that will help reduce or prevent inflammation.
  • also foods high in antioxidants (spinach, yogurt, nuts, carrot-carrot juice).

Avoid:

  • foods high in saturated or trans fats;
  • Sahara.

Conclusion

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a useful, simple and inexpensive laboratory test that, despite its centuries of performance, continues to be a valuable tool in medical work, especially in rheumatology, hematology and other fields.

Its indication and interpretation require intelligent thinking to underestimate or overestimate the result, always subject to a number of factors specific to pathology and evolution. various types patients.

What else is called this indicator: erythrocyte sedimentation reaction, ROE, erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Additional Information

What do red blood cells say to a doctor?

90 percent of all blood cells are red blood cells. Their color comes from the red blood pigment (hemoglobin), an iron-containing protein that can bind oxygen and, in particular, carbon dioxide.

Diagnosis of anemia

The concentration of red blood pigment can be determined by a blood sample. In addition, the number of red blood cells is determined. If both sizes are reduced, this indicates anemia. The causes may be blood loss, a violation of the formation of red blood cells. If the doctor detects anemia, he will begin further research to identify the causes of the disorder. Common cause lack of iron.

Interesting

Higher education (Cardiology). Cardiologist, therapist, functional diagnostics doctor. Well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Graduated from the academy (full-time), has a lot of work experience behind her.

Specialty: Cardiologist, Therapist, Doctor of Functional Diagnostics.