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What Kinds Of Tests Are There To Determine If A Person Has Neuropathy?
Question: Hi. What kinds of tests are there to determine if a person has neuropathy?
Brief Answer:
Nerve conduction tests can detect neuropathy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
The most important aspect of diagnosis in neurology is clinical history and examination. This applies to neuropathy too. History of tingling, burning, numbness and weakness are very common in peripheral neuropathy. Usually symptoms begin distally (feet and hands) and progress proximally (to legs, thighs, forearms and arms).
Neve conduction tests (NCV) are the gold standard test for diagnosing neuropathy. In this test, the nerves are stimulated by weak electric current and their amplitude, velocity of nerve impulses, etc are measured. This test can detect whether the neuropathy is severe or mild, whether it is affecting only sensory or motor nerves or both, or whether they are affecting axons (central core of nerves) or myelin (nerve covering).
In addition, tests are required to find out the cause of neuropathy. This includes blood sugar, thyroid, vitamin B12 levels, etc.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Nerve conduction tests can detect neuropathy.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
The most important aspect of diagnosis in neurology is clinical history and examination. This applies to neuropathy too. History of tingling, burning, numbness and weakness are very common in peripheral neuropathy. Usually symptoms begin distally (feet and hands) and progress proximally (to legs, thighs, forearms and arms).
Neve conduction tests (NCV) are the gold standard test for diagnosing neuropathy. In this test, the nerves are stimulated by weak electric current and their amplitude, velocity of nerve impulses, etc are measured. This test can detect whether the neuropathy is severe or mild, whether it is affecting only sensory or motor nerves or both, or whether they are affecting axons (central core of nerves) or myelin (nerve covering).
In addition, tests are required to find out the cause of neuropathy. This includes blood sugar, thyroid, vitamin B12 levels, etc.
I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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