What is the purpose of this test?
The Fibromyalgia Blood Test Panel helps doctors find out if you might have fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain, tiredness, and trouble sleeping. This panel includes tests that check for markers in your blood that might suggest fibromyalgia or rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
By using this test, doctors can get a clearer idea of what might be causing your symptoms and make sure you're getting the right treatment. It helps in figuring out if fibromyalgia is the cause of your pain and discomfort, so you can start feeling better and manage your condition effectively.
The Fibromyalgia Blood Test Panel includes:
Complete Blood Count (CBC) - A Complete Blood Count (CBC) test measures different parts of your blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, like infections or anemia, by showing overall blood health and identifying abnormalities that might contribute to pain and fatigue. The CBC test includes:
- White Blood Cells (WBC) - The body's primary defense against disease and helps to fight infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) - Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide away from all cells. Iron deficiency will lower the RBC count.
- Hemoglobin - A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to all body cells. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
- Hematocrit - Measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.
- Neutrophils: Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells and are created by the bone marrow to combat a wide range of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Lymphocytes - B-cells and T-cells are lymphocytes that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the blood. They are primarily found in the lymph system.
- Monocytes - Working alongside neutrophils, monocytes play a vital role in fighting infections and other diseases and clearing away dead or damaged cells.
- Eosinophils - White blood cells called eosinophils become activated in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils - Basophils play a role in detecting infections early on, as well as aiding in wound healing and reacting to allergic responses.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) - The average hemoglobin concentration within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - The average hemoglobin concentration percentage within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - The average size of red blood cells.
- Platelets - Blood cell particles associated with the forming of blood clots.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) - Measures the amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size.
- Absolute Neutrophils - The absolute neutrophil count measures the number of neutrophils in your blood. Normal range is 2,500-7,000 per microliter. Counts outside this range indicate a possible condition.
- Absolute Lymphocytes - To calculate your absolute lymphocyte count, multiply your white blood cell count by the percentage of lymphocytes. This gives you the number of lymphocytes as an absolute number.
- Absolute Monocytes - The absolute monocyte count indicates the number of monocytes in the blood, helping to identify if the count is normal, high, or low.
- Absolute Eosinophils - Absolute eosinophil count measures the number of eosinophils in blood by multiplying the percentage of eosinophils in a complete blood count with the total number of white blood cells in the same count.
- Absolute Basophils - Absolute basophil count is calculated by multiplying the percentage of basophils by the total number of white blood cells in a blood sample.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) - A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) test checks various chemicals and enzymes in your blood to assess overall health. It helps screen for fibromyalgia by identifying issues with organs like the liver and kidneys, which can cause symptoms similar to fibromyalgia, such as fatigue or pain. This test helps rule out other conditions that might mimic fibromyalgia symptoms. The CMP-14 test includes:
- Glucose - Blood sugar level, the most direct test to screen for diabetes and also used in diabetes management.
- Kidney Profile
- Bun or Urea Nitrogen (BUN) - An indicator of kidney function.
- Creatinine, Serum - An indicator of kidney function.
- Bun/Creatinine Ratio - Calculated by dividing BUN by creatinine. This ratio can suggest conditions including dehydration or intestinal bleeding.
- Liver Panel
- Protein, Total - Assists in determining liver and kidney function and nutritional health.
- Albumin Serum - One of the major proteins essential for the healthy function of the liver and kidney.
- Globulin, Total - One of the major proteins that assist the blood to clot properly and also comprises infection-fighting antibodies.
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio - Calculated by dividing albumin by globulin. When paired with other test results, this ratio can assist in diagnosing various liver problems.
- Bilirubin, Total - Aids in detecting hepatitis, sickle cell, anemia, cirrhosis, alcohol, and drug abuse. High concentrations may result in jaundice.
- Alkaline Phosphatase - A protein vital in detecting bone disorders and liver disease.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) - An enzyme helpful in evaluating liver function. An elevated level is an indication of hepatitis.
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) - An enzyme helpful in identifying liver damage. Abnormalities may represent liver disease.
- Fluids & Electrolytes
- Sodium - One of the major salts in body fluid. Sodium is important in water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
- Potassium - Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
- Chloride - Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
- Carbon Dioxide, Total - Used to help detect, evaluate, and monitor electrolyte imbalances.
- Calcium - A mineral essential for developing and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. It is also important for the normal function of muscles, nerves, and blood clotting.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk - A C-Reactive Protein (CRP) High Sensitivity Cardiac Risk test measures the level of CRP, a protein that increases with inflammation. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, high CRP levels can indicate inflammation in the body, which might be related to fibromyalgia symptoms like pain and fatigue, helping doctors rule out other inflammatory conditions.
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA Blood Test) Direct - An Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test Direct checks for antibodies that attack the body’s own cells. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps identify autoimmune diseases with similar symptoms, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, by ruling out other conditions that might be causing pain and fatigue.
Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Westergren - A Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Westergren test measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a tube. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, a high ESR can indicate inflammation, which might be linked to fibromyalgia or other conditions with similar symptoms, helping doctors rule out or consider alternative diagnoses.
Creatine Kinase - A Creatine Kinase (CK) test measures the level of an enzyme called creatine kinase in your blood. Elevated CK levels can indicate muscle damage or inflammation. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps rule out other conditions that cause muscle pain and weakness, which are symptoms similar to those of fibromyalgia.
Iron & TIBC - An Iron & TIBC test measures the amount of iron in your blood and how well it is being carried. Although it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia, this test helps rule out anemia or iron-related issues that can cause fatigue and weakness, which are symptoms often associated with fibromyalgia.
Ferritin - A Ferritin test measures the level of ferritin, a protein that stores iron in your body. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps rule out iron deficiency anemia, which can cause symptoms like fatigue and weakness that are also common in fibromyalgia.
Magnesium - A Magnesium test measures the amount of magnesium in your blood. Although it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia, it helps rule out magnesium deficiency, which can cause symptoms like muscle pain and cramping similar to those experienced in fibromyalgia.
Vitamin B12 - A Vitamin B12 test measures the amount of vitamin B12 in your blood. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia, it helps rule out vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause symptoms like fatigue and muscle weakness similar to those seen in fibromyalgia.
Vitamin D - A Vitamin D test measures the level of vitamin D in your blood. Although it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps rule out vitamin D deficiency, which can cause symptoms like muscle pain and fatigue that are similar to those experienced in fibromyalgia.
Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) Blood Test - A TSH test measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood, which helps assess how well your thyroid is working. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps rule out thyroid problems, like hypothyroidism, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue and muscle pain that are also common in fibromyalgia.
Urinalysis Complete - A Urinalysis Complete test checks various components of your urine, such as color, clarity, and the presence of substances like proteins or blood. While it doesn’t diagnose fibromyalgia directly, it helps rule out other conditions that could cause symptoms similar to fibromyalgia, such as kidney problems or infections.
Benefits of the Fibromyalgia Blood Test Panel:
- Helps Diagnose Fibromyalgia: Assists in identifying fibromyalgia by checking specific blood markers.
- Rules Out Other Conditions: Helps differentiate fibromyalgia from other conditions with similar symptoms, such as autoimmune diseases or thyroid disorders.
- Guides Treatment: Provides information that can help doctors choose the most effective treatment for managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Monitors Progress: Allows for tracking changes in blood markers over time to see how well treatment is working.
- Identifies Related Issues: Detects potential deficiencies or imbalances, like vitamin or mineral deficiencies, that can contribute to symptoms.
