What Causes Elevated ESR Levels?

Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2015

Question: Hello Doctor - My ESR is very high 141,but my CBC is normal ...and when I was giving a ultrasound for abdominal..i over heard some thing called G1 liver...I had light stomach ache from last 2 weeks.After I eat I get stools immediately and I also get some ache as soon as I eat

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stomach bug likely cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

ESR is an acute phase reactant which means it is raised when there is any infection or inflammation anywhere in the body.
Also when the hemoglobin level is low the ESR is raised.
Your ESR is very high. Your CBC is normal which means you are not anemic and a low hemoglobin is not the cause of raised ESR.

Since you have bowel symptoms, I feel a probable stomach bug is responsible for the raised ESR.

I need to have the complete report of the ultrasound scan before I can comment on the lesion in the liver.

I hope that answers your question.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (11 minutes later)

Hello Doctor ....Ultra sound report says G1 fatty liver and ny RBC count is high 10,600 am I at risk of any major infection...when I trie to do research it says ESR is a Healy condition like HIv ,tb ,cancer etc

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need clarification.

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Kindly clarify whether RBC is 10600 or Total WBC count? Please uplaod the reports so that I am better able to help. You can also send them at YYYY@YYYY and address it to my name: Dr Ratnakar Kini.

As I told you any infection can raise ESR.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (4 hours later)

Hello Doctor - Its the total WBC count .I am attaching the reports .

Sents to YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I could not see any reports.
As I told you any infection can increase the ESR.
Infection also increase the total WBC count.

You have high ESR and raised Total WBC count which together indicate a probable infection.
You can get a peripheral blood smear done to rule out blood disorders. But I would say this is unlikely as your CBC is essentially normal.

I would still keep stomach bug as the possible cause till I see the peripheral blood smear test report.

I hope that answers your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (24 minutes later)

Hello Doctor - I have sent the reports again.Please review I have given even the semear report it says a normal study.

Is there a way to find out what infection I have ..I am.worried if if it is a major one

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry as the smear report is also normal

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since the smear report is also normal, blood disorders causing high ESR and raised total WBC count is also less likely.

There is no need to worry about the infection as you are recovering from it.
You can repeat the CBC and ESR after 4 weeks.

I hope that answers your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar