Sedimentation: What It Is, Low Levels, High Levels, and Treatment

Today, healthcare technologies are continuously advancing, making the diagnosis and treatment of diseases easier. Blood tests are a widely used method requested by doctors to diagnose different diseases. Sedimentation is a blood test commonly requested when there is suspicion of an infection in the body. Additionally, sedimentation values are important in diagnosing some diseases, including certain types of cancer, anemia (low red blood cell count), heart and vascular diseases, diabetes (high blood sugar), kidney disease, and thyroid disorders.

Sedimentation is a blood test that helps detect the presence of infection in the body. Poor hygiene, irregular eating habits, a weakened immune system, contact with individuals who have infectious diseases, and failure to get recommended vaccinations at the proper time can lead to infections in the body. Infections cause pain, swelling, redness, and an increase in temperature in the body. Liver enzyme levels may also increase or decrease. Individuals with infections may experience symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, and an increase in body temperature.

If you are wondering, "What is sedimentation?", "What should the sedimentation value be?", "How is low sedimentation treated?", "How is high sedimentation treated?", you can read on for the answers.

What is Sedimentation?

Sedimentation rate or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a blood test that can reveal inflammatory activity in the body. The sedimentation value is determined using a blood sample in a test tube. This test measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of the test tube. The higher the level of settlement in the test tube, the higher the inflammation in the body. The ESR test, also known as the sedimentation rate test or sed rate test, does not diagnose a specific condition but helps determine if there is inflammation in the body and which additional tests may be needed. The sedimentation value is also used to monitor the progression of some autoimmune diseases. Some of these diseases include:

• Arteritis: Inflammation of the arterial walls.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inflammation of the joints.
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Butterfly Disease): A rheumatic disease affecting multiple organs simultaneously.
• Cancer: A disease caused by uncontrolled cell division and proliferation

When is a Sedimentation Test Requested?

The sedimentation test is used to monitor the progression of existing autoimmune diseases. Additionally, your doctor may request the test based on certain symptoms. If you experience symptoms such as prolonged joint pain (lasting more than 30 minutes), changes in vision, pain in the temples, sudden weight loss, pain in the neck and pelvis, digestive problems, diarrhea, blood in stool, and abdominal pain, either alone or in combination, a sedimentation test may be requested by your doctor.

Certain medications (steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and statins) can affect the sedimentation value. It's important to inform your doctor about any medications you are taking before the test. In some cases, your doctor may ask for a follow-up after a period of discontinuing medication to check your blood values.

What Should the Sedimentation Value Be?

The sedimentation value varies based on age and gender. Additionally, factors such as medication use, pregnancy, fasting or eating status, anemia, menstruation in women, and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) can also affect the sedimentation value.

Women typically have higher sedimentation values than men. In women under 50, values between 0 and 20 mm per hour are considered normal, while in women over 50, values between 0 and 30 mm per hour are normal. For men under 50, values between 0 and 15 mm per hour are normal, and for men over 50, values between 0 and 20 mm per hour are normal. In children, the sedimentation value range differs from that of adults. Values between 0 and 10 mm per hour are considered normal for children.

The higher the sedimentation value, the greater the likelihood of inflammation in the body. Furthermore, sedimentation test results above 100 mm per hour may indicate cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

What is Low Sedimentation?

Sedimentation values indicate the level of inflammation in the body. A low sedimentation value (values close to 0 are considered abnormal) indicates that there is no inflammation in the body. However, the sedimentation value can also be low due to the use of medications (such as quinine, salicylates, or high doses of steroids) or the effects of certain diseases. Some conditions that may lower the sedimentation value include:

• Congestive heart failure
• Low plasma protein levels
• Leukocytosis (high white blood cell count)
• Polycythemia vera (a bone marrow disorder)
• Sickle cell anemia (a disease affecting red blood cells)

In cases where the low sedimentation value is caused by a disease, the primary goal is to treat the underlying disease.

What is High Sedimentation?

High sedimentation refers to when the sedimentation value exceeds the normal range for women, men, and children. Certain medications (such as dextran, theophylline, methyldopa, methiserjit, penicillamine, vitamin A, trifluoperidol, birth control pills) and some diseases can cause the sedimentation value to be higher than normal. Additionally, the sedimentation value increases as a result of infections in the body. Some conditions that can raise the sedimentation value include:

• Systemic and localized inflammatory and infectious diseases (local or widespread infections)
• Tissue injury or ischemia (lack of blood supply to tissue)
• Trauma
• Certain cancers, including some types of lymphoma and multiple myeloma
• Aging
• Pregnancy
• Anemia
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Blood and vascular diseases
• Vascular inflammation (vasculitis)
• Obesity
• Thyroid disease

Autoimmune Diseases that Increase Sedimentation

The sedimentation value can be elevated in autoimmune diseases such as lupus, certain types of arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), temporal arteritis (inflammation or damage of the temporal artery), polymyalgia rheumatica (causing muscle and joint pain), hyperfibrinogenemia (excessive fibrinogen in the blood), and allergic or necrotizing vasculitis.

Effect of Infection on Sedimentation Value

Certain infections, including bone infections, myocarditis (affecting the heart muscle), pericarditis (affecting the tissue surrounding the heart), endocarditis (which can affect the heart valves), rheumatic fever, skin infections, systemic infections, and tuberculosis (TB), can cause the sedimentation value to be higher than normal.

How is High Sedimentation Treated?

The first step in treating high sedimentation is to identify the underlying cause. The next step is to treat the disease that is causing the elevated value.

High sedimentation is often a result of an infection in the body. Preventing infection and treating existing infections are very effective in reducing the sedimentation value. Paying attention to personal hygiene, maintaining a healthy diet to keep the immune system strong, avoiding close contact with people who have infectious diseases, and getting recommended vaccinations during necessary periods can help protect the body against infections, thereby preventing an increase in sedimentation values.

While high sedimentation can result from infections, it can also occur in the presence of serious diseases, such as cancer. Regular hospital check-ups and tests prescribed by your doctor are important for preventing diseases and ensuring early treatment for existing conditions.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of high sedimentation or suspect you may have a condition that could cause high sedimentation, you should visit a healthcare facility to be examined by a specialist. By following your doctor’s recommendations for tests, you can prevent disease development or ensure early diagnosis and treatment for existing conditions to maintain your health.