Diagnosis

[Sandi]

Can someone tell my how dysautonomia is diagnosed? Is there any tests that positivly diagnose it?

I ask as if after I discuss this possibility with my rheumatologist I need to know if I would have to find or be referred to a specialist re dysautonoamia. I'm not much on wasting time and suffering going to somebody who just isn't informed completely. There is only one physician that is mentioned on this site that would be an option. Thanks Sandra

[Ernie]

Hi,

With a TTT.

[ana_22]

I thought you could do other autonomic tests such as the vaslava (? spelling) and breathing tests and sweat tests?

i thought the TTT was only for POTS, Syncope and forms of OI?

[Ernie]

Hi,

You can also do the other tests if you want to.

[ajw4790]

Hi,

From what I know a TTT is the gold standard way of diagnosing POTS. The other tests mentioned are more for dysautonomia as a whole. The sweat tests look at small fiber neuropathy, and the breathing tests look to see if certain ANS reflexes are intact.

[lloppyllama]

A TTT which means Tilt Table Test, also sweat tests, and nerve conduction studies along with a electromyography. Those are what I had.

[mkoven]

A quick and dirty test you can do is the "poor man's tilt." Have someone check your bp and hr lying, sitting, and standing, waiting for several minutes in each position. it's not as precise as the tilt and shorter, but many of us show abnormalities just by doing this. you can even do it at home and bring the doc your numbers.

[momofsara]

A TTT which means Tilt Table Test, also sweat tests, and nerve conduction studies along with a electromyography. Those are what I had.

Ditto to these for Sara's diagnosis

[flop]

For my diagnosis of POTS in 2005 I had just a tilt table test. Last year I went to a specialist centre and had some of the other tests done too but it still just showed POTS.

Flop

[Sunfish]

if you haven't already seen it, the page on dinet's main site re: diagnosis (aka "detection") lists as well as explains any of the tests that have been mentioned (plus more). while the page is entitled "how is pots detected" & thus seems to be specific to POTS, in reality most, if not all, of the information related to testing/ evaluation itself (as opposed to test results) is applicable for dysautonomia in general. the direct link is: http://www.dinet.org/how_is_pots_detected.htm

in any discussion related to diagnosing dysautonomia it's also key to recognize & include the importance of clinical signs & symptoms. a relevant & thorough clinical history & exam allowing for proper consideration of relevant signs & symptoms by a clinician familiar with autonomic dysfunction is in many cases just as important as any testing (& in some cases may even be more so). obviously testing can important but it is far more relevant & useful when combined with clinical evaluation.

as others have mentioned a tilt table test (TTT) is often considered the "go to" test for dysautonomia or, more specifically, the orthostatic intolerance that is front & center to many types of autonomic dysfunction. for many with POTS, NCS, &/or other variants of dysautonomia wherein orthostatic intolerance & related issues is the prevailing problem the TTT - combined with evaluation of clinical signs & symptoms - is often the only dysautonomia-specific testing needed.

additional tests can be helpful in some cases & can help flush out the extent &/or mechanism of autonomic dysfunction throughout the body, may at times provide clues toward the best treatment(s), &/or can simply provide information & reassurance in the form of exclusion (aka confirming that a particular thing is not a concern). but more is not always better; for some people (& their accompanying clinical profiles) an abundance of testing will show little more than what was shown on the TTT.

hope this helps,

melissa

p.s. i was originally diagnosed - with NCS - with "just" a TTT. over the years the extent of my illness progression - in addition to my participation in several clinical trials - has led to my having most all of the dysautonomia-specific tests as well as a wide array of other more system-specific tests that can be part of autonomic dysfunction (i.e. tests for GI function/motility).