Diabetic Neuropathy

Your health care provider can usually diagnose diabetic neuropathy by performing a physical exam and carefully reviewing your symptoms and medical history.

Your health care provider typically checks your:

• Overall muscle strength and tone
• Tendon reflexes
• Sensitivity to touch, pain, temperature and vibration

Along with the physical exam, your health care provider may perform or order specific tests to help diagnose diabetic neuropathy, such as:

• Filament testing. A soft nylon fiber (monofilament) is brushed over areas of your skin to test your sensitivity to touch.
• Sensory testing. This noninvasive test is used to tell how your nerves respond to vibration and changes in temperature.
• Nerve conduction testing. This test measures how quickly the nerves in your arms and legs conduct electrical signals.
• Electromyography. Called needle testing, this test is often done along with nerve conduction studies. It measures electrical discharges produced in your muscles.
• Autonomic testing. Special tests may be done to determine how your blood pressure changes while you are in different positions, and whether your sweating is within the standard range.