There is no test to
diagnose Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). No change in the human
body can be detected except for a few small changes in functioning
of brain that can only be known through very specialized and
expensive brain scans. CFS is a disease of exclusion, which
means ruling out all other conditions and illnesses that may
cause symptoms of CFS. The possible differential diagnoses include:
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Malignancy
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Liver Disease
- Renal Disease
Laboratory Studies:
-
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR):
A consistent extremely low ESR (typically 0-3 mm/h) indicates
CFS in a patient.
-
Thyroid, Adrenal and liver function
tests: These tests help in excluding disorders
that may consist of a fatigue component.
-
White Blood Cells (WBC) Count:
The WBC count in CFS patients is normal. An abnormal WBC
count indicates a diagnosis other than CFS.
-
Serum Protein Electrophoresis
is normal in people suffering from CFS and can be used to
rule out other diseases that cause fatigue such as lymphoma
and myeloma.
Imaging Studies: None of the imaging studies such
as Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan of brain and Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) of brain show normal results for patients suffering
from CFS (7).
|
|
|
