Hashimotos: Constant dizzy/ feint feeling

[Piks78]

Hello

First post!

Diagnosed with Hashimotos 4 years ago. It has been relatively controlled to date, 50mg two days a week, 100 the rest.

The last few months I’ve felt awful, very anxious, tired etc but the worst thing is the dizzy feeling, a pressure right at the top of my nose like I’m going to have a big nose bleed/ going to pass out. I do have low blood pressure but doctors don’t think it’s low enough to treat and I suspect it’s probably linked to my thyroid. Anyone else had this? Not quite sure where to go from here. I’ve been reading on here that I might need to increase my ferritin but also that mercury pharma levothyroxine can sometimes make you feel like you have a bad sinus problem.

Latest Results:

TSH: 0.43

Free Thyroxine: 22.7

Iron: 17.1

Ferritin: 50

Red cell count: 3.78 (this is low)

[greygoose]

Sorry, but we need the ranges to make any sense of those results.

[Piks78 in reply to greygoose]

sorry Ranges below:

TSH: 0.43 (0.27 - 4.2)

Free Thyroxine: 22.7 (12.0 - 22)

Iron: 17.1 (6.6 - 26)

Ferritin: 50 (13-150)

Red cell count: 3.78 (this is low) (3.95 - 5.15)

[greygoose in reply to Piks78]

OK, so your FT4 is over-range, slightly. But, you really need your FT3 tested to see how well you convert T4 to T3. It could be that you don't convert very well, and that would account for your symptoms.

[Tasker]

Hello. The following is purely based on my own experience so I can't say if it's medically accurate, but it's what seems to apply in my case ...

For me, feeling a bit faint/woozy and having an ache at the top of my nose seems to be associated with adrenal fatigue and electrolyte imbalance. I believe those two can be linked as I think the adrenals need the right levels of electrolytes to function well.

I'm hypothyroid and on levo, and saliva tests also showed low cortisol. I started taking adrenal cocktails and later changed to using Adrenavive II, and I also take electrolyte capsules (Saltsticks brand). It's been trial and error to see what works and in what quantity, but these have definitely reduced the woozy moments and the sinus type headaches, and also help me feel calmer and less anxious (tho too much Adrenavive gives me a different sort of anxious feeling; I've had to learn to pay close attention to what my body is trying to tell me). Electrolyte levels can I think also affect blood pressure.

Might it be worth seeing what your cortisol levels are as a first step?

[Foxtrot89 in reply to Tasker]

Great answer! I was looking at the Saltsticks tablets. How many do you take a day?

Do you have a set “dose” or do you just wait until you feel a bit dodgy then take one?

[Tasker in reply to Foxtrot89]

Hi Foxtrot. I take 1-3 Saltsticks a day. I take one Adrenavive II first thing in the morning, and another at or just after lunch, and always take a Saltsticks with the second Adrenavive. I often take a second Saltsticks at some point, earlier or later, based on how I'm feeling and what my activity levels are that day. On rare occasions I'll take a third one. I started using them because of the inconvenience of taking the ingredients of an adrenal cocktail with me when travelling for work etc! So much easier to have the capsules in my handbag, and because they contain a balance of electrolytes, not just salt, I'm hoping that helps too.

Today I went on a walk with a friend, the longest walk I've done in over a year, and when we finished (at lunchtime) I was feeling distinctly woozy. Two Saltsticks and an Adrenavive II were my answer! And lunch, of course 😀.

It does seem to be a juggling act between adrenal support, thyroid hormone, and electrolytes, and I know for me there's other factors too, related to PCOS. But I notice within a few hours if I don't take those things that I believe help my adrenals.

Sorry, long reply! Hope it helps though.

[Tasker in reply to Tasker]

Should also say, I have a home blood pressure monitor to keep an eye on that - my dad has low blood pressure and my mum has high blood pressure so I'm liable for problems in that department in the future, one way or the other, I expect!

[Foxtrot89 in reply to Tasker]

Don’t apologise that was really helpful! Actually I hadn’t heard of Adrenavive II but just looked it up. So it’s basically a brand name of Adrenal Cortex at just over 100mg a serving yeah?

I take Thorne’s adrenal cortex 50mg but only ever now and then. I was wondering how people dosed their Adrenal Cortex, whether it was a set amount or just judging on how they feel the need for it at certain times (which is what I do at the mo). I’m still unsure how best to take it, but great to hear your experience of it and the Saltsticks.

I found that having too much magnesium and too much water made me feel odd (weak and anxious). Bit of salt and I felt better!

I too measure my blood pressure as I take some things which can lower blood pressure (L-theanine and olive leaf separately) so have to cut back on those when it gets borderline low. Bit frustrating as L-theanine really helps me!

[Tasker in reply to Foxtrot89]

It's a real juggling act, isn't it?! Makes me realize what an amazing job my body was doing when it worked properly!!

[Foxtrot89]

I’m not on levothyroxine so can’t account for whether it’s a side effect of that but since you mention low blood pressure I agree with the comment above.

Probably due to slightly lowered adrenal function I have borderline low blood pressure and find that having 1/4tsp of Himalayan salt dissolved in 250ml of water morning and lunch time helps me a lot! I have other drinks too but ensure I have those 2 if I’m drinking about 2 litres of fluids in total that day.

I find that if I drink too much plain water I feel worse, and wee a lot instead of getting more hydrated, so then I’ll just make an extra salt drink if needed. When I have the salt I retain more water and feel better.

I do believe from my limited knowledge that correcting your thyroid without addressing any adrenal issues can actually make the adrenal issues worse as they’re then trying even harder to keep up with the function of the thyroid.

[Piks78 in reply to Foxtrot89]

Thanks for the advise everyone. Im definitely going to find out my t3 and my adrenal levels. In the meantime I’ve been reading about how important it is to balance out your blood sugar levels so I’m giving this a go. Am hoping one of these approaches work as my gp thinks I’m making it up!

[Debrawells1234]

Hi,

I’m new to this sight and came across your post. I have very similar symptoms with lightheadedness/wooziness along with pressure on the top of my nose. I’m super tired and also have back and neck pain. This all happened at once back in November when I woke up with vertigo. I haven’t felt the same since. I’m 49 and my period also stopped for 4 months after the vertigo. My iron is low 11. I’m taking iron, B12, magnesium, fish oil, magnesium for the last few weeks. Perimenapause? Hashimoto? Just trying to figure this all out and get back to normal.

Going to get my thyroid tested next week.