An ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) of 70 mm/hr is considered elevated. However, it's crucial to understand that a high ESR alone doesn't diagnose a specific disease or indicate severity. While it suggests inflammation is present, many conditions can cause elevated ESR, ranging from infections to autoimmune diseases and even some cancers. Therefore, an ESR of 70 doesn't automatically mean high-level treatment is required.
What Does ESR Measure?
The ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle in a test tube over a specific time. A faster settling rate (higher ESR) usually indicates inflammation in the body. This inflammation could stem from various sources, including:
- Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
- Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
- Inflammatory disorders: Conditions like Crohn's disease or temporal arteritis.
- Cancers: Certain cancers can cause inflammation, leading to an elevated ESR.
- Tissue injury: Damage to tissues in the body.
Why ESR 70 Doesn't Necessarily Mean High-Level Treatment
Several sources emphasize that a high ESR, even at 70 mm/hr, has low sensitivity in diagnosing specific illnesses. One study states that an ESR of 70 mm/hr or more has "very low sensitivity (always below 30 p. 100)," meaning it's not a reliable indicator of a particular disease's presence or severity. Furthermore, a high ESR is not always indicative of disease severity, except in the case of infectious diseases.
Next Steps: Diagnosis and Treatment
If your ESR is 70, further investigation is necessary to determine the underlying cause. Your doctor will likely order additional tests, such as:
- Complete blood count (CBC): To assess overall blood health.
- CRP (C-reactive protein): Another marker of inflammation.
- Specific antibody tests: To check for autoimmune diseases.
- Imaging studies: Such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, depending on suspected causes.
Treatment will focus on addressing the underlying condition causing the elevated ESR, not the ESR itself. For example, if an infection is responsible, antibiotics might be prescribed. Autoimmune diseases might require medication to suppress the immune system.
Conclusion
An elevated ESR of 70 mm/hr indicates the presence of inflammation but requires further investigation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. It does not automatically imply a need for intensive medical intervention.
