What is VHS exam and what is it for?

The VHS test is a blood test widely used to detect any inflammation or infection in the body. It can range from a simple cold, bacterial infections, to inflammatory diseases such as arthritis or acute pancreatitis, for example.

This test measures the speed of separation between red blood cells and plasma, which is the liquid part of the blood, by the action of gravity. Thus, when there is an inflammatory process in the bloodstream, proteins are formed that decrease blood viscosity and accelerate erythrocyte sedimentation rate, resulting in high HSV, which is usually above 15 mm in man and 20 mm in woman .

In this way, HSV is a very sensitive examination because it can easily detect an inflammation, but it is not specific, that is, it is not able to indicate the type, location or severity of the inflammation or infection that occurs in the body. Therefore, the levels of HSV should be evaluated by the doctor, who will identify the cause according to the clinical evaluation and other tests, such as CRP, which also indicates inflammation or hemogram, for example.

What is it for

The VHS exam is used to identify or evaluate any type of inflammation or infection of the body. Your result can identify:

1. High HSV

The situations that usually increase HSV are viral or bacterial infections, such as influenza, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection or diarrhea, for example. However, it is widely used to assess and control the progression of some diseases that alter its outcome more significantly, such as:

• Rheumatic polymyalgia which is an inflammatory disease of the muscles;
• Temporal arteritis that is an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels;
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints;
• Vasculitis, which are inflammation of the wall of blood vessels;
• Osteomyelitis which is a bone infection;
• Tuberculosis which is an infectious disease;
• Cancer.

In addition, it is important to remember that any situation that changes the dilution or composition of the blood can alter the result of the examination. Some examples are pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, kidney failure, alcoholism, thyroid disorders or anemia.

2. Low VHS

Low VHS exam usually does not indicate changes. However, it is important to remember that there are situations that can keep HSV abnormally low, and confuse the detection of inflammation or infection. Some of these situations are:

• Polycythemia, which is the increase of blood cells;
• Severe leukocytosis, which is the increase of white blood cells;
• Use of corticosteroids;
• Hypofibrinogenia, which is a disorder of blood clotting;
• Hereditary spherocytosis is a type of anemia that passes from parents to children.

In this way, the doctor should always see the value of the VHS exam and analyze it according to the person's medical history, because not always its result is compatible with the health situation of the person evaluated. The doctor may also use newer, more specific tests, such as CRP, which usually indicate situations such as infection. Find out what the PCR test is and how it is done.

How is done

To perform the VHS exam, the laboratory will collect a blood sample, which is placed in an enclosed container, and then evaluate how long it takes for red blood cells to separate from the plasma and settle to the bottom of the container.

Thus, after 1 hour or 2 hours, this deposition will be measured in millimeters, so the result is given in mm / h. To perform the VHS exam, no preparation is necessary, and fasting is not mandatory.

Reference values

The reference values ​​of the VHS exam are different for the man, woman or child.

• In men :

  • in 1h - up to 15 mm;
  • in 2h - up to 20 mm.
• In women :
  • in 1h - up to 20 mm;
  • in 2h - up to 25 mm.
• In children:
  • values ​​between 3 - 13 mm.

Currently, the values ​​of the VHS exam in the first hour are the most important, so they are the most used.

When the inflammation becomes more intense, HSV can rise, and rheumatologic diseases and cancer can cause inflammation so severe that they can increase HSV above 100mm / h.