Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that it is made after ruling out other underlying medical conditions that might cause similar symptoms. There is no specific blood test to diagnose CFS, and the diagnosis is based on symptoms and a physical examination. However, there are some laboratory tests that can be done to rule out other conditions.
Tests that may be done to rule out other conditions include:
- Blood tests: Blood tests can be done to check for anemia, infection, and to measure levels of hormones and other substances that might indicate an underlying medical condition.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scan or MRI, can help to rule out other conditions that might cause fatigue such as tumors, cardiovascular diseases or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Sleep study: A sleep study can be done to evaluate for sleep disorders such as sleep apnea which can cause fatigue.
It’s worth noting that, these tests are not specific to CFS and they are used to rule out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms. Additionally, there are no specific biomarkers or lab test that can confirm the diagnosis of CFS, so the diagnosis is made based on the patient’s symptoms and medical history.