Sweat test; Sweat chloride; Iontophoretic sweat test

• 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.

An abnormal test may indicate the presence of cystic fibrosis.

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Sweat Test

Sweat test

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Review Date: 05/27/2009
Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)