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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Had Persistently High ESR Readings Stating High Body Inflammation. Suffering From Scarring Alopecia, Nystagmus Oscillopsia. Can ESR And Other Diseases Be Related?

I have had persistently high ESR readings, the last one being 61, I am a 51 year old female. I also have an iron count of 9. I understand that the ESR shows that my body has a high inflammation reading, but does not say specifically what has caused it. I am frustrated with my GP, this reading as well as low absorption of iron has been going on for over a year. I want to be referred to a physician who is willing to get to the bottom of it. I have other underlying conditions, Scarring Alopecia , nystagmus oscilopsia. My consultant dermatologist has confirmed that the inflammation has no connection with the scarring alopecia.
Thu, 5 Jul 2012
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Welcome to HealthcareMagic forum

First let me begin by saying yes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non specific marker of inflammation. A specific possibility / cause cannot be confirmed without further investigations.

Second an ESR value of less than 100 usually suggests benign problems which sometimes are not considered significant at all. So I would not expect a major serious inflammation which is causing this persistently high ESR value to be happening within you.

Third iron deficiency is associated with anemia. And anemia can also cause high ESR.

So based on the details provided, your mild rise in ESR is most likely associated with iron deficiency anemia. You may confirm this by checking your hemoglobin levels.
If iron deficiency is persistently low, that is concerning and you need to be evaluated for that. A competent hematologist can help you in this case. You would need stool test to rule out microscopic blood loss begin with. Other test can follow the stool report.

I hope you have been started on iron supplements. Talk with your hematologist to take this case forward.

Hope this answers your query.

Regards
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Had Persistently High ESR Readings Stating High Body Inflammation. Suffering From Scarring Alopecia, Nystagmus Oscillopsia. Can ESR And Other Diseases Be Related?

Hi, Welcome to HealthcareMagic forum First let me begin by saying yes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a non specific marker of inflammation. A specific possibility / cause cannot be confirmed without further investigations. Second an ESR value of less than 100 usually suggests benign problems which sometimes are not considered significant at all. So I would not expect a major serious inflammation which is causing this persistently high ESR value to be happening within you. Third iron deficiency is associated with anemia. And anemia can also cause high ESR. So based on the details provided, your mild rise in ESR is most likely associated with iron deficiency anemia. You may confirm this by checking your hemoglobin levels. If iron deficiency is persistently low, that is concerning and you need to be evaluated for that. A competent hematologist can help you in this case. You would need stool test to rule out microscopic blood loss begin with. Other test can follow the stool report. I hope you have been started on iron supplements. Talk with your hematologist to take this case forward. Hope this answers your query. Regards