A 60 year old female presents with symptoms of GCA. What should her normal ESR levels be?

Prepare for the NBEO Systemic Disease Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge. Each question includes hints and explanations. Enhance your understanding and readiness for the exam.

In individuals, particularly older adults, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is an important laboratory test that assesses the presence of inflammation in the body. In the context of a 60-year-old female presenting with symptoms suggestive of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), it is crucial to understand that while GCA can lead to elevated ESR levels, normal values can typically range based on age and sex.

For a woman of this age, normal ESR levels can vary but are often considered to be higher than in younger populations. An ESR of 35 mm/hr reflects an elevated inflammatory state that could be indicative of a condition like GCA. Thus, a reading around this level in a 60-year-old woman could be viewed as consistent with inflammatory processes, leading to the association of these numbers with GCA.

In this case, the correct choice aligns with the expected norms for a woman in this age group, particularly when presenting with potential inflammatory symptoms. An ESR of 35 mm/hr suggests ongoing inflammation, which would be pertinent in the evaluation for Giant Cell Arteritis.

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