Blood levels of glucose and insulin in Meniere's disease.

It has been reported that a very commonly overlooked cause of vertigo is disorder of glucose metabolism. This may not be reflected in the glucose tolerance test alone, but becomes obvious when the insulin levels in blood are evaluated simultaneously. Thirty-one patients with Meniere's disease underwent a 5-hour glucose tolerance test with radioimmune assay of insulin. The results were compared with the normal and abnormal patterns suggested by Kraft. On this basis, it was found that 67.7% of our patients showed some abnormality in the relationship between the blood levels of glucose and insulin. These patients were put on a special diet with a limited carbohydrated content prescribed by a qualified dietitian. The effect of this diet was highly variable and the possible reasons for this are also discussed.