How is berylliosis diagnosed?

Complex: The evaluation to see if beryllium exposure is producing illness is actually quite complex. It involves a number of specialized blood tests and may even require lavage specimens obtained during bronchoscopy. For starters, documentation of significant exposure to beryllium would be helpful.

Blood and biopsy: A blood test can be performed that shows evidence of sensitization to beryllium using something celled the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (belpt). Belpt can also be performed on bronchoalveolar lavage (bal) washings. Lastly, a lung biopsy can also be performed in certain cases to help make the diagnosis.