Diagnostic Tests

In your adventure with ME/CFS, you are likely to see multiple doctors with a varying set of tests. Some are to exclude others illnesses that have similar symptoms to ME/CFS. Other tests are to detect deficiencies that inhibit recovery.

TESTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUSPECTED ME/CFS US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition

Version 1

February 20, 2021

People with ME/CFS may present with a range of symptoms that include a decreased level of functioning, debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairment, orthostatic intolerance, flu-like symptoms, a worsening of their symptoms following exertion, pain, and other symptoms. Patients often report symptoms started with a viral infection. Recently, some COVID-19 patients are reporting extended illness with symptoms similar to ME/CFS.

Click on title for link.

Our very own list of recommended tests.

Thanks to our June 9th, 2015 presenter for this list.

Disclaimer: By no means, consider this the authoritative list of tests.

Blood Tests

• • ACTH

    • Often produced in response to biological stress. ACTH is also related to the circadian rhythm in many organisms. See endocrinologist if low.

  • Antibody Tests

    • • ANA ( Anti-nuclear antibody )

      • Cardiolipin Antibodies

        • • IgG

          • IgM

          • IgA

    • Platelet antibody

    • Adrenal antibody

  • Babesiosis

    • Is a tickborne disease.

• Bartonella

• Blood volume

  • Candida

    • Is a fungus. Makes holes in gut. When mucosal barriers are disrupted or the immune system is compromised they can invade and cause disease.

      • IgG

      • IgA -- mucus

      • IgM

  • Cardiac CRP

    • "CRP is a 'marker' for inflammation, meaning its presence indicates an increased state of inflammation in the body."

  • Coxsackie B "1-6"

  • Chlamydia pneumonia

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) also known as Human Herpesvirus 4.

    • Multiple tests over time to check for chronic activity. [Lab Corp]

  • ESR Sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

  • H. Pylori ( Helicobacter pylori )

• heavy metals

  • Hepatitis A, B, and C

  • Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1and HSV-2)

  • Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6A, HHV-6B)

  • IGG Subclasses

    • If you have immune deficiency

  • IGF-1 ( Insulin-like growth factor 1)

    • Is a Growth Hormone. IGF-1 is a hormone similar in molecular structure to insulin. It plays an important role in childhood growth and continues to have anabolic effects in adults.

  • Iron related tests

    • Ferritin

      • Iron

      • T-IBC ( Total Iron Binding Capacity )

  • Lyme disease

  • Methylmalonic acid (MMA)

    • Is a better test for Vitamin B₁₂ . The coenzyme is a linked form of methylmalonic acid, methylmalonyl-CoA, is converted into succinyl-CoA by methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, in a reaction that requires vitamin B12 as a cofactor.

  • MTHFR

    • This Gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NAD(P)H)

  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae

    • Ig-M -- Is only at the beginning of the infection.

    • Ig-G -- Comes later

  • NK cell activity.

    • Needs to be a functional assay not a count. Test needs to be done immediately. Ensure testing facility knows they need to do test quickly. Have driver on hand [Quest].

  • Oxidative Stress Analysis 2.0 { Genova }

• Parvovirus B19

  • Rheumatoid factor ( RF )

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae Antibodies, IgG (14 Serotypes)

• Thyroid panel

  • Toxoplasma gondii causes Toxoplasmosis.

    • Passed by cats.

  • Tuberculosis (TB)

• Vitamin B₁₂

  • Vitamin D₃

    • 25-hydroxy

    • 1,25-dihydroxy (Calcitriol)

Stool

• • Comprehensive stool analysis

    • Looks for parasites.

Urine Tests

• • 24 hour

    • Aldosterone { Lab Corp }

    • Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) also vasopressin

      • Its two primary functions are to retain water in the body and to constrict blood vessels. ME/CFS is very low [ ??? In me/cfs is it very low. Is this correct ??? ]

    • Catecholamines

      • • Sympathetic nervous system

      • Norepinephrine

    • Cortisol { Lab Corp }

  • Candida

  • Organix® Comprehensive Profile { Genova Diagnostics }

This is somewhat analogous to a fight with ME/CFS. You know you have work ahead, but do not see the path ahead. You feel others are expecting you to speed ahead faster than you are able to go.