Peripheral neuropathy

March 2008     View PDF     En español

How is it diagnosed?

People living with HIV can have conditions of the nervous system other than PN, so it’s important to describe your symptoms correctly to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Talking to your health provider sooner rather than later will also improve your diagnosis and outcome, and reduce further damage to your nerves.

Your doctor will base her or his diagnosis of PN by talking to you about your symptoms. No actual tests are needed for the diagnosis; however, tests are needed to find its cause. The most common test, an EMG, measures electrical currents in your nerves and muscles, and helps diagnose PN. Different types of PN will affect these currents differently.

Many other tests are used to find the underlying causes, though this can be challenging and elusive. They include an EEG, MRI, CT scan, lumbar puncture, nerve and muscle biopsies, and blood and urine tests. Even after taking many tests, some people may still not know what’s causing their PN.