ESI blood test - raised?

halloweenqueen_2

Had a few blood tests at dr's ,. ones for arthritis aren't back yet but have to repeat other one as ESI test came back raised - did ask what this meant but still didn't get it - I think it was 19??
Can anyone explain this, I know they did the usual thyroid, liver etc but as to anything else I'm not sure. thanks!

Ted_Hutchinson

As the test was being done for Arthritis and that is an inflamatory condition I suspect you had an ESR test. You will find details of an ESR test Lab Tests Online which I found from an NHSDIRECT link.
Edit: Unfortunately I haven't found the normal score rate on that site but from Erythrocyte sedimentation rate [font=Arial, Sans]
Normal results [/font]A normal value does not rule out disease. Normal values for the Westergren method are: Men 0 mm/hour–15 mm/hour; women 0 mm/hour–20 mm/hour; and children 0 mm/hour–10 mm/hour.
So it looks like your score is on the upper end of the normal female range, on it's own that's probably not significant but with other tests results and when repeated it will give your doctor an indication of whether the condition is being controlled or not.
ARC arthritis blood tests leaflet

halloweenqueen_2

Thanks for you help and info - but the one for arthritis wasn't back yet so I know it wasn't connected to that one, thats about all I did know!!!

Ted_Hutchinson

As you know this site isn't for medical advice but for moneysaving health related issues. When questions are raised which would be best answered by a health professional I therefore suggest reputable websites approved by NHSdirect as a source of further information.
If you click the blue writing this will link you to those websites. The first link for example tells you the ESR test is To detect and monitor the activity of [url="javascript: optionsdisplay('../../../glossary/inflammation.html')"]inflammation [/url]as an aid in the diagnosis of the underlying cause
So you see this isn't a test that actually shows if you have arthritis, it simply gives an indication of your inflammation status. As your doctor has indicated your test showed it was raised so it's likely you will need some anti-inflammatories to reduce that level. So the ESR test isn't a test for arthritis but is done to find out the level of inflammation which may be a result of arthritis or something else.
However knowing you have a raised level of inflammatory response does enable you to modify your diet to include more Omega3's which are proven anti-inflammatory agents and decrease the amount of omega6 fats.
[size=+1]Diet, nutrition and rheumatoid arthritis[/size] will give some clues to appropriate supplements should the possible arthritis diagnosis be confirmed.