Dizziness
Dizziness covers vertigo, lightheadedness and disequilibrium — distinct experiences with different work-ups. Lab work investigates anaemia, thyroid disease, electrolyte derangement and dehydration.
What it means
Patients use "dizziness" for several different sensations: true vertigo (spinning, the room moving — usually inner-ear disease), lightheadedness (about to faint — often blood pressure, anaemia, dehydration), disequilibrium (unsteadiness on feet — neurological, musculoskeletal). Distinguishing these guides the work-up. Sudden severe vertigo can be benign positional vertigo or, rarely, a stroke. Recurrent lightheadedness on standing often signals orthostatic hypotension or anaemia.
Common causes
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — sudden brief vertigo with head position changes; very common, treatable.
- Iron-deficiency anaemia — lightheadedness on exertion or standing.
- Orthostatic hypotension — lightheadedness on standing, common in elderly.
- Dehydration, low sodium, low potassium — metabolic causes.
- Hypothyroidism — chronic fatigue and balance issues.
- B12 deficiency — peripheral neuropathy and disequilibrium.
- Inner-ear disease — vestibular neuritis, Menière's disease.
- Stroke / TIA — sudden severe vertigo with neurological signs is emergency.
Lab work-up approach
Mediora interprets the focused panel: CBC + ferritin, TSH, sodium, potassium, glucose, B12 — the metabolic and haematologic contributors. Vestibular evaluation and orthostatic blood pressure are the clinician's tools.
Tests Mediora.AI can interpret
Related conditions
When to see a doctor
Sudden severe dizziness with neurological symptoms (weakness, slurred speech, double vision, sudden hearing loss) is an emergency. Recurrent or persistent dizziness without obvious trigger warrants a primary-care visit.