Unstimulated salivary cortisol activity.T cell response to mitogenic stimulation.RNAse L enzymatic activity assay or RNase L protein quantification.Measurements of delayed hypersensitivity.Inflammatory proteins (e.g., c-reactive protein, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, transforming growth factor-β and tumor necrosis factor) as biomarkers for CFS.Functional elevation of natural killer (NK) cells.
Evaluation of premature telomere attrition (accelerated aging).Evaluation of mitochondrial abnormalities.Evaluation metabolomics (blood and urine metabolites analysis).Evaluation of enteric dysbiosis (abnormal microbial ecology).Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cytokines assays.Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test.The peer-reviewed medical literature does not support their value in the diagnosis or treatment of individuals with CFS: Thyroid function tests (thyroid hormone uptake or thyroid hormone binding ratio, thyroid stimulating hormone )įootnotes* Optional tests to be used when clinically indicated.Īetna considers the following laboratory tests and procedures experimental and investigational for the diagnosis or treatment of members with CFS.Polysomnography Footnotes* (to rule out sleep disorder).MRI of head Footnotes* (to rule out multiple sclerosis).Lyme serology Footnotes* (when endemic).Immunoglobulin levels (in patients with documented recurrent bacterial infections) Footnotes*.Complete blood count (CBC) with differential cell count.Blood and serum chemistries (blood urea nitrogen, calcium, creatinine, glucose, serum electrolytes).The selection of studies depends on the specific characteristics of a given case: Aetna considers the following as medically necessary exclusionary tests to be used for the evaluation of members suspected of having chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as recommended by the National Institutes of Health.