Usual laboratory tests for patients suspected of having relapsing-remitting MS include: Vitamin B12 and D levels, thyroid profile, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, antinuclear antibody, SS-A, SS-B to rule out a disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome, Lyme Antibody (Lyme disease), ACE (Sarcoidosis), tests for syphilis (VDRL, FTA-ABS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)[iii]. Although syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus are unlikely, they are treatable mimics of MS that one does not wish to miss. Two other disorders that look like MS but are treated differently are ruled out with blood tests for the NMO and anti-Mog antibodies.
If you are suspected of having primary progressive MS, you should additionally have a serum copper level, HTLV III antibody (to rule out tropical spastic paraparesis) and plasma long chain fatty acids checked.