Diagnosing Parkinson’s

Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can feel overwhelming, but it is often an important first step towards accessing the right treatment, support and long term care planning.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, coordination and many aspects of daily life. Early diagnosis can help people begin treatment sooner, make lifestyle adjustments and access therapies that may help maintain independence and quality of life.

According to Parkinson’s UK, around 166,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s, and approximately 28,000 people are diagnosed each year. That means someone in the UK is diagnosed with Parkinson’s every 20 minutes.

How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

There is currently no single test that can definitively diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

Instead, diagnosis is usually based on a combination of:

• Medical history and symptom review
• Physical and neurological examinations
• Observation of movement related symptoms
• Assessment by a neurologist or Parkinson’s specialist

Doctors will look for common motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s, including:

In many cases, specialists also assess how symptoms respond to Parkinson’s medication such as levodopa. A noticeable improvement may help support a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Early signs of Parkinson’s

Some symptoms of Parkinson’s may appear years before diagnosis, particularly non-motor symptoms that can initially seem unrelated.

Early signs may include:

• Loss of sense of smell
• Sleep disturbances
• Constipation
• Anxiety or depression
• General fatigue
• Small or cramped handwriting, known as micrographia

When these symptoms appear alongside movement related changes such as tremors or stiffness, they may help clinicians identify Parkinson’s earlier.

What tests are used to diagnose Parkinson’s?

Although Parkinson’s cannot usually be confirmed through a blood test or standard scan alone, doctors may use additional tests to rule out other conditions.

These tests may include:

MRI or CT scans

Brain imaging may be used to exclude other neurological conditions such as strokes, tumours or structural brain changes.

DaTscan

A DaTscan is a specialised imaging test that helps assess dopamine activity within the brain. It may help support diagnosis when symptoms are unclear.

Blood tests

Blood tests may be used to rule out other causes of symptoms, such as vitamin deficiencies or thyroid conditions.

These investigations help specialists distinguish Parkinson’s from conditions with similar symptoms, including:

• Essential tremor
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
• Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

Who diagnoses Parkinson’s disease?

For many people, concerns are first raised during an appointment with their GP.

A GP may refer the individual to:

• A neurologist
• A movement disorder specialist
• A Parkinson’s nurse specialist

These professionals may work alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists to build a fuller understanding of the individual’s symptoms and support needs.

Why early diagnosis matters

Receiving an early Parkinson’s diagnosis can make a significant difference to long term wellbeing and quality of life.

Early diagnosis may help individuals:

• Begin medication sooner
• Access physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Improve symptom management
• Maintain independence for longer
• Plan for future care and support needs
• Make lifestyle adjustments that support wellbeing

Because Parkinson’s affects everyone differently, earlier access to personalised support can help people continue living well with the condition.

Parkinson’s diagnosis statistics in the UK

Parkinson’s becomes more common with age, although it can affect adults of all ages.

According to Parkinson’s UK:

• The average age of diagnosis is 69
• More than 1 in 3 people diagnosed are of working age
• Around 1 in 16 people are diagnosed before the age of 50
• Around 59% of people living with Parkinson’s in the UK are men

Experts also expect the number of people living with Parkinson’s in the UK to continue rising as the population ages.

What happens after a Parkinson’s diagnosis?

After diagnosis, healthcare professionals will usually create a personalised treatment and support plan tailored around the individual’s symptoms and lifestyle.

This may include:

• Medication management
• Regular symptom monitoring
• Physiotherapy and mobility support
• Speech and language therapy
• Nutritional guidance
• Emotional wellbeing support
• Advice on exercise and daily routines

Many people also benefit from practical support at home as symptoms progress over time.

Treatment and support for Parkinson’s disease

Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, ongoing research continues to improve understanding, treatment and symptom management.

With the right support, many people living with Parkinson’s continue to lead active, fulfilling and independent lives for many years after diagnosis.

Support may include:

• Medication
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Emotional and psychological support
• Personalised home care

Because symptoms and progression vary from person to person, care should always be tailored around the individual’s specific needs and wellbeing.