Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease that can present and evolve differently. Diagnosing MS is not always straightforward, as there’s no single symptom, physical finding or blood test to confirm if a person has MS. What’s more, some of the early signs or symptoms of MS can be caused by other conditions.
What to do if you think you have MS
If you’ve not been feeling like yourself or are worried you’ve been experiencing MS symptoms, help is available. Health professionals can provide answers, support and guide you before, during and after a diagnosis.
Whether you have MS or not, reaching out to an MS nurse or your GP (general practitioner) to investigate your concerns is always the right decision for your health. They will listen to your story, take a detailed history of your symptoms and undertake physical and neurological exams. You may then be referred to a neurologist for further tests and an accurate diagnosis.
Further resources
Watch our two-part series with MS Nurse, Dr Therese Burke AM recorded in May 2024. In part one, Therese discusses what to do when you think you may have MS, and in part two, she covers the diagnosis process and how to cope if you are waiting for confirmation of a diagnosis.
Criteria for an MS diagnosis
There’s no single formula or test to diagnose MS, as it can look different in everyone. There can be many reasons your body is showing symptoms of MS. However, there are two key criteria that are used as a basic rule in multiple sclerosis testing.
MS identification and testing
There are a variety of tests to determine if you have multiple sclerosis (MS). These are some of the methods used to reach a diagnosis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRIs are a medical imaging scan used to detect damage or scarring (i.e., lesions) caused by MS in the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord.
An MS diagnosis may not rely solely on an MRI result, as it’s possible for it to detect lLesions caused by another disease, and lesions in healthy people with no ongoing disease.
Sometimes, your medical history and results of other clinical testing can point to having MS. Your MRI results are part of a clear MS diagnosis.
Read more about MRIs and MS
Clinical examination
During a clinical exam, a doctor will take your medical history into consideration while examining you for a range of symptoms, including:
- Movement and strength, balance and coordination
- Mision
- Functions of the five senses (eyesight, taste, hearing, smell and touch)
- Muscle tone and reflexes
- Sensation
- Memory and thinking
Other diagnostic tests
In many cases, an MRI scan and clinical exams are enough to diagnose MS. Additional tests may be needed if results are unclear, including:
- Electrical diagnostic studies – looking for a slowing of messages in the various parts of the brain
- Cerebrospinal fluid studies – testing for a clear fluid that protects your brain and spine. Having multiple oligoclonal bands (proteins) is a sign of inflammation in the central nervous system, which could be caused by MS or another disease
- Blood tests – used to rule out other causes for symptoms you’re experiencing
Learn more about MS
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