Fibromyalgia Tests & Diagnosis
How Is Fibromyagia Diagnosed?
FIbromyalgia is what medical professionals call a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that they run tests to eliminate other potential diagnoses. Due to my gastrointestinal issues (IBS), I underwent a battery of gut tests, from scopes to swallowing a camera-pill. In addition to visiting a a gastrointerologist, I've seen a rheumtologist, hematologist, urinologist, pain management doctor, and multiple GPs. All the tests came back negative. The rheumatologist said it must be fibro, as did the gastrointerologist. That's my story.
To diagnose fibromyalgia in the United States in 2025, there is no specific test, such as a blood test or imaging scan, that can definitively confirm the condition. Instead, the diagnosis is typically based on a combination of factors, including:
1. Medical History and Symptoms Review: The doctor will ask about your symptoms, including widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties (sometimes referred to as "fibro fog").
2. Physical Examination: A physical exam may be done to assess tenderness in specific areas of the body, known as "tender points." Historically, fibromyalgia was diagnosed by the presence of pain in at least 11 of 18 specific tender points, but this is no longer a strict requirement for diagnosis.
3. Exclusion of Other Conditions: Since there are no specific tests for fibromyalgia, doctors often rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or thyroid disorders. This may involve:
-Blood tests to check for inflammation or autoimmune conditions.
-Imaging tests (like X-rays or MRIs) to rule out other causes of pain.
-Tests for conditions that can cause fatigue or sleep disturbances.
4. Symptom Duration: The symptoms, particularly widespread pain and fatigue, need to have been present for at least three months to meet the criteria for fibromyalgia.
5. The 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Criteria: This is a set of guidelines for diagnosing fibromyalgia, which focuses on the presence of widespread pain and other symptoms such as fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, and uses a scoring system based on these factors.
While there's no single test for fibromyalgia, a thorough clinical assessment helps in making an accurate diagnosis and ruling out other potential causes of the symptoms.