Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis
Diagnosis can be achieved by a sweat test, an enzyme test or a simple DNA test
Find out if you are at risk - get tested
| Test Type | Testing Time | Fee |
All orders received before 3pm PST / 6pm EST are shipped out the same business day. All orders received after 3pm PST / 6pm EST or on weekends or holidays are shipped out the following business day. 24/7 online status check and account management available for all tests.
People affected by cystic fibrosis usually have an increased amount of salt in their sweat so diagnosis can be made by a sweat test. Alternatively, a test for the presence of specific enzymes in the intestine can be performed and testing for cystic fibrosis is routinely taken in newborn babies by checking for elevated levels of immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) in a blood sample. Genetic testing to identify mutations in the CFTR gene is also commonly used.
DNA testing
More than 1900 mutations have been identified in the CFTR gene. Over 500 of these mutations are known to cause cystic fibrosis. The severity of cystic fibrosis symptoms vary depending on the type of the mutation in the CFTR gene.
DeltaF508 is the most common mutation in cystic fibrosis cases across all ethnicities, but other mutations vary between different populations. The American College of Medical Genetics recommends screening for 23 mutations in the CFTR gene. The cystic fibrosis DNA test offered here tests for these 23 mutations, along with 16 other mutations. Nine mutations in the panel offered from this laboratory cause approximately 99% of all cases of cystic fibrosis in Ashkenazi Jewish individuals.
Prenatal testing (during pregnancy) and carrier testing (of both parents) is available and is recommended for those at an increased risk due to ethnicity, symptoms or a family history.