Blood ESR rate

[ravee]

Hello

Recently I had a complete health checkup and found out that the sedimentation rate was 50.  The doctor was puzzled because there was no problem with my ECG, Urine, BP, Chest XRay etc.  Can you please let me know if there is anything to worry about.

Thanks
Ravi

[ramarao74]

Hello

Recently Complete blood profile was studied in which it was noticed that my ESR was 65mm/hr and CRP of 192mg/l. Howevr, my hamoglobin is 15.6,RBC,HEMATOCRIT,MCV,MCHC,RDW,PLATELETS COUNT,WHITE BLOOD CELLS are normal.

At the time the test was done i was having fever with joint pains and cough, with chills in night.

Please advic me whether ESR and CRP elevation is a serious issue or not with respect to other things being normal.

Regards
RR

[HHH,MD]

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific indicator of inflammation.  An ESR of 50 is quite high; most persons with such a level would be fairly obviously sick--perhaps fever, weight loss, cough, etc.  A large number of infections, cancer, and various autoimmune diseases can do it.  Taking a wild guess from your name, if you are in a developing country, various parasitic infestations might be possible.  Or if you are in a setting where HIV is common and you are at risk, that possibility needs to be checked.  Did you have a CBC (complete blood count)?  Most people with such a high ESR have anemia and/or abnormal white blood counts.

If you feel well and are outwardly well, it's a good bet there was an error in the test and nothing is wrong.  In addition to repeat ESR, you could have a C-reactive protein test (CRP), a more modern test for systemic inflammation.  In any case, follow up with your health care provider until you know it is normal or you know the cause.

HHH, MD