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The sweat test is considered the most reliable for diagnosing cystic fibrosis. Sweat tests should be done at a CF Foundation-accredited care center, where guidelines are used to help ensure accurate results.
What is the sweat test for cystic fibrosis? Doctors diagnose CF by a thorough evaluation and with different tests, including genetic tests, chest and sinus X-rays, and lung function tests. The most conclusive testing for CF is the sweat test, which measures the amount of chloride in the body’s sweat.
A sweat test can diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF) in people of all ages: Babies in the United States have newborn screening tests to check for a variety of conditions, including CF. If a screening test shows that your baby may have CF, a sweat test will be needed to make a diagnosis.
A well-performed and well-interpreted sweat test is the gold standard for accurately diagnosing cystic fibrosis. These guidelines were developed by consensus based on expert opinion and a review of the medical literature.
Learn about the diagnostic sweat test, which measures the amount of chloride in sweat. Higher than normal amounts of chloride may suggest cystic fibrosis.
A sweat test measures the amount of chloride, a part of salt, in Sweat . It is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF). People with CF have a high level of chloride in their sweat.
The sweat test is used to help make, or rule out, a diagnosis of CF where there is a family history or a possibility of CF. Screening for CF has been part of the national newborn blood spot screening programme (also known as the heel prick test) since 2007.
There are two sweat test methods approved by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Both methods stimulate sweating on the forearm or thigh using a chemical called pilocarpine. Sweat is then collected on filter paper or gauze (Gibson-Cooke method) or in microbore tubing (Macroduct® collection system).
An elevated level of chloride (over 60 mmol/L) in the sweat is diagnostic for cystic fibrosis, sweat chloride levels in less than 29mmol/L is normal. A level between 30 to 60 mmol/L is considered borderline, and repeat sweat test or further testing is required.
If you show symptoms of cystic fibrosis or your baby has a positive newborn screen for CF, a sweat test at a CF Foundation-accredited care center can help provide a CF diagnosis by measuring the concentration of salt in your or your baby's sweat.