How can fibromyalgia be diagnosed?
There’s no single test, such as a blood test or X-rays, to help in the diagnosis. The doctor may suspect the condition from the symptoms in the absence of any structural damage, inflammation or swelling of the joints. The presence of sore areas on the body along with a history of undue tiredness and sleep disturbance can help the doctor to make the diagnosis. Those bordering on chronic fatigue syndrome or ME may occasionally show evidence of recent or past infection from blood tests, such as glandular fever or some other viral infection. Doctors usually ask for several blood tests or even X-rays to rule out other likely causes that can sometimes look like fibromyalgia, eg underactive thyroid disorder.
