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Sweat electrolytes test - Results

Alternative Names

Sweat test; Sweat chloride; Iontophoretic sweat test

Normal Values:

A sweat chloride test result less than or equal to 39 mEq/L in an infant over 6 months old probably means cystic fibrosis is not present.
A result between 40 - 59 mEq/L does not give a clear diagnosis. Further testing is needed.
If the result is 60 mEq/L or greater, cystic fibrosis is present.

Note: mEq/L = milliequivalent per liter

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

An abnormal test may indicate the presence of cystic fibrosis.

Sweat Test

Sweat test

Reviewed last on: 2/5/2009
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Boat TF, Acton JD. Cystic fibrosis. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 400.

Farrell PM, Rosenstein BJ, White TB, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in newborns through older adults: Cystic fibrosis consensus report. Journal of Pediatrics. Aug 2008;153(2).

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