Periodontitis and elevated ESR

[Rhonda A]

Hello and thanks for taking my question. I have recently been told that I have periodontitis and have recently had a partial deep cleaning and will return to my dentist next week to complete the cleaning. My question is that with routine blood work from my primary doctor , lab results showed an elevated ESR of 60. That is 3 times the normal limit for my age. Could this be elevated due to the periodontitis? My dentist aid that I had infection and inflammation, especially in the lower front area with gum recession and bone loss. Thanks!

 

[MattKW]

Could be. It's a rough measure of inflammmation and can be caused by a number of problems:

• Advanced age
• Anaemia
• Pregnancy (let's hope not!)
  
• Kidney problems
• Thyroid disease
• Some cancers, such as multiple myeloma
• Infection (such as periodontal disease).

So your doctor will go through looking for other factors as listed above, and you get cracking on the periodontitis. Gives you a strong incentive.