What does ESR test for?
Apr 26, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Hypergammaglobulinemia leads to diseases such as chronic glomerulonephritis, promotes red blood cell aggregation, and consequently increases erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). In infective endocarditis, inflammatory stimulation causes an elevated ESR. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, routine blood tests may reveal leukopenia and an increased ESR during acute active phases.
ESR usually refers to erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which can be used to evaluate conditions such as hypergammaglobulinemia, infective endocarditis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Hypergammaglobulinemia
Hypergammaglobulinemia may lead to diseases such as chronic glomerulonephritis, which can cause red blood cell aggregation and consequently increase the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
2. Infective Endocarditis
This condition is usually caused by direct infection of heart valves or the endocardium lining the ventricles by microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. Inflammatory stimulation from the infection leads to an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
3. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, routine blood tests may reveal leukopenia and an accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate during acute active phases. When the disease improves or becomes inactive, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate gradually decreases and returns to the normal range.
In addition, this test may also help detect diseases such as liver cancer and lung cancer. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, it is important to seek timely medical care at a hospital and receive active treatment under a physician's guidance.
