High Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): Unraveling Causes, Symptoms, and Significance

Inflammation is the body's reaction when combating an infection or repairing injuries. The ESR test is a marker for inflammation in the body, with elevated ESR levels indicating potential autoimmune disorders or infections.

ESR is a non-specific blood assessment frequently used to indicate underlying health issues, is cost-effective, and serves as a dependable measure of inflammation. Hence, it is crucial to comprehend the causes and indications of increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR) and the consequences of elevated values.
 

Comprehending erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

ESR refers to the speed at which red blood cells (RBCs) from a blood sample descend to the bottom of a test tube. During episodes of inflammation or cellular damage in the body, the cells clump together and sediment more quickly, resulting in an elevated ESR.

As previously mentioned, ESR is a non-specific sign of inflammation, meaning that heightened ESR levels do not indicate any particular illness. Furthermore, ESR levels can sometimes rise even when inflammation is absent, as they are affected by factors, including the characteristics of RBCs and the levels of albumin proteins and immunoglobulins in the blood. On the other hand, certain inflammatory diseases can occur even with normal ESR readings, underscoring its limitations as a diagnostic tool.
 

Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): causes and implications

If you are curious about the consequences of an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, here’s the information you need:

• Inflammation: Inflammation leads to a rise in acute-phase proteins, making RBCs stickier and heavier, which shortens their settling time and elevates ESR levels, as seen in various inflammatory conditions.
• Autoimmune disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which involve an overactive immune system attacking the body's cells, increase ESR levels.
• Infections: When harmful pathogens invade the body, the immune defence is activated. As previously noted, acute-phase proteins known as pentraxins aid in the defence against infections, ultimately causing a rise in ESR levels.
• Tissue injury: In tissue damage due to trauma, the liver produces acute-phase proteins, leading to higher ESR levels.
   

Symptoms related to a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

ESR is a marker for inflammation within the body and is not specific to any disease. Therefore, a raised ESR does not lead to specific symptoms by itself. Instead, it mirrors the symptoms of the underlying condition. Some causes and symptoms associated with high ESR include:

1. Joint pain and swelling resulting from rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, and ankylosing spondylitis.

2. Fatigue and general faintness resulting from chronic inflammation in the body.
 

High Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): What It Means  

If you’re curious about the implications of a high ESR, here’s how you can understand and utilise this information:

1. Diagnosing diseases/conditions: An elevated ESR signifies inflammation in the body, suggesting the presence of an underlying condition. Additional tests may be necessary to identify the specific condition.  

2. Monitoring diseases: The level of ESR correlates with the degree of inflammation caused by a disease. Consequently, inflammation lessens if the condition improves, reducing ESR levels and vice versa. 

Therefore, ESR is utilised to track the progression of inflammation-related diseases, such as temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, a high ESR could denote unfavourable outcomes in certain cancers, such as Hodgkin’s disease. Stay proactive about your health by regularly monitoring key blood parameters.
 

Causes for increased ESR  

Several factors can contribute to a raised ESR, including:

1. Infections: Various types of infections bacterial, viral, and fungal trigger the immune response, resulting in the production of acute phase proteins, which cause inflammation and ultimately increase ESR levels.  

2. Autoimmune disorders: In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, leading to elevated ESR levels.  

3. Chronic inflammatory diseases: Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease provoke an excessive immune response to gut bacteria, causing inflammation and raising ESR.  

4. Cancers: Chronic inflammation is linked to abnormal cell growth associated with cancer, and the progression of cancer can provoke the body's acute phase response, resulting in inflammation and high ESR levels.  
 

Factors for elevated ESR  

In addition to diseases, some physiological conditions may also lead to high ESR:

1. Older age and being female.  

2. Pregnancy – During pregnancy, increases in plasma proteins like fibrinogen and gamma globulins occur, causing a temporary rise in ESR.  

3. Anaemia alters the characteristics of red blood cells, which can subsequently lead to higher ESR levels.  
 

Understanding high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Results  

It’s common to encounter false negatives and false positives when measuring ESR. Since an elevated ESR necessitates further investigation to determine the underlying cause, it’s crucial to consult a doctor to interpret your ESR results for proper diagnosis and treatment accurately.

A CRP test is performed alongside the ESR to provide additional insights. Further tests, including imaging studies, may also be required.  
 

The importance of monitoring ESR  

1. Disease progression: If the underlying condition deteriorates, ESR levels tend to rise, while a decrease in inflammation from the disease generally leads to lower ESR levels. Thus, ESR can serve as an indicator of disease activity and help track the progress of specific diseases previously mentioned.  

2. Treatment response: ESR levels can also evaluate the body's reaction to treatment in conditions like osteomyelitis. A reduction in ESR suggests a decrease in inflammation severity, which may indicate the treatment's effectiveness.  
 

Conclusion

In conclusion, elevated ESR levels provide valuable insights into potential health issues. However, recognising that a high ESR is a sign, not a definitive diagnosis, is essential, and professional medical consultation is needed. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional tests for a more accurate diagnosis. With TruePal, book your at-home health checkup today and monitor your ESR levels.
 

FAQs

1. What are the symptoms of high ESR levels? 

Elevated ESR levels indicate underlying health issues or infections, and symptoms often include headaches, fever, and pain or stiffness in the joints and muscles.

2. What are the treatment options when ESR is elevated?

If natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments are ineffective, healthcare professionals may recommend medications such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and biological response modifiers.

3. Which foods can lead to high ESR levels? 

Certain dietary choices can result in falsely elevated ESR levels, such as an unbalanced diet or the consumption of specific foods. For instance, refined carbohydrates, fried and processed foods, and certain high-saturated-fat meats may produce a misleadingly high ESR test result.