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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
To diagnose essential tremor, doctors will review your medical history, family history and symptoms and conduct a physical examination.
There aren't any specific tests used to diagnose essential tremor. Determining the diagnosis is often a matter of ruling out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. To do this, your doctor may suggest the following tests:
Neurological examination
In a neurological examination, your doctor surveys your nervous system functioning, including checking your:
- Tendon reflexes
- Muscle strength and tone
- Ability to feel certain sensations
- Posture and coordination
- Gait
Laboratory tests
Your blood and urine may be tested for several factors, including:
- Thyroid disease
- Metabolic problems
- Drug side effects
- Alcohol levels
- Levels of chemicals that may cause tremor
Performance tests
To evaluate the tremor itself, your doctor may ask you to:
- Drink from a glass
- Hold your arms outstretched
- Write
- Draw a spiral
- NINDS essential tremor information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/essential-tremor/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tremor fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/detail_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Overview of tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tremor. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic_disorders/movement_and_cerebellar_disorders/tremor.html?qt=essential%20tremor&sc=&alt=sh#top. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Parkinson's disease: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Pharmacologic treatment of essential tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Surgical treatment of essential tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Zesiewicz TA, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: Treatment of Essential Tremor: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. 2011;77:1752.
- Coping tips. International Essential Tremor Foundation. http://www.essentialtremor.org/Coping-Tips. Accessed Nov. 20, 2012.
- Support groups. International Essential Tremor Foundation. http://www.essentialtremor.org/siteresources/apps/supportgroups/. Accessed Nov. 20, 2012.
- NINDS essential tremor information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/essential-tremor/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tremor fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
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