I'm so dizzy my head is spinning...: What is the... - Thyroid UK

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I'm so dizzy my head is spinning...

Rapunzel profile image
20 Replies

What is the matter with me ? Just come back from a lovely trip to Vienna. Walked miles around palaces and art galleries, made my knees a bit sore and was exhausted at the end of each day. Now here I am a day back in Blighty feeling like I'm still aboard a plane or a ship; a bit like being squiffy but not so much fun.

Had a Blue Horizon panel done last month and stopped B12 as I was over range High - 732 ( Deficient <140 pmol/L Insufficient 140 - 250 Consider reducing dose >725 ) Is it that ?

Any ideas gratefully received

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Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Rapunzel,

High B12 won't make you feel squiffy. You may have an ear infection affecting your balance. Not uncommon after flying.

sonship_quality1029 profile image
sonship_quality1029 in reply toClutter

Rapunzel, I know this is off the subject. So that's why my ear hurt after flying both times. Thanks for the info. I didn't have a clue. I haven't flown since. The pain was excruciating.

Polaris profile image
Polaris

Dizziness is just one of the symptoms of low B12 and you can't overdose Rapunzel - more likely you need more after all the energy you've used up walking around Vienna 🤗.

This latest BMJ research document has a useful summary and important information for GPs re. blood tests - bottom of page 4 under 'How is response to treatment assessed':

"Cobalamin and holotranscobalamin levels are not helpful because they increase with vitamin B12 influx regardless of the effectiveness of treatment,24 and retesting is not usually required."

cmim.org/pdf2014/funcion.ph...

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel in reply toPolaris

Thanks so much for taking the time. Sitting here sucking a Jarrows B12 and hoping this will pass.

Polaris profile image
Polaris in reply toRapunzel

👍

It's a question that comes up on the PAS site from time to time:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

Numberone1 profile image
Numberone1

I kept getting a vertigo swimmy feeling intermittently since New Year and was on the point of going to the gp about it, but at the same time thinking I didn't want all sort of procedures to diagnose nothing. I've just been to North America and immediately I got off the plane I didn't once get the feeling. I think it most definitely was an ear thing and the flying cured it. Equally it can make you have that problem which you clearly have. My friend has had it and it lasted a few days. It something to do with some crystals in your ears that move to another part. Look it up. There's a couple of exercises you can do to put the crystals back where they're meant to be. Good luck. Nothing worst than feeling off balance.

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel

Nothing worst than feeling off balance.

No, it sucks. Comes and goes but like much of this condition, I'm apt to try to shake it off, put my head down and grit my teeth...

It's the crystals, man ! Heard that number before... Thanks for the heads up. This is a useful link for anyone feeling similar dizziness michiganear.com/bppv-fact-s...

Flat shoes for me this week...well most weeks really :)

Numberone1 profile image
Numberone1 in reply toRapunzel

I found that taking antihistamines helped it too. It was clearly the airplane ride that cured it though. Back on that plane for you I think!

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious

I've had Vertigo or Viral Labyrinthitus twice. It's also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. It happens when the crystals in your inner ear that control balance move out of place. Some people go to a specialist to have them moved into place through moving your head in a specific way. It does sound odd I know. I believe hypothyroidism is a cause.

One episode lasted two weeks the other 5 weeks. I think both occurred when I was run down, stressed and undermedicated. It often goes away by itself. I'm not sure if you're experiencing the same thing but I thought I'd give my experience. I was constantly dizzy and only felt comfortable lying down. Hope you get well soon.

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel in reply toSerendipitious

Thanks so much for taking the time and for your good wishes. I do think that this is something to do with being hypo.

My Ma used to get really debilitating episodes of what her doctor claimed was Ménière's disease; she had a thyroid problem but I think with the benefit of hindsight it was discovered too late and by then was the least of her problems, poor love. She couldn't stand at all during these periods and I recall her crawling to the loo on all fours. Should be rejoicing I'm upright, really.

I feel a little better today and am managing to get some work done but it's just another irritation I could do without. Polaris has me back on the B12 supplementation, reassured that I can't OD. Speaking engagement I can't duck on Friday...at least I have a lectern to hold on to :)

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious in reply toRapunzel

Yes somebody I knew also has Ménière's disease. However I didn't make the thyroid connection back then otherwise I would have tried to help her or atleast inform her about getting her thyroid checked.

I have heard that there is a maternal connection to thyroid disease which could explain why your mother and now you have thyroid issues. It's regrettable that your mother wasn't able to treat her thyroid problems. However the plus side is your awareness will hopefully enable you to resolve this. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

I sincerely hope it isn't this:

What is Mal de Debarquement Syndrome?

Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (or MdDS) is an imbalance or rocking/swaying sensation often both “felt” and “seen” by the sufferer that occurs after exposure to motion (most commonly after a sea cruise or a flight). Although other forms of travel have been known to trigger it.

After alighting or “debarking” (debarquement) the traveller continues to feel “all at sea”, unable to get their land legs back. Although most travellers can identify with this feeling and do actually experience it temporarily after disembarking, unfortunately in the case of MdDS sufferers it can persist for many weeks, months, even years afterwards.

mdds.org.uk/

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel in reply tohelvella

Just got to be said in an Inspector Clouseau kinda way, n'est-ce pas ? :)

Will having said complaint mean I can ride on one of those annoying bleeping golf carts at airports ? Bring it...

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toRapunzel

Mais certainement.

Jose651 profile image
Jose651 in reply toRapunzel

Hi Rap,

Hopefully the dizziness will lessen daily. Loads of infections float around in a aircraft cabin.

See your GP if it gets any worse in a few days.

Take care. XxX

J 🍀

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel in reply toJose651

Hey Jose

The thought of having to see that MoFo is not one I'd relish. 🙄 I've already got to go for a repeat blood test in April because my T3 was 0.1 over nhs lab range - it's fine on Blue Horizon's range and I know who I'd rather trust...never mind I can have another vacutainer sent off to them at the same time when they draw my blood for their retest and check out my CRP which remains over range - think I have knee and/or hip problems 😩

Lucky to be on a plane, innit tho ? 😘

Jose651 profile image
Jose651 in reply toRapunzel

True Rap,

And to see Venice. 😎. It is a truly amazing City.

I had to go for repeat bloods yesterday. & repeat urine test. Protein showing, kidneys EF low at 50, and Potassium a bit over.

There's inflammation somewhere there with you R but of course you know that.

0.1 over range shouldn't warrant a repeat test, should it? 🙊

But I suppose we should be thankful that they include it in testing.

J 😘

blondpalomino profile image
blondpalomino

Hi,

I have suffered many times with ear problems,especially after flying. Fortunately it is usually when I come home, and I can get dizziness and terrible earache for weeks afterwards.

The year before last I had dizziness and head spinning constantly for a couple of months,the doctor thought it was an inner ear virus, and there was nothing to be done for it.Eventually it just went away again.

Rapunzel profile image
Rapunzel in reply toblondpalomino

That's the bit I have trouble accepting - that it's so random. I hope that if your holiday involves a plane journey this year, the flight is uneventful and there are no resultant dizzy spells. 😎

Peachykeen1 profile image
Peachykeen1

I am dizzy , And light headed I immediately blamed my Levo med increase!

But I saw a Nurse, who says though the dr couldn’t see anything wrong with my ear, there were some bubbles under my ear tube, so she suspects they are brewing up and down, causing symptoms of labrinthitis , she says to use Nose drops, and gently soak ear in a little warm olive oil. I’ve also got some steroid nose drops if that doesn’t help. I pick them up in a bit.

I woke with a clogged nose and feel like my ears blocked, so maybe she’s right, going to hurry and get that spray, I hate this dizziness x

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