Friday factoid

The Sweat Test
Overview
The sweat test has been the “gold standard” for diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) for more than 50 years. It is recommended that the sweat test be performed at a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited care center where strict guidelines are followed and monitored by the center director to make sure the results are accurate. The sweat test can be done on people of any age. However, some infants may not make enough sweat to do the test. If an infant does not produce enough sweat the first time, the test should be repeated.  

What happens during a sweat test?
The sweat test measures the amount of chloride in the sweat. There are no needles involved in this test. The test takes about an hour, but it may take longer.  

What is a positive result?
For infants up to and including 6 months of age, a chloride level of:
Equal to or less than 29 mmol/L = CF is very unlikely
30 - 59 mmol/L = intermediate means that CF is possible
Greater than or equal to 60 mmol/L =

CF is likely to be diagnosed For people older than 6 months of age, a chloride level of:
Equal to or less than 39 mmol/L = CF is very unlikely
40 - 59 mmol/L = intermediate means that CF is possible
Greater than or equal to 60 mmol/L = CF is likely to be diagnosed

Sarah was 32 on one arm/not enough sweat on the other arm for her first test and she was 32/29 on her second test. It was decided then to do further testing and it was her blood work that came back positive.