sweat testing

Sweat testing measures the amount of salt (sodium and chloride) in a person’s sweat, which helps diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF). During the test, small amounts of a safe, mild stimulating solution are applied to your skin, usually on the arm or leg, to make you sweat. The sweat is then collected using a special collection device and analyzed in a lab. Elevated levels of salt in the sweat are indicative of CF, as affected individuals have difficulty regulating salt in their cells. The test is non-invasive, simple, and provides valuable information for diagnosis.