How Is Peripheral Neuropathy Diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects you may have a form of peripheral neuropathy, he or she may refer you to a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nerves. The neurologist (or your own doctor) will begin by taking a history of your symptoms and examining you for signs of muscle weakness, numbness, and impaired reflexes. You may need blood and urine tests to check for vitamin or metabolic deficiencies and the presence of any underlying disease or genetic defect that may be affecting your nerve function. You may also be given an electromyography (EMG) test, which is used to assess nerve and muscle function and measure the electrical properties of the nerves. Using an EMG, physicians can often pinpoint the abnormal nerves and determine which part of their structure is damaged. Nerve and muscle biopsies may also be performed and may provide valuable information about the type and cause of the neuropathy. A spinal tap, or lumbar puncture, is sometimes recommended to help identify in
