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Sweat Test

Test Overview

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A sweat test, also called a sweat chloride test, measures the amount of chloride in sweat. It is done to help diagnose cystic fibrosis, Opens dialog. Normally, sweat on the skin surface contains very little chloride. People with cystic fibrosis have a high level of chloride in their sweat.

During the sweat test, Opens dialog, medicine that causes a person to sweat is applied to the skin (usually on the arm or thigh). The sweat is then collected and the amount of chloride in the sweat is measured in a lab.

A sweat test can be done at any age. It may be done as soon as your baby is 10 days old, but it is often done when a baby is 2 to 4 weeks of age. Your child may need more than one sweat test to confirm a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.

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Why It Is Done

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.