Light headed : Hello everyone! I have... - Thyroid UK

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Light headed

swtjamie profile image
11 Replies

Hello everyone! I have hypothyroidism that i was recently diagnosed with i get light headed from time to time or my head will feel heavy... i was wondering does this happen to anyone else and if it was related to my hypo? Thanks in advance

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swtjamie profile image
swtjamie
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11 Replies

It's just one of many symptoms. But we really need to see your lab results to know what's happening here. Once you have them in hand create a new post asking for feedback, along with your current dosage. We also need to know our nutrient levels: so ferritin, folate, Vit D and B12. All labs need to be first thing in the morning after fasting (water Ok) and no Levo for 24 hours prior. Our you taking your dose on an empty stomach min1 hour away from food?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

If you've been recently diagnosed, you can have different symptoms and I'll give you a link and tick off yours:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

I shall give you some hints:-

When having a blood test, make it the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levothyroxine and the test and take afterwards. This helps keep TSH at its highest as some doctors automatically reduce dose according to the TSH.

Also request your GP to test, B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. We need everything to be optimum and deficiences can also cause symptoms.

Levothyroxine should be taken with one full glass of water and don't eat for about an hour as food interferes with the uptake. We usually find first thing is best but some prefer a bedtime dose - in that case your stomach must be empty and last have eaten about 2.5 to 3 hours before and if having a blood test next a.m. miss this dose and take after a.m. test and night dose at usual time..

Always get a print-out from the surgery - we are entitled by Law - of your results and make sure the ranges are stated. You can post them if you have a query.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110

I had lightheadedness really badly it was really dodgy standing up I'd go all giddy! I had to get up very slowly and have a few seconds to let the dizziness stop before I could move again. I had very low blood pressure which I was always congratulated on 🙄 and was put down to me being very fit! It was in fact a symptom of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. I don't remember a heavy head feeling but I used to get episodes of nodding which I could just about control if I thought very hard to stop it. That is a symptom too, a quite a late one when things are getting very overt, I think.

I guess you may need more medication to reach your optimum dose, then, hopefully, all your symptoms should be alleviated.

The advice given already is far more detailed and really good!

stig5882 profile image
stig5882 in reply to TSH110

I have the same nodding symptom but never realised it as related to my hypothyroidism. Is there anything I can take to correct this?

swtjamie profile image
swtjamie in reply to stig5882

Im not sure ive always thought mine was due to my anxiety thats what the er always tells me but im not too sure thats what it is

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to stig5882

@stig5822

Not that I know of, bar adequate thyroid replacement hormone to put it right. It was one of my late symptoms. There may be a connection with low mineral and vitamin levels but it may just be that every body clock is so out of synch causing all sorts of things start to go wrong. If I find anything interesting about it I will post

StarFlower2 profile image
StarFlower2

It's important to get potassium and sodium tested. I have reoccurring dizziness and get that heavy headed feeling if my potassium is low. I too have low blood pressure and low temps. Ask to have blood draw without a tourniquet for potassium this method gives a truer reading.... also check blood sugars.

swtjamie profile image
swtjamie in reply to StarFlower2

Ok i will definitely do that, thank you so much

swtjamie profile image
swtjamie in reply to StarFlower2

Thank you so much

thyroidnodules profile image
thyroidnodules

I too get lightheaded but mine sorted out when I reduced my meds. weird how we are all different

thyroidnodules profile image
thyroidnodules

I get this from time to time but mine was because I increased my meds. I was taking a quarter grain more because I couldn't be bothered splitting the tabs. once I went back to my 1 3/4 the problem sorted itself. wont make that mistake again

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I have just got some new results back and see my tsh is going down and vit D and folate have gone up