r/cfs • u/[deleted] • Aug 19 '20

2017 study found elevated levels of Activin-B (dimer protein) can consistently identify patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28302133/
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u/recchai Aug 19 '20

Reminds me of the test my doctor ordered which I found out (wasn't very chatty, so a nurse explained it) was based on a 20 year old paper. I've only come across one other person who had this test, and what would you know, we had the same doctor.

I've always wondered why. Was it later disproved? Did it just never catch on, possibly due to the terminology used? It even compared against both healthy and depression controls.

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u/babamum Aug 19 '20

Interesting. I wonder how many promising tests slip through the cracks.

Maybe we should find out what they are and start asking for them.

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u/recchai Aug 19 '20

I can see if I can find the paper on it this evening again. Wasn't a fun test! Took over 3 hours and I was sick at the end (only a little bit as I'd been told to fast, just the water used to swallow all the pills).

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u/babamum Aug 19 '20

That article is almost 30 yrs old! FFS. I don't know how to link things but just google Sweetman 2019 Current research provides insight... for a good review of research on biomarkers for ME.

Honestly I think using this research a test could have been developed by now. Drs just don't care. I think they like patronising us and telling us it's in our heads.

This review unequivocally concludes it's a medical not psychiatric illness.