A blood test is one of the important examinations carried out in laboratory medicine.
Various causes of neurological diseases can be detected by means of specific blood tests.
These include inflammatory causes such as in neuroborreliosis, multiple sclerosis or rheumatological diseases.
Metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or thyroid disorders can also be identified as the cause of neurological disorders. Rarer metabolic diseases can also be detected, such as in some forms of polyneuropathy, dementia, movement disorders (Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, Wilson’s disease, etc.), restless legs syndrome, muscle diseases (myasthenia, muscular dystrophy, etc.).
In some cases, genetic tests using a blood sample also help to confirm the diagnosis.
A blood test is not sufficient for the exact diagnosis of some neurological diseases (e.g. neuroborreliosis, multiple sclerosis). In these cases, it is often essential to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by means of a lumbar puncture.
