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Nerve biopsy test: Is it done by a neurologist or rheumatologist?
Neuropathy | Last Active: Dec 10, 2021 | Replies (222)Comment receiving replies
Hi Rachel, well, I worked in patient care for over 20 years. I also loved my microbiology class in college. So whatever you feel comfortable sharing. I would probably research the info as I'm sure you already are! I'm pretty cerebral and awestruck by how God created the human body and it's function and/or, malfunction! Your results may give myself and others some perspective/relativity to their/our own path and neuro reports when/if we get them. Hope you will get a better understanding of what you learn. Do you have an appointment in place to go over the results w/ the doc who ordered the Bx's? I would have a paper and pen handy to take notes. At least I KNOW I need that. Research shows that patients forget up to 80% of what doctors tell them as soon as they leave the office. There are other studies that speak to the specific amount of time patients are able to absorb what the doctor tells them. Like they can only receive the first few minutes. I can't find that now. Nothing is simple!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be well, Sunnyflower
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@sunnyflower Ohhhhh, this is nothing new my friend. My results are from January 2019. I just never knew at that time patients were entitled to every office visit note, reports, labs, etc... I was quite deep in pain, frustration and anxiety when my results came back and so overwhelmed that I never considered obtaining for myself, only making sure my disability company and Social Security Admin received their copies for long term disability. Always having to prove my case.
It was ironic you asked recently about skin punch biopsy labs because I had already been scheduled for a routine consult with my neurologist and had planned to dissect the report, all this time later, out of curiosity. When visiting my Dr and asking him to clarify a deeper meaning of my lab, like the percentage of neuropathy revealed which I've researched can be detected, he disagreed.
Part 1 of my biopsy was epidermal nerve fiber density. Both left calf and left thigh were normal.
Part 2 was sweat gland nerve fiber density. It revealed my left calf sweat gland nerve fiber density was 31.6, verifying Small Fiber Neuropathy diagnosis. Abnormal range is <36.5 and low normal is 36.5 - 38.5 which proves early stages of SFN. I could have told ya that one based upon my temperature irregularities!
One interesting find on the sweat gland nerve fiber density was that my left thigh biopsy had no identifiable sweat glands. Basically, it's a crap shoot where the Dr scoops from and can be hit or miss. No biggie, I wasn't charged due to no findings!
So, that's about it....Therapath Neuropathology reports indicate the result value (numbers) and provide interpretation of results which state the percentile. My percentile was defined as the 5th percentile with significantly reduced sweat gland nerve fiber density. It states it cant indicate cause for SFN or predict a response to therapy. The diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition depends on the patient's presentation and results of all laboratory investigations as interpreted by the treating physician.
If you'd like to see my actual report, I have no problem sending it by private message to you. Hope this helps satisfy your curiosity. 😊
Be well,
Rachel