Q: I have a cyst in the brain since 5 years. I took Zaptol CR 400 for three years. In between my ESR had risen and I reduced weight. I had gone for a check-up i.e. X-ray, ultrasound, blood tests, bone marrow etc. and my ESR was 100 at that time. I have a patch in my chest i.e. tuberculosis. I had taken medicine for one year and then all medicines were stopped for the cyst and tuberculosis. the doctor advised me to get a check up done every six months i.e. chest X-ray and blood haemogram. I underwent the same last month and my report is as follows: Hb 10.2, ESR 100 and TLC- 2800. I am regularly taking calcium, Fessovit and Limcee. Please advise me what should I do to reduce my ESR?

A:ESR is a very non-specific test and can rise in a huge number of conditions and diseases, some of them as simple as infection, musculo-skeletal disorders, obesity, smoking, anaemia and use of certain drugs (such as oral contraceptives). Of course tuberculosis also causes ESR to rise, so does the cyst in the brain. Your total white cell count is also a little on the lower side. I suggest you get C-Reactive Protein (CRP) test done which is more specific.