QuestionMy doctor has ordered a series of test on me to figure out if I have Fibromyalgia. There are a few tests that I don't know what they are for. BMP (CHEM 8), Helicobactor pylori Antibodies- IgG, and Ordered automated erythrocytic sed rate. Could you please tell me what these are for?
AnswerI'll be glad to try and answer your question. While there is no blood test to see if a person has fibromyalgia, a doctor will usually order tests to rule other conditions that may have similar symptoms as fibromyalgia. A Chem 8 is a basic chemistry panel. The tests include sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate (these 4 are elcrolytes), glucose (blood sugar), BUN, creatinine, (BUN + creat. are kidney function indicators), and calcium. Heliobacter pylori Antibodies test for antibodies to H. pylori, a bacterium that can cause a stomach ulcer. A erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate for short) is a test to measure general inflammation in the body. This test can't tell the doctor why the inflammation is there, further testing would be required if the sed rate is elevated.
Samantha
