Sweat Chloride Test for Cystic Fibrosis Information on MedicineNet.com

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Sweat Chloride Test (cont.)

What is the sweat chloride test?
What is the aim of the sweat chloride test
How is the sweat chloride test done?
How long does the test take?
What is done with the sweat?
What are normal sweat chloride levels?
What is the sweat chloride level in cystic fibrosis?
What if the sweat chloride is intermediate (between normal and the usual cystic fibrosis levels)?
Can a cystic fibrosis child have a normal sweat chloride level?
Can the sweat chloride be high without having cystic fibrosis?
Sweat Chloride Test Index

Can a cystic fibrosis child have a normal sweat chloride level?

In a severely malnourished patient with cystic fibrosis, the sweat chloride level may be normal. However, once the malnutrition is corrected, the test becomes positive.

Can the sweat chloride be high without having cystic fibrosis?

There are a few rare conditions which produce a false positive sweat chloride test. Such situations include diseases of the adrenal, thyroid, or pituitary glands; rare lipid storage diseases; and infection of the pancreas. Generally, however, these children are easily differentiated from patients with cystic fibrosis by their clinical condition, and molecular tests for cystic fibrosis can be done to clarify the diagnosis.

Last Editorial Review: 1/28/2009

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Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

Cystic Fibrosis - Read about cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease of the mucus and sweat glands. Symptoms include bulky, foul smelling stools, abdominal pain, gas, malnutrition, and respiratory failure.
Genetic Disease - Learn about genetic disease caused by abnormalities in an individual's genome. There are four types of genetic inheritance, single, multifactoral, chromosome abnormalities, and mitochondrial inheritance. Genetic testing is available for some genetic diseases.
Genetic Counseling - Read about genetic counceling, what it is, who should receive genetic counceling, and resources such as how to find a genetic councelor for a particular disease or condition.

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Sweat Chloride Test (cont.)

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Can a cystic fibrosis child have a normal sweat chloride level?

Can the sweat chloride be high without having cystic fibrosis?

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