ESR 4: causes, norms and pathologies

A clinical blood test is the study that is prescribed most often. It is carried out in order to assess the general state of human health. One of the non-specific indicators is the ESR indicator - the erythrocyte (red blood cell) sedimentation rate. It can change under the influence of various factors. The ESR parameter of 4 mm / h, as a rule, does not indicate the presence of a pathological process in the body. However, when interpreting the results, the gender and age of the patient must be considered. For example, the ESR rate in a child at 4 years old differs from generally accepted indicators for adults.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: concept

Red blood cells are the heaviest shaped elements of fluid connective tissue. If you place biological material in a test tube and place it vertically, after a while it will begin to separate into fractions. In this case, the plasma will be on top, and the red blood cells will be in the form of a precipitate at the bottom of the tank. The separation of blood into fractions occurs under the influence of gravitational forces.

In addition, red blood cells have one feature. When under certain conditions, the process of formation of a complex of cells starts. In other words, they stick together. It is logical that the mass of the whole complex is greater than that which is characteristic of one cell. Consequently, it will settle to the bottom of the tube faster.

With the development of any pathological process in the body, the rate of formation of complexes increases or, conversely, decreases. Accordingly, the ESR indicator also deviates from the norm in one direction or another. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is determined in mm / h.

Norm indicators for women

It is important to remember that each organism is individual. Nevertheless, ESR indicators found in most patients (95%) are currently considered generally accepted. A slight deviation is permissible, but in this case it is also necessary to find out the cause of this condition.

A clinical blood test is always performed as part of routine examinations. In addition, the study is prescribed to women who have the following symptoms:

1. Signs of anemia.
2. Violation of appetite (up to its complete absence).
3. Pain in the head, neck, shoulders, as well as in the pelvic organs and joints.
4. Weight loss for no apparent reason.

The table below shows generally accepted indicators for women.

As can be seen from the table, at different ages, the norm indicators change. If the blood ESR analysis is 4 mm / h, women from 19 to 50 years old should not worry. In this case, the indicator indicates the absence of pathological processes in the body.

For adolescents and older women, ESR 4 is not the norm. In this case, it is customary to talk about a decrease in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This may be associated not only with certain diseases, but also with natural physiological processes. In addition, a number of factors must be taken into account, including non-compliance with the rules of preparation for the study.

In pregnant women, ESR 4 is clearly not an indicator of the norm. In the first half of the gestational period, the sedimentation rate of red blood cells should vary between 21-62 mm / h. For women with a full physique, the norm is from 18 to 48 mm / h. In the second half of pregnancy, the indicator should be from 40 to 65 mm / h. In obese women, from 30 to 70 mm / h.

Norm indicators for men

ESR values ​​in the stronger sex also change with age. Norm indicators are shown in the table below.

Thus, if a man as a result of the analysis saw that the ESR indicator is 4, you should not worry. This conclusion can be considered ideal.

Norm indicators for children

In this case, the generally accepted values ​​change quite significantly as the child grows up. Clinical blood tests are prescribed to children much more often than adults. This is due to the fact that the doctor needs to evaluate the positive dynamics in acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections and other things. In addition, the study is assigned as part of a routine examination before entering kindergarten, school and other educational institutions.

A newly born baby should not have an ESR of 4 mm / h. This value indicates an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. 1-2 mm / h is the norm in children. ESR of 4 mm / h in a newborn child may indicate high hematocrit, hypercholesterolemia, acidosis.

The first preventive examination of babies takes place at the age of 3 months. During this period, ESR 4 in the analysis is also not a variant of the norm. In babies from 1 month to six months, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate should vary between 12-17 mm / h.

At 1-4 years, the ESR rate in children is from 1 to 8 mm / h. That is, an indicator of 4 mm / h at this age does not indicate the development of any pathological process.

Blood sampling

As biological material, capillary liquid connective tissue is used. The process of taking it from both a finger and a vein takes only a couple of minutes. The study does not involve any special preparatory measures. The only condition is that you need to donate blood on an empty stomach. The last meal should take place no earlier than 4 hours before the collection of biological material.

Blood test by the Panchenkov method

This method is the most common in Russia. For the study, capillary blood is required. Initially, liquid connective tissue is drawn into a thin glass tube on which the divisions are applied. The next step is mixing blood on a glass slide with an anticoagulant in a ratio of 1: 4. This is necessary so that the connective tissue does not curl.

Then the blood is again drawn into the tube (capillary). After this, you must wait 1 hour. After 60 minutes, the laboratory assistant measures the height of the column of plasma separated from the red blood cells. The resulting indicator is the ESR.

Westergren blood test

This method of research is used all over the world (in Russia, doctors are more used to the previous one). The essence of the method remains the same. The difference is that venous blood is used as biological material. In addition, a more accurate scale is used during the analysis.

Factors Affecting Result

The study is not specific. Upon receipt of a result deviated from the norm to a greater or lesser side, a biochemical blood test is indicated. In other words, even if the result is erroneous, it can be confirmed or excluded with the help of another study.

The accuracy of the analysis depends on the following factors:

1. Patient preparation. It is not difficult, just do not eat food for 4 hours before donating blood.
2. Qualifications of the laboratory assistant. In this case, the human factor plays a role.
3. The quality of the reagents, in this case, anticoagulants.

If you get too low or very high results for no apparent reason, the doctor draws up a referral for a repeated clinical study, as well as a biochemical one.

The reasons for the increase in ESR

This situation does not always indicate pathology. Initially, it is necessary to exclude other factors that may lead to a deviation of the indicator from the norm to a greater extent.

Non-pathological causes:

1. Taking combined oral contraceptives.
2. Starvation.
3. Long-term adherence to a strict low-calorie diet.
4. Inadequate water intake.
5. Meals taken less than 4 hours before blood donation.
6. High-intensity physical activity on the eve of taking biomaterial.

When interpreting the results, the doctor initially considers the patient's age. As mentioned above, an ESR rate of 4 years, for example, is not a good indicator for adolescents.

Pathological causes of an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate:

1. Infectious diseases, the course of which is accompanied by inflammatory processes (pneumonia, syphilis, rheumatism, tuberculosis, blood poisoning). ESR during active bacterial activity increases much more than with the multiplication of viruses.
2. Diabetes.
3. Thyrotoxicosis.
4. Rheumatoid polyarthritis.
5. Inflammation of the heart muscle.
6. Liver disease.
7. Pathology of the kidneys.
8. Damage to the pancreas.
9. Bowel disease.
10. Arsenic or lead poisoning.
11. Malignant neoplasms.
12. Myeloma
13. Anemia.
14. Lymphogranulomatosis.
15. Increased concentration of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.

In addition, the ESR indicator changes upwards after receiving various kinds of injuries. It also rises with the use of certain medications, such as Methyldorf or Dextran.

Reasons for the decline

In this case, it is customary to talk about the lack of ability of red blood cells to form complexes of cells.

The main reasons for the change in the indicator downward:

1. Increased blood viscosity.
2. Decrease in pH of a liquid connective tissue.
3. Changing the shape of red blood cells.
4. Obstructive jaundice.
5. Sickle cell anemia.
6. Elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.
7. Low fibrinogen concentration in fluid connective tissue.
8. Reactive erythrocytosis.
9. Circulatory disorders of a chronic nature.
10. Erythremia.

In addition, a decrease in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate may be a consequence of taking hormonal drugs, following a vegetarian diet, and fasting. Also, the indicator deviates from the norm in a smaller direction during the I and II trimester of pregnancy.

Finally

A clinical blood test is a laboratory test that is prescribed most often. Its implementation is shown both in the presence of patient complaints about their well-being, and as part of preventive examinations. One of the clinically significant indicators is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The ESR value of 4 mm / h in most cases does not indicate the development of a pathological process in the patient's body. During the interpretation of the results, the doctor takes into account not only the age, but also the sex of the subject. If the indicator deviates in one direction or another, the specialist should initially exclude non-pathological causes.