Thyroid causing dizness?

[aknarang]

I have recently have problems with dizzy spells, most of the time I feel lightheaded and I feel like I am about to pass out. Sometimes, I do get some minor vertigo, but mostly just a lightheaded feeling. Once it got so bad I went to the hospital. I recently went through a variety of tests--including an MRI and CT scan of the brain, an MRI of the Lumbar and Cervical, and blood tests. (So all the MRIs/CT scans didn't show any problems). Of all of these tests, only the blood test came back positive for a thryoid problem. Could this be causing dizzy feelings? Or is this something else? Any help would be appreciated because I am tired of paying money to doctors who can't find out what is causing the problem.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is called pre-syncope - which is different from vertigo (room-spinning).  Usually MRI/CT of brain/spine are normal with pre-syncope. The common cause is vasodepressor syncope (a cardiologist should be able to make this diagnosis).  Sometimes it is due to dehydration.  Other times a relative deficiency of mineralocorticoid (adrenal salt hormone).

Significant thyroid abnormalities may contribute to symptoms - so consider correcting the thyroid problem, but this may not be the only cause.

[aknarang]

First of all, thanks so much for your response. Most doctors/tests haven't said much of anything, whereas you provided with some avenues to explore. I am no doctor, but when I read about vasodepressor syncope, it says people with this disorder faint. I actually have never fainted, but I often feel so dizzy/ lightheaded that I might faint. I also don't think this is because of dehydration, because I drink plently of fluids, including several bottles of water/powerade zero a day.

My other question is how to I diagnose a deficiency of mineralocotricoid? Is this a blood test? Should I see a cardologist or neurologist? Because I am young, I don't think my heart is problematic.

Anyways thanks again for the advice it really helped.