Testing

Testing for migraines is variable. It may depend on what we’re trying to rule out, more than actually diagnosing the migraines. Sometimes we’re trying to make sure that there’s nothing else that could be causing the headaches or head pain more than anything else. Such as strokes, tumors, blood, fluid, stuff like that in the brain. I do a variety of diagnostic testing. Some of it is very basic just to make sure there’s no problems with kidney function, thyroid function, you’re not anemic, any of those things that may not necessarily cause headaches, but it certainly is going to aggravate them or make them worse. Basic testing of the brain, including usually an MRI of the brain – usually with contrast to make sure there’s nothing obvious causing the headaches – strokes, lesions, brain tumors, things like that.