Thyroid test is a simple invasive blood test that determines the level of thyroid hormones in the body. This test is conducted to check for the abnormalities in the thyroid gland’s hormone production. An uncertain elevation (hyperthyroidism) or reduction (hypothyroidism) may be the cause of dizziness or vertigo. A one time blood sample is taken of the patient and is tested for the adequacy of the levels of thyroid hormones.

Patients also experience lightheadedness in which they feel like they are going to pass out. Such dizziness can be caused by low blood pressure. Common blood pressure test is a non-invasive procedure which is evaluated by measuring the pulse rate of the patient. The blood pressure might be tested multiple times at an interval of few days to check for any abnormalities. Sugar level of the patient can be tested through a simple invasive blood test. A sudden rise or fall in the sugar level can also be the cause of dizziness.

Tilt table test is a very simple and non-invasive information test which is conducted to identify the cause of common dizziness or lightheadedness in otherwise healthy patients. The patient is placed on a table with a foot support. The test may start with the tilt-table in a horizontal position, tilted to a complete vertical position. Postural hypotension is a very common cause of lightheadedness in patients. The test examines the symptoms of this disorder by monitoring the patient’s pulse and blood pressure.

ECG is a non-invasive test which is used to evaluate the electrical activity of heart. The ECG leads are attached to the patient’s body on six predefined positions on the chest. Some gel is also applied to allow the electrical impulses of the heart to be easily transmitted. It is a painless procedure which usually takes about five minutes. Dizziness may occur due to abnormal rate and rhythm of the heart.

Patients often experience a spinning sensation associated with weakness which is worsened while changing the position. This type of dizziness is called vertigo. In such a case, a thorough physical examination may help in identifying the cause. Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan is also conducted for a neurological examination of the brain. The patient is made to lie down on a movable bed which is inserted into a giant circular magnet. The MRI scan is a non-invasive procedure that produces a faint image of the brain captured by the scanner and processed by a computer. This detailed imaging helps in identifying any kind of trauma, bleeding, or even the slightest change in the structure of the brain which might have been the cause of dizziness.

Dizziness can be caused due to a decrease in blood supply to the brain. CBC is a simple invasive test to check the count of white blood cells and the richness in red blood cells. The test is conducted to diagnose the patients for anemia or any other infection which may have caused the problem. A blood sample of the patient is taken in a single visit, but the results usually take up to 2 days.

A tailored physical examination is conducted with respect to the patient’s medical history. For example, a patient with shortness of breath and cough may require close examination of heart and lungs to identify the cause of this symptom. Examining the orthostatic signs refers to the evaluation of fluid status of the body by taking the patient’s blood pressure and pulse rate both when standing and lying down. This is a simple examination conducted by a medical practitioner which can direct towards further diagnostic procedure. It may include a series of questions to understand the patient’s medical history which usually does not require multiple visits. The patient is not required to be kept under observation.