Mayo Clinic Health Manager
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By Mayo Clinic staffThere is no specific test for 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:
Neurological exam
This exam involves checking your:
- Tendon reflexes
- Muscle strength and tone
- Ability to feel certain sensations
- Posture and coordination
Laboratory tests
Your blood and urine may be tested for problems such as:
- Thyroid disease
- Drug side effects
Performance tests
To evaluate the tremor itself, you may be asked to:
- Drink from a glass
- Hold your arms outstretched
- Write
- Draw a spiral