Summary
| Direction in ME/CFS | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Inflammatory |
| Also described as | Immunomodulatory cytokine |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Immune regulation, fibrosis signaling |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| LOINC code | 27999-4 |
| Source | Corbitt et al. 2019 — doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.008 |
| Condition atlas | ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) is reported
- Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC, R
See the cross-condition hub: Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) across conditions.
Trials, interventions and tests
Commercial test availability
Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) — specialty laboratory test. Specialty send-out assay.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related Inflammatory markers in ME/CFS
- Interleukin-1 (IL-1α/β) ↑
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) ↕
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) ↕
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8 / CXCL8) ↕
- Interleukin-10 (IL-10) ↕
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ↕
- Leptin ↑
- Resistin ↕
Full list: ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) high or low in ME/CFS?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) in ME/CFS than in healthy controls. Source: Corbitt et al. 2019.
What symptoms is Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) associated with in ME/CFS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Immune regulation, fibrosis signaling. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). The standard laboratory code is LOINC 27999-4. Commercial laboratories such as ARUP Laboratories list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) result diagnostic of ME/CFS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of ME/CFS. Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) specific to ME/CFS?
No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from me-cfs.json · Browse: ME/CFS atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.