- Sensory peripheral neuropathies are common and generally do not require neurology input.
- Establishing cause in primary care
- The cause of the neuropathy may be clear (e.g. diabetes, alcohol, or medications) and nil else need be done other than addressing this.
- When there is no cause identified please send the following bloods: FBC, LFTs, U+Es, C-RP, B12 and folate, fasting blood glucose, TFTs, protein electrophoresis and Bence Jones protein. Please note however that in most, no clear cause is found.
- Are nerve conduction studies required? Neuropathies are a clinical diagnosis. Nerve conduction studies are not required for diagnosis and are also generally unhelpful in establishing cause.
Management
- Generally no management is required, unless painful, in which case topical or oral neuropathic agents may be trialled (please see Tayside chronic pain algorithm)
- Further information see National Mild Axonal Peripheral Neuropathy factsheet.