BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid and parathyroid functions as a cause of sudden onset dizziness (SOD) in patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department (ED).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted prospectively in 100 patients with sudden onset dizziness (SOD) admitted to the ED. Neurologic, ear-nose-throat, detailed neck examinations, serum calcium levels, thyroid function tests (TFT), and parathormone and thyroid ultrasounds were performed on all patients in our study.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven (37%) females and 63 (63%) males were included in this study. Four patients (4%) had elevated serum TSH levels, 6 (6%) had decreased serum fT3 levels, 10 (10%) had decreased serum fT4 levels, 2 (2%) had elevated serum fT4 levels, and 2 (2%) had elevated serum parathormone levels. In 4 (4%) patients, the serum calcium levels were lower than normal, and 2 (50%) of these patients had symptomatic hypocalcemia. Thyroid ultrasound examinations showed multinodular goiter in 28 (28%) patients, 2 (2%) patients had thyroiditis, 12 (12%) had an isolated unilateral nodule, and 58 (58%) had normal thyroid tissues.

CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that detailed neck examination, TFT, and thyroid ultrasound examination should be considered in the diagnostic algorithms of SOD to provide rapid diagnosis and proper treatment for a patient in the ED.

Keywords: Calcium - blood, Dizziness - etiology, Parathyroid Diseases - complications, Parathyroid Glands - ultrasonography, Parathyroid Hormone - blood, Thyroid Diseases - complications, Thyroid Gland - ultrasonography, Thyrotropin - blood, Thyroxine - blood, Triiodothyronine - blood, young adult