Diagnostic Lab Near Me
BeLPT Test
What is a BeLPT Test?
The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is a blood test that measures beryllium sensitization, which is an "allergic" reaction to beryllium. BeLPT is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosis of beryllium sensitization. BeLPT is performed by a specialized diagnostic laboratory.
During a BeLPT test, a small sample of blood is drawn from a vein in the arm and sent to a diagnostic laboratory for analysis.
The BeLPT test can also be done as a skin prick test. In this type of test, a small amount of beryllium solution is placed on the skin, and then a small needle is used to prick the skin. If a person is sensitized to beryllium, they will develop a raised, itchy bump at the site of the skin prick.
When someone is exposed to beryllium, their body may produce antibodies to beryllium. The BeLPT test measures the level of these antibodies in the blood. A positive BeLPT test indicates that a person has been exposed to beryllium and is sensitized to it.
People who are sensitized to beryllium may develop chronic beryllium disease (CBD), a serious lung condition that can be debilitating and even life-threatening. CBD is a progressive disease, meaning it gets worse over time. There is no cure for CBD, but early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the disease and improve symptoms.
If you have been exposed to beryllium and are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, or fatigue, talk to your doctor about getting tested for BeLPT. Early diagnosis and treatment of BeLPT is important to preventing the development of chronic beryllium disease.
Are you searching 'diagnostic lab near me' because you are interested in taking a BeLPT test? If you are searching 'diagnostic lab near me' in Montreal, come to Immuni T. Immuni T is a contract research organization (CRO) providing high quality services in immunology and immunotoxicology with a core expertise in functional cell-based assays, flow cytometry and ligand-binding bioanalysis.
Contact us to learn more!