New Test for Diagnosis

SUSANA28

I have just been reading about a blood test that confirms Fibromyalgia, can I ask my Doctor for this test ? Is it freely available ?

Adrian_Scope

Good afternoon @SUSANA28 and a warm welcome to the community.

It's my understanding and the NHS page states that there isn't a specific test for diagnosing Fibromyalgia. Can I ask where you read about it? I'd be really interested to learn more. 

chiarieds

Hi @SUSANA28 - & welcome to the community. As far as I'm aware, there isn't as yet a blood test that will confirm fibromyalgia. If we're both looking at the same thing, then a study was done on patients who already had a diagnosis of fibro, with normal healthy patients as controls. However, this test wasn't as accurate when some with rheumatoid arthritis & systemic lupus erythematosus (but not fibro) were used as more appropriate controls, i.e. some of the conditions that currently known blood tests would use to differentiate between these & fibro.

Again, as far as I'm aware, other studies have yet to be undertaken to replicate this study, or use it in cases of suspected fibro.

You can read about this study here: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0501/p566.html

Is this what you had come across?

SUSANA28

One way of diagnosing fibromyalgia was to check 18 "tender points" of the body. If 11 were found to be painful to the touch, the individual was considered for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Currently, without an accurate, specific test for fibromyalgia, a proper diagnosis often takes years. However, two new blood tests are proving to be promising diagnostic tools for fibromyalgia.

Cytokines and chemokines are proteins found in blood cells. Abnormally low levels of these proteins have been linked to fibromyalgia. An innovative blood test can determine the level of cytokines and chemokines in the blood. In many cases, this blood test can provide a diagnosis of fibromyalgia within a week. This blood test has proven in clinical studies to have an accuracy rate of over 90% in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a molecule in the blood that basically communicates among cells. RNA analysis (looking at molecular communication at a cellular level) is the second promising new blood test for diagnosing fibromyalgia. Essentially, the test can determine what is actually taking place within the body's blood cells. This test can differentiate between fibromyalgia and other similar conditions. It has a 94% accuracy rate and the test report is available in a week.

These two blood tests for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are promising. They offer a huge advantage in providing a proper, timely diagnosis for fibromyalgia. However, the tests are expensive and not yet widely used by physicians. Currently, the test may not be covered by most insurance companies. At the present time, both test are available for doctors to order. You can talk with your physician about these blood tests and if they are appropriate to you.

poppy123456

Are you currently living in the UK? My reason for asking is you mention the tests may not be covered through insurance companies. A lot of people living in the UK will use the NHS and not medical insurance. 

chiarieds

I believe you have quoted from here: https://www.painscale.com/article/promising-blood-tests-for-the-diagnosis-of-fibromyalgia

As this is from the USA, it's probably a moot point if this would be available here in the UK. In 2019 the cost was said to be just over $1000, for a test that 'may' indicate fibro. A bit of a red flag to me is the mention of checking 18 tender points as the criteria changed in 2016 according to the American College of Rheumatologists to those listed in Table 1 in the link above (which was about the cytokines you've mentioned). Another is that Drs & scientists, etc. can disagree, & altho problems with auto-immunity (as mentioned in your post) have been thought to possibly cause fibro, most agree that altho the cause isn't as yet definitely known, it's rather thought to be a problem of central sensitisation.

I find it interesting as to what Des Quinn has previously said about another 'autoimmune' study:

'Des Quinn, the chair of Fibromyalgia Action UK, said: “The prospect of fibromyalgia being an autoimmune condition has been debated many times and this will add to that discussion. If these results can be replicated and expanded upon, then the prospect of a new treatment for people with fibromyalgia would be extraordinary. However, the results need further confirmation and investigation before the outcomes can be applied universally.”

It would also be interesting to investigate how these findings relate to other symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive issues, he added.'

I totally agree that studies need to be replicated & peer reviewed (& not have any conflict of interest!) before more will hopefully be known, so for now I'd remain sceptical of such claims. You may however find Fibromyalgia Action UK's website & online forum helpful. Please see: https://fmauk.org/

WelshBlue

Polymyalgia is picked up in bloods because of inflammation ... Fibro' no inflammation.  I can't imagine a blood test picking up abnormal sensory processing ?  Always happy to be wrong.

A Rheumatologist and Psychologist agree that the likely cause of my Fibro' manifestation is too many physical injuries and mental/ emotional traumas.  Layman's terms ...  That my brain and body has sort of said ... enough's enough.  They can't cope anymore

Would love a miracle cure. I live in an area where the RAF do low level flying ... 8 jets have screamed over today and my body is yinging beyond words, with sensory overload