Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Elevated ESR Levels, Back And Right Thigh Pain?
Question: Hi, I was just told that I have a sedimentation rate of 34 and need to be referred to a rheumatologist. My MD is out. I am very nervous about this. I am almost 50 and have a lot of pain throughout my back and right thigh. This has been occuring for months. Can you provide any assistance?
Brief Answer:
rheumatologist to rule out autoimmune diseases-lupus, RA, scleroderma etc
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Sedimentation rate or ESR, as it is also called, is a non specific inflammatory marker.
The lab range can vary slightly from one lab to the next but in general the upper limit is 20 for women under 50 and less than 30 for women 50 yrs or older.
At age 50, your upper limit is 30 , which means that your value of 34 is only slightly above the limit.
Because sedimentation rate is a non specific inflammatory marker,this means that the levels increase with any inflammation in the body. The inflammation can be due to: (1) autoimmune disease (Eg lupus, rheumatoid, scleroderma, vasculitis etc)
(2) infection
(3)severe trauma
(4)cancers
Because of the joint and muscle pain that you are having, a rhematologist would have been suggested since there is a slight increase in sedimentation rate/ ESR.
They deal with the autoimmune conditions mentioned above.
The chance of these conditions is not high however, or if present, they may not be severe because they would normally cause the sedimentation rate/ESR to be a lot higher though this is not the case for everyone.
The rheumatologist would be able to determine if they are present, however, with additional blood testing.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
rheumatologist to rule out autoimmune diseases-lupus, RA, scleroderma etc
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Sedimentation rate or ESR, as it is also called, is a non specific inflammatory marker.
The lab range can vary slightly from one lab to the next but in general the upper limit is 20 for women under 50 and less than 30 for women 50 yrs or older.
At age 50, your upper limit is 30 , which means that your value of 34 is only slightly above the limit.
Because sedimentation rate is a non specific inflammatory marker,this means that the levels increase with any inflammation in the body. The inflammation can be due to: (1) autoimmune disease (Eg lupus, rheumatoid, scleroderma, vasculitis etc)
(2) infection
(3)severe trauma
(4)cancers
Because of the joint and muscle pain that you are having, a rhematologist would have been suggested since there is a slight increase in sedimentation rate/ ESR.
They deal with the autoimmune conditions mentioned above.
The chance of these conditions is not high however, or if present, they may not be severe because they would normally cause the sedimentation rate/ESR to be a lot higher though this is not the case for everyone.
The rheumatologist would be able to determine if they are present, however, with additional blood testing.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for clarifying. I appreciate it. What is the chance of this being cancer? Is there any chance at all to answer that? Would I have been referred elsewhere other than a rheumatologist? They prescribed prednisone in the interim. Is that normal? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
chance is very slim
Detailed Answer:
HI
The chance of cancer is very slim because this would cause the level to the higher normally. Cancer is a significant inflammation and this is normally shown up with a high sedimentation rate.
Prednisone is given in different conditions including autoimmune diseases, they would not have suggested this if cancer was suspected.
Cancer would be assessed by an oncologist or hematologist (for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma)
Please feel free to ask anything else
chance is very slim
Detailed Answer:
HI
The chance of cancer is very slim because this would cause the level to the higher normally. Cancer is a significant inflammation and this is normally shown up with a high sedimentation rate.
Prednisone is given in different conditions including autoimmune diseases, they would not have suggested this if cancer was suspected.
Cancer would be assessed by an oncologist or hematologist (for blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma)
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
