Diagnostic Tests for Hand tremor

Diagnostic Test list for Hand tremor:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Hand tremor includes:

• Physical examination
  • Rapid pulse rate may indicate hyperthyroidism (especially if thyroid is enlarged) or caffeine sensitivity
  • Paroxysmal elevation of blood pressure (may suggest phaeochromocytoma)
  • Mini-mental state examination - if dementia is suspected test memory and cognitive function. If tremor is present with mental deterioration may suggest Wilson's disease or Parkinson's disease (late stages).
  • Full neurological examination. If hyperactive reflexes or up going plantar reflex (Babinski sign) this may suggest multiple sclerosis. If symmetrical tremor with nil neurological signs would suggest a familial senile tremor
  • Examine for signs of Parkinson's disease such as lack of facial expression, bent over posture, few spontaneous movements, shuffling gait, lack of normal arm swinging with walking, pill-rolling tremor (where movement of the knuckles are combined with movements of the thumb), increase tone of limbs, monotonous speech
  • Observe for chorea (non- repetitive abrupt involuntary jerky movements), Kayser-Fleischer rings (a green-brown pigment around the circumference of the cornea) due to copper deposition, signs of chronic liver failure that may suggest Wilson's disease
  • Examine for an enlarged liver which may suggest alcoholism or Wilson's disease
• Blood tests
  • Alcohol screen
  • Blood sugar (low blood sugar may cause tremor)
  • Liver function tests
  • Thyroid function tests (looking for hyperthyroidism)
  • Serum copper and caeruloplasmin (may be reduced in Wilson's disease)
• Urine tests
  • Urine drug screen
  • 24 hour Urinary copper is increased in Wilson's disease
• Radiological investigations
  • CT or MRI brain if suspect multiple sclerosis, Wilson's disease or a tumor of the cerebellum
• Electromyogram (EMG) - can be performed if there is doubt as to whether the tremor is resting or active.
• Spinal tap - may be required to diagnose multiple sclerosis.
• Electrophysiological tests such as visual-evoked response (VER) - may be required to diagnose Multiple sclerosis.

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Hand tremor causes:

• Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Test Kits
  • Home Blood Glucose Testing Kits
• Brain & Neurological Disorders: Related Home Testing:
  • ADHD -- Home Tests
  • Drug Screening Kits

Conditions listing medical symptoms: Hand tremor:

The following list of conditions have 'Hand tremor' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Hand tremor or choose View All.

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