Once Duchenne is suspected from the symptoms, there is a range of tests that can be done by a doctor to reach a diagnosis, which are listed below.
Creatine Kinase
The muscles contain an enzyme called creatine kinase (CK), and when muscles are damaged, this enzyme spills out into the bloodstream. Measuring CK levels in the blood verifies that there has been muscle damage, but does not give a definite diagnosis.
DNA testing
DNA is obtained from a blood sample and scientists are able to examine the dystrophin gene to find out exactly where the mutation has occurred.
Muscle biopsy
If DNA testing does not give a clear diagnosis a muscle biopsy may be needed. A surgeon removes a small sample of muscle and it is examined under a microscope to see if dystrophin protein is present.