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Diagnosis of beriberi usually involves a medical history and physical examination. The medical history may include questions on the duration, severity and progression of symptoms, diet, other medical conditions present and alcohol use. The physical examination may include looking for signs of beriberi of which the patient may not be aware, including swollen legs, fluid in the lungs and a rapid heartbeat. A neurologic examination may detect loss of vibratory sensation, poor or exaggerated reflexes, loss of coordination, cyclical eye movements or other indicators.

If beriberi is suspected, physician may perform one or more of the following tests:

• Thiamine dose test. The patient is given a dose of thiamine and symptoms are monitored. If the patient’s condition improves within 12 to 24 hours, beriberi is diagnosed and treatment commences.
  
  
• Blood test. Samples may be taken from the patient to assess the amount of thiamine in the blood. This may be achieved by directly measuring the amount of thiamine using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or by comparing the activity of blood enzymes before and after thiamine is added.
  
  
• Thiamine urine test. This test measures the amount of thiamine or its metabolites excreted in the urine.