little-ginge

I know that there are a few medical professionals on here and generally you guys are really helpful

I wondered if someone might be able to shed some light on something.

If someone has blood work undertaken, obviously things like the blood count etc are checked. If the ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate)levels are checked, I understand that a female should have a ESR rate of approx half her age per hour... how worrying is it if the ESR rate keeps climbing to the point that the latest result show a level nearly 6 times higher than it should be???

Should the person be concerned? What should the GP be doing/checking for??

Thanks in Advance

Avi

Any help?
http://www.labtestsonline.org/unders.../esr/test.html

little-ginge

Sort of! Thanks, Avi

Anyone any ideas of what a high ESR reading is??

Fuzz

A rising ESR can mean an increase in inflammation or a poor response to a therapy; a decreasing ESR can mean a good response.


fropm the same site..

Andy

little-ginge

I know that!! What i meant was is say a level of 77 really really bad?Or am I just panicking? I know some of the diseases such as temporal arteritis(sp) your ESR shoots up, and if it is not caught in time, it can have devestating effects, including strokes, lose of sight and even death.

It's actually me who has the rising level. It started off at 40mg 2 years ago, dropped to 25 at the beginning of this year, then went to 56 about 2 months ago. Because of this the DR had it tested again and now its 77.
My GP has told me this week that she is concerned, and has requested that I see my consultant urgently next week...

I just wanted another medical view of the readings really...

Does this make sense?