Tourette Syndrome; Diagnosing??

Why can't Tourette syndrome be diagnosed through laboratory tests?

Good question! The inability to diagnose Tourettes through blood tests is one of the reasons it is so difficult to diagnose.

TS is neurological and is diagnosed by oral history and observation in the physicians office. The oral history, most times, is provided by parents, as TS has a childhood onset.

ADVICE for parents seeking answers. Doctors need as much information as you can provide. This will help in the diagnostic process, WHATEVER the outcome (TS or other condition):

1) Keep a log of the how many times a day the tics occur.
2) Video tape your child when the tics are obvious.
3) Seek an appointment with a Pediatric Neurologist.
4) Bring your notes, your spouse, and your camera (to show the tape) with you to the Neurologist.
5) Advocate for you child, no one else will!

You may have to ask your regular physician for a referral to a Pediatric Neurologist. While you are waiting for the appointment (usually a couple of months) you can make your log and video.

Tics must be present for more than one year, even if the tics themselves are different.

Your doctor may still ask for blood so that he/she can rule out other conditions.

Because this is a neurological problem, not a blood problem. They are not the same. This needs to be diagnosed by a neurologist.

In order to be diagnosed with Tourette's, the vocal tic must be present for at least one year........No way could you diagnose it with lab tests. Like the last person stated, it's neurological.