Question: My ESR test was 100. Can you tell me what that means, Said it should not be more than 20
Answer: ESR is the abbreviation for ” erythrocyte sedimentation rate”, a lab test used for knowing if the inflammation exist or not, and if already exist the ESR results tell us how much is the inflammation and if the treatment plan is working or not?
The normal level of ESR test is 0 to 20 after an hour, and normal ESR means no inflammation inside body or the inflammation isn’t cause any effect on the Erythrocytes sedimentation.
If the ESR is greater than 100, it is a very high ESR level and indicates chronic or prolonged inflammation episode.
Question: After visiting my doctor last Monday, he told me nothing to worry about, while he prescribed lab tests. I found many symbols in the doctors request, what is a 6ac blood test and what is meant by 5ac blood test at labcorp, also there’re other signs which I can’t understand cbc/d/plt+rpr+rh+abo+rub ab, please explain?
Answer: laboratories uses such abbreviations to write down the names of lab tests, this way the lab test names will be easier and practical, however they look like horrible codes for ordinary people, but don’t be panic, I will simplify.
CMP Blood Test is a short code for (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel), also may be written “chem 14” which is a list consists of:
1 Glucose, for diabetes investigation
6 From the liver function tests (Bilirubin and 2 proteins, the albumin and total protein and 3 liver Enzymes Alkaline phosphatase; Alanine aminotransferase; Aspartate aminotransferase)
CBC is a short form for “Complete Blood Count” which consists of white blood cells count, platelets, red blood cells and hemoglobin”, a test used to monitor blood cells count and investigation of anemia and blood cancers. Thus, the “d’ in “cbc/d/plt” refers to “differential count”, in other words it’s the count of each type of white blood cells, this differential count of WBC useful to know which type of them are abnormal, for example neutrophils WBC are those fighting bacteria, and lymphocytes are those white blood cells that fighting viruses. Also, “plt” is a short form for “platelets” a type of blood component that specializes in sealing wounds.
“8AC” stands for “8 additional chemistries”, their names depend on the clients agreement with the reference lab, and the same the letters “6AC” is for 6 additional chemistries, and of course “2AC” stands for 2 additional chemistries, “chemistries” are the collective name for lab tests used for measuring blood chemicals such as phosphorus, Sodium, calcium, etc.Understand lab codes lists, Lab signs and flags
“ABO” stands for the blood typing system that consists of “A”, “B”, “O”
“Rh” stands for “Rhesus factor”, an antigen on the surface of red blood cells and used with the ABO system to express if the blood of an individual is “positive” or “negative”. For example (O+) and (AB-)
Full Question sent by a subscriber on my YouTube channel: Thank you so much for prompt response. And what about Total 8.4 and Free 2.3 on established prostate cancer. PSA total was 4 less than a month ago, free wasn’t tested then. This individual has already been diagnosed with prostate cancer 5years ago … However, PSA hasn’t been this high since diagnosis, patient is currently taking xcendre (sp).
He doesn’t complain of anything except being a bit tired, which we were told could be caused by the medications he’s taking. The sudden raise from 4 just less than a month ago to 8.4 yesterday, startled us a bit.
CT scan recommended after bone scan showed all is normal. Any thing you could think of that might have caused the sudden spike? one thing I forgot to mention is that he received radiation therapy about 3 months ago. Would that make PSA spike even after 3 months post radiation?
Answer: A rare but can happen, “PSA Spike” or “PSA bounce” is a sudden rise in PSA level that occurs after the radiation session (external beam radiation and brachytherapy), and it may last for a few months or few years throughout the irradiation period, and then return to a lower PSA level again after a while or go back to the normal PSA limits.
When You Should Worry? If the temporarily rise in PSA level after radiation is very high not just a slight increasement which may be a cancer is returning or progress.
Question: And what about Total 8.4 and Free 2.3 on established prostate cancer. PSA total was 4 less than a month ago, free wasn’t tested then.
Answer: The Free PSA according to your numbers is about 27% which carries a little risk of cancer, but must confirmed with other DRE with symptoms and MRI. As you wrote, PSA 4.0 is a borderline which means you must retest within few months to make sure it will not increase.
About 15% of men with normal PSA (less than 4.0) can have prostate cancer. Free PSA% can only filter some cases to minimize the waiting list for surgical biopsies. And therefore, PSA test is only one tool to judge on the prostate enlargement and not the only one.
The secret key for correctly using PSA in diagnosis of prostate cancer is the follow-up to know if the PSA level increasing or not.
