Guest guest Posted June 7, 2004 Report Share Posted June 7, 2004 Fliss, That's also known as a sedimentation test, which measures our SED rate, which as you said, could indicate that there is inflamation SOMEWHERE. It would be nice to know where, wouldn't it? I admit that I know nothing whatsoever about these tests or what the levels should be. If your pancreas is feeling okay, I suspect it might have something to do with those troublesome feet problems you've been having. It does sound much like an arthritis condition, doesn't it? Have you had any arthritis-type problems anywhere else, like in your fingers, hands or wrists? I hope they can uncover what the problem is quickly, and solve it just as fast. You certainly don't need any more problems, but whatever it is, I hope it can be treated easily and doesn't cause you any more stress. With love, hope and prayers, Heidi Heidi H. Griffeth South Carolina SC & SE Regional Rep. PAI Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 Fliss, Gotta put my two cents worth into this discussion about ESRs (seeing that I test about 100 a week). The higher the value of the rate (mm / hour) the faster the cells sink . A slow rate is a normal rate and is usually less than 20mm / hour (but this can be affected by age, sex, meds and physical activity prior to the blood draw, as well as how the blood was handled in the lab). The red blood cells sink faster because they become stacked and thus more organized. This stacking can occur because of the inflammation proteins in the blood. Plasma getting thicker doesn't really have a role in this phenomenom. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2004 Report Share Posted June 8, 2004 ESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and its a test of how fast your red cells sink to the bottom of a tube. The more inflammation you have, the slower they sink, because the inflammation makes the clear part of the blood (the sera) have all sorts of inflammatory proteins in it that " thicken it up " (this is a gross oversimplification, medical people do not shoot me <G>). Its a very non-specific test. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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