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Diagnosis of beryllium sensitization and CBD begins with a beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). The BeLPT is a blood test that helps determine if your immune system recognizes beryllium as a foreign invader and responds by building an “army” of cells in the bloodstream that are prepared to react to beryllium. In individuals who do not have beryllium sensitization or CBD, the immune system does not respond to beryllium in any manner. The BeLPT is an important first step in diagnosing disease, but it cannot determine if you have CBD (scarring in the lungs or simply beryllium sensitization (“allergy” to beryllium). Additional testing is needed to determine whether or not you have disease.
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