Diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis
Diagnosing Chronic Sinusitis
Symptoms alone are not always enough to diagnose chronic sinusitis in people with cystic fibrosis, so how do you know if you have it? Find out more about the tests your doctor might order to diagnose chronic sinusitis.
Questions About Genetic Testing for CF
Genetic testing for cystic fibrosis is becoming increasingly popular and widely available. If you are thinking about having yourself or your child tested, you'll want to ask yourself some questions first.
Sweat Chloride Test
The sweat chloride test, also known as the sweat test, is the most common test used to diagnose cystic fibrosis. Learn what happens during the sweat test, what the test looks for, normal and abnormal chloride ranges, and things that can alter the results of the sweat test.
Advanced Genetic Testing for Cystic Fibrosis
Basic genetic testing panels are sufficient for detecting cystic fibrosis in some patients, but sometimes advanced testing is needed to detect less common mutations. Learn more about reasons to have advanced testing, reasons not to have advanced testing, and about advanced testing options.
Genetic Testing for Cystic Fibrosis
Genetic testing for cystic fibrosis is done to determine if a person has, or is a carrier of, cystic fibrosis. The most widely available genetic test for CF is a blood test that looks for the most common mutations of the CFTR gene. Learn about the effectiveness and shortcomings of the basic cystic fibrosis genetic testing panel.
Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis
Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) is now common practice in most states and many countries. Learn more about the benefits of screening, the methods used, what the results mean, and what kind of follow up to expect after the results are in.
How and When Is Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosed?
Tests that can be done to find out if a person carries the cystic fibrosis gene, and tests to diagnose the presence of disease.
Late Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis
Most of the time, cystic fibrosis is diagnosed by the time a child is two years old. Occasionally, diagnosis is not made until adolescence or even adulthood. Read more about the incidence, prognosis, and treatment considerations of late CF diagnosis.
Couples who want to know their risk of having a baby with cystic fibrosis can get genetic testing to know if they are carriers. Once the test results are in, genetic counseling can help them make informed decisions. Learn more about genetic counseling from the A.D.A.M. Health Encyclopedia.
Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary function tests do not diagnose cystic fibrosis, but they are diagnostic tests done to determine how well the lungs are responding to treatment of CF. Learn more about pulmonary function tests from the A.D.A.M. Health Encyclopedia.