For individuals showing signs and symptoms that are consistent with myasthenia gravis, doctors may conduct the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:

• Neurological Exam: Measures the function of an individual’s reflexes, muscle strength, muscle tone, senses of touch and sight, coordination, and balance. If a person has any difficulty moving their eyes or muscles, a medical professional may decide to conduct additional evaluations.

• Ice Pack Test: Placing an ice pack on a muscle that is not functioning properly for a few minutes, and testing whether the patient has improved control of that muscle after the ice pack is removed. This test is often used for individuals who have a drooping eyelid, therefore, the ice pack would be placed on the person's eye.

• Blood Tests: Checks if there are abnormal antibodies present in the blood.

• Repetitive Nerve Stimulation: Measures the connections between muscles and nerves by using electrodes attached to nerves to detect the response to an electrical stimulus.

• Single-Fiber Electromyography (EMG): Tests a single muscle fiber by inserting an electrode through the skin and into a muscle to measure activity between the brain and muscles.

• Imaging: CT scans and MRI scans help visualize and check for abnormal growth in the thymus or a thymus gland tumor (thymoma).

Although there is no known cure for MG, treatments and medications can effectively reduce its signs and symptoms.

Medications

Here’s a list of medications that may help manage MG:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors: Cholinesterase inhibitors improve communication between nerves and muscles, supporting muscle contraction and strength. An example of this type of medication is pyridostigmine.

• Immunosuppressants:  Immunosuppressants decrease inflammation, alter the immune system, and can reduce the body's production of abnormal antibodies. Examples of immunosuppressants include azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine, methotrexate and tacrolimus.

• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids suppress the immune system which can limit antibody production. An example of this type of medication is prednisone

Intravenous Therapy

Intravenous therapy can be used for a short period of time to address sudden worsening of MG symptoms.‍

• Plasmapheresis: Runs blood from the body through a machine that filters out the ACh and MuSK antibodies, and then sends the filtered blood back into the body.

• Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg): Adds normal antibodies to a patient’s blood to alter the immune response.

• Monoclonal Antibodies: Man-made proteins that behave like human antibodies to alter immune response.

Surgery

• Individuals with myasthenia gravis may have an enlarged thymus gland and/or a tumor (thymoma) on it. The thymus gland, located in the upper chest beneath the breastbone, is part of the immune system. When the thymus gland is enlarged or has tumors, it can cause the production of antibodies that lead to muscle weakness. Therefore, people with MG may require a thymectomy, which entails removing the thymus gland. In some cases, even if tests on the thymus gland do not indicate a problem, surgical removal of the gland may improve symptoms.