Question
When would an audiologist suspect that a thyroid dysfunction is contributing to a dizziness complaint?Answer
This question is difficult to answer from several perspectives. First, "dizziness" is a non-specific term that inadequately describes a patient's symptoms. Second, there is such a high prevalence of both "dizziness" (It's the third most common reason for a doctor visit) and thyroid disorders (about 20 million in the U.S.) that there will undoubtedly be many patients that have a complaint of "dizziness" AND have unrelated thyroid disease. Third, the symptoms of thyroid disease are many and varied. Sometimes, the best you can do is to rule out a vestibular disorder.
Alan Desmond, Au.D is the director of Blue Ridge Hearing and Balance Clinic in Bluefield and Princeton, WV. Thieme Medical Publishers released his book Vestibular Function: Evaluation and Treatment in April 2004. He can be reached at Alan@earexperts.com