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What tests are needed to determine the cause of dizziness?

Mar 19, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
When considering the causes of vertigo, doctors may use tests such as blood work, head CT or MRI, hearing tests, electronystagmography (ENG), and vestibular function tests to determine the underlying cause. By checking indicators such as complete blood count, blood glucose, electrolyte levels, and thyroid function, it is possible to help rule out vertigo caused by anemia, hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalance, or thyroid disease.

When considering the causes of dizziness, doctors may use tests such as blood work, head CT or MRI, hearing tests, electronystagmography (ENG), and vestibular function tests to determine the cause. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Blood Tests: By measuring indicators such as complete blood count, blood glucose, electrolyte levels, and thyroid function, blood tests can help rule out dizziness caused by anemia, hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalance, or thyroid disease.

2. Head CT or MRI: Imaging studies can detect structural abnormalities in the brain, such as tumors, cerebrovascular disease, encephalitis, or cerebral infarction, all of which can cause dizziness. CT and MRI are commonly used non-invasive diagnostic tools that help clarify the underlying cause.

3. Hearing Tests: Hearing loss or tinnitus often accompanies dizziness. Hearing assessments can evaluate inner ear function and aid in diagnosing ear-related conditions such as Ménière's disease and vestibular neuritis. Common hearing tests include pure-tone audiometry and tympanometry.

4. Electronystagmography (ENG): This test records the electrical activity of eye movements to assess the function of the vestibular and ocular motor systems. ENG is valuable in diagnosing conditions like vestibular neuritis and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

5. Vestibular Function Tests: These include caloric testing, rotational testing, and posturography, which are used to evaluate the balance function of the vestibular system. These tests can help physicians determine whether dizziness is caused by dysfunction of the vestibular system and further identify the location of the lesion.

If symptoms of persistent or recurrent dizziness occur, prompt medical attention should be sought for comprehensive evaluation. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and avoiding excessive fatigue and mental stress can help reduce the occurrence of dizziness.

References

[1] Kong Weijia. SCD Procedural Diagnostic Strategy and Diagnostic Pathway for Vertigo Diseases [J]. Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, 2024, 38(11): 985-1000.

[2] Meng Zhen. Medical Diagnosis of Dizziness: Examination and Testing Methods [J]. Health Must-Read, 2024, (29): 59-60.

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