Topic Overview
Doctors do not use lab tests to diagnose
. The results of lab tests done on people
with fibromyalgia should be normal unless another condition is present.
You may have lab tests to rule out other diseases or to find out
whether you have another disease in addition to fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia may
occur along with other joint and muscle (rheumatic) diseases, such as
rheumatoid arthritis. Finding these other conditions is important, because
they may need different treatment.
If your doctor thinks that you may have another muscle or joint
disease based on your symptoms, history, and physical exam, he or she may do
any of the following tests:
- A complete blood count (CBC)
- An
erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or a C-reactive protein (CRP) test to help
identify diseases that cause inflammation, such as
- A rheumatoid factor
(RF) test to check for
- An antinuclear
antibodies (ANA) test to check for certain conditions such as systemic
erythematosus (a condition that can affect the
bones and skin and several other organs)
- Thyroid hormone tests to
check for low or high thyroid gland activity. Thyroid problems can cause
fatigue and muscle soreness.
- A blood calcium level test to check
for a low calcium level, which can cause muscle cramps
The test results may show that you have a disease other than
fibromyalgia. It is also possible that you have both fibromyalgia and another
condition. Test results can be
.
Doctors do not use these tests to diagnose fibromyalgia. You only
need them if your medical history and physical exam suggest that you might have
a condition other than fibromyalgia.