How do you read a sweat chloride test?

To understand what the sweat test results mean, a chloride level of:

1. Less than or equal to 29 mmol/L = CF is unlikely regardless of age*.
2. Between 30 – 59 mmol/L = CF is possible and additional testing is needed.
3. Greater than or equal to 60 mmol/L = CF is likely.

What does an intermediate sweat test result mean?

A borderline sweat test result—when the chloride level is between 30 and 60—means your child may have a metabolic syndrome related to an abnormal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance (CFTR) gene.

What is positive sweat chloride test?

A positive sweat chloride test indicates that it is likely that the infant or person tested has cystic fibrosis (CF). Positive sweat chloride tests are typically repeated for verification. The results may also be confirmed by CF gene mutation panel testing.

How accurate is a sweat chloride test?

The sweat test is a reliable test for the diagnosis of CF in approximately 98% of patients with CF. However patients have been reported with characteristic clinical manifestations of CF yet normal or borderline sweat electrolyte values.

How do you rule out cystic fibrosis?

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. The test is painless and is the most reliable way to diagnose CF.

Can you have CF with a negative sweat test?

A negative sweat test does not rule out the possibility of Cystic Fibrosis. There are some mutations that may result in a normal sweat value but the person still has clinical signs and symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis.

How accurate is a sweat test for cystic fibrosis?

The sweat test is a reliable test for the diagnosis of CF in approximately 98% of patients with CF.

What does low sweat chloride test mean?

A chloride sweat test helps diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disorder that makes kids sick by disrupting the normal function of epithelial cells.

Can a sweat test for CF be wrong?

How accurate is the sweat test for cystic fibrosis?

What is mild cystic fibrosis?

Atypical CF is a milder form of the CF disorder, which is associated with mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor gene. Instead of having classic symptoms, individuals with atypical CF might only have mild dysfunction in 1 organ system and might or might not have elevated sweat chloride levels.