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A neurological evaluation of patients with suspected restless legs syndrome usually includes:

• Spinal cord and peripheral nerve function
• Sensory and motor function
• Evaluation of deep tendon reflexes
• Evaluation of muscle strength
• A vascular examination is also recommended in order to rule out deep vein thrombosis

Laboratory Studies

Laboratory studies that may be conducted in patients with suspected restless legs syndrome include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Iron
• Ferritin
• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• Thyroid function test
• Kidney function test
• Liver function test
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Peripheral nerve conduction studies (to rule out peripheral neuropathy)

Related Diagnostic Studies

Related diagnostic studies that can confirm the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome include:

• Suggested Immobilization Test (SIT) - This test has been proposed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as a supplementary test to assess subjective and motor components of restless legs syndrome.

• Polysomnography - Polysomnography is an overnight sleep test performed in a hospital or sleep center which allows doctors to continuously monitor various physiological activities during sleep. Polysomnography is usually not necessary to reach a diagnosis of restless legs syndrome but may be considered if sleep is still disrupted even after treatment of restless legs syndrome. Factors that are evaluated during polysomnography include:

  • brain electrical activity
  • eye movement
  • jaw movement
  • leg muscle movement
  • airway and respiration