What Happens if Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate is High?

ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The ESR blood test measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a test tube.  This happens because inflammation in your body increases the amount of certain proteins clinging to the red blood cells, making them heavier and causing them to fall more quickly. Normally, red blood cells settle slowly, but when there’s inflammation in the body, red blood cells clump together and sink faster. A high ESR can be a sign of infection, anemia, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, and more.  A high ESR doesn’t always mean you have a serious disease. Other factors like age, pregnancy, and menstruation can also slightly elevate it.  If you have high ESR, your doctor may recommend the ESR test to measure the ESR levels in the blood.  Let’s learn more about what causes high ESR and what happens if ESR is high in the body. 

What is the normal range of ESR levels?

The normal range of ESR levels depends on the age and gender:

	Normal ESR Range	Abnormal ESR Range
Make under 50 years old	between 0 and 15 mm/hr	greater than 15
Male over 50 years old	between 0 and 20 mm/hr	greater than 20
Female under 50 years old	between 0 and 20 mm/hr	greater than 20
Female over 50 years old	between 0 and 30 mm/hr	Greater than 30
The normal range in children	between 0 and 10 mm/hr	greater than 10

What are the symptoms of High ESR levels?

The ESR levels cause inflammation in the body, which indicates various diseases and infections. However, the underlying conditions that lead to increased ESR can have symptoms. Here are some common signs of inflammation or infection might include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Joint/muscle pain or stiffness
• Loss of appetite
• Abnormal weight loss/weight gain
• Anemia
• Coughing and sneezing
• Diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain
• Hair loss and fatigue
• Night Sweats

Risk of health issues due to High ESR levels

A high ESR highlights the presence of inflammation and its potential consequences in the body. A persistently high ESR, especially if the underlying cause remains undiagnosed and untreated, can elevate your risk of developing more severe health complications. It indicates the various health issues, including- 

• Joint pain and stiffness- Chronic inflammation in joints indicates rheumatoid arthritis and can damage cartilage and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
• Organ dysfunction-  Persistent inflammation can adversely affect the organ systems like kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. This can lead to impaired function and, in severe cases, even organ failure.
• Skin problems- Inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema often show up as rashes, redness, swelling, and even blistering.
• Fatigue and malaise-  The constant inflammation can drain your energy levels and make you feel tired and sluggish.
• Infection–  If the cause is an infection, the body works hard to fight it. This can lead to symptoms like fever, fatigue, and body aches.

Serious health problems

High ESR levels may also cause some serious health problems, including-

• Cardiovascular Diseases-  Chronic inflammation can harden or narrow the arteries and may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. 

• Autoimmune disease-  Untreated autoimmune diseases can cause high ESR that may cause severe organ damage and disabilities. Inflammatory autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can damage cartilage and surrounding tissues and cause painful, swollen, and stiff joints, particularly in hands, feet, and knees. This may cause dysfunction of kidneys and lungs and rashes and blisters of the lungs. 

• Certain Cancers-  In some cases, chronic inflammation is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, like colon cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and lung cancer.

How to Reduce the High ESR Levels?

To reduce the risk of high ESR levels, it is important to identify the cause of concern and treat it. Take the ESR test from Redcliffe Labs and consult your test reports with your doctor. Based on test results and by identifying the underlying causes, your doctor may recommend the right treatment. However, here are some tips following which you can manage ESR levels. 

• Healthy diet-  A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals and fresh fruits can help to lower ESR levels. If your ESR levels are high, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, protein, lean protein, and healthy fats. Do not eat processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fat. 
• Quit Smoking and Alcohol-  Smoking and alcohol are major inflammatory triggers and can increase the symptoms. Quitting smoking and alcohol can improve your health and reduce ESR levels.
• Manage stress- Stress can exacerbate inflammation and other symptoms. Therefore, it’s important to manage stress by practicing yoga and meditation techniques.

• Medications and supplements-  Depending on the cause of high ESR levels, doctors may prescribe medications such as antibiotics for infections, anti-inflammatory drugs for autoimmune diseases, or immunosuppressants for certain cancers. 
• Manage weight- People who are obese or overweight have a higher risk of chronic inflammation. So, if you are one, try to lose weight with healthy habits. 
• Regular exercise- Physical exercise: Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes daily to reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

Takeaway

The high ESR may not cause health issues, but it signifies the potential underlying health issues if left unchecked. The potential health risks range from joint pain and fatigue to organ dysfunction and even the high risk of serious conditions like heart-related diseases and cancer. Early diagnosis and addressing the root cause of the inflammation can significantly mitigate these risks and pave the way for a healthier future. Therefore, if you have a high ESR, don’t panic. Consult your doctor for further investigation and diagnosis of the underlying cause. Taking proactive steps towards managing the inflammation and addressing its roots can help mitigate potential health risks and pave the way for a healthier future.

What are the causes of high ESR levels?

• Inflammation
• Infection
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Chronic Diseases
• Cancer
• Tissue Injury or Necrosis
• Age and Gender
• Medications
• Pregnancy

What are the common symptoms of high ESR levels?

• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Unexplained Weight Loss