An erythrocyte sedimentation ESR is a blood test that can indicate if there is inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the immune system’s response to injury, contamination, and almost any type of disorder, including disorders of the immune system, certain forms of cancer, and blood disorders.
Red blood cells represent red blood cells. For the pop test, a sample of blood is sent to the laboratory. The caregiver places the sample in a highly sensitive tube and determines the rate at which the red blood cells sink or settle to the bottom of the tube. Normally, the red blood cells bag slowly. Inflammation, however, groups red blood cells into clumps. These clumps of cells are stiffer than individual cells and therefore sink faster.
If an ESR test shows that red blood cells drop faster than normal, it could mean that there is a disease causing inflammation. The speed of the test result is considered symptomatic of the amount of inflammation. A higher ESR means more inflammation. However, once the ESR test is completed, it is not possible to diagnose the function caused by inflammation.
Other names: ESR, SED rate. sedimentation rate; Westergren sedimentation rate
What is it used for?
The ESR test is used in conjunction with other tests to help diagnose disorders that cause inflammation. It can also be used to control these disorders. Almost all types of disorders cause inflammation, including arthritis, vasculitis, infections, and inflammatory bowel disease; ODA can still be used to predict current conditions.
Why is ODA needed?
Caregivers have the option to order an ODA if there are signs of a condition that causes inflammation. Symptoms depend on the condition you have, but it is quite possible they are related to each other:
- Headache
- Unexplained fever.
- Weight loss
- Joint stiffness
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Decreased appetite
- Anemia
What happens during ODA?
The doctor takes blood from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. You will feel some pressure as the needle goes in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Do I need to prepare anything for the ODA?
No special preparation is required for this test. However, if your doctor has ordered other studies on your blood sample, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours for the test. Your doctor will tell you if you should follow any special instructions.
Was there any danger in the test?
There is no sufficient risk with ODA. In the area where the needle is inserted, you can have minor soreness and bruising, but most signs disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
Physicians apply ESR test results along with disease status, signs, and other test results to make a diagnosis; ESR tests cannot diagnose disorders that cause inflammation.
A high ESR test result may be associated with an inflammatory condition, for example
- Arteritis
- Arthritis
- Systemic vasculitis
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney Disease
- Infectious diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases
- Heart disease
- Some forms of cancer
Less ESR rash means that red blood cells are slower than normal. This can be caused by these criteria such as
- Blood disorders, which include
- Polycythemia vera
- Sickle cell disease (SCD).
- Leukocytosis, a significant number of white blood cells (WBC).
If your POC results are not considered normal, this does not necessarily mean that you have a disease that needs to be treated. Pregnancy, menstrual cycle, aging, obesity, constant alcohol consumption, and exercise can all affect POC results. Some medications and supplements may still affect your results, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medications or supplements you use.
Is there anything else I should know about ESRs?
Because an ESR cannot diagnose a specific disease, your doctor has the option of ordering other tests at the same time. Additionally, it is possible to have a condition that causes inflammation and still result in the normal outcome of the doll. Usually, an analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) is performed to provide more information.
Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
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