ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose because there is no single test or procedure that can define the disease. Through a clinical exam, that includes the following, an ALS diagnosis can be determined:
Electrodiagnostic tests including electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV)
Blood and urine studies including high-resolution serum protein electrophoresis, thyroid, and parathyroid hormone levels and 24-hour urine collection for heavy metals
In its early stages, ALS may mimic several other neurological diseases. Patients should also seek a second opinion from an ALS expert - someone who diagnoses and treats many ALS patients and one who also may be preforming ALS research.
