Tinnitus

Just updating, now on 50 Levothyroxine, and still have the dreaded Tinnitus.Weight has not decreased, but not really gaining.Dog walking for an hour daily.Calories around 1800 daily.I really need to get 3 stone off , to get back to normal weight.Any suggestions welcome.

[radd]

kala32,

You have had an increase in meds but it still may not be enough to alleviate tinnitus, that may be a symptom of low thyroid hormone.

If you post recent thyroid hormone test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment. Also Vit B12, Vit D, ferratin & folate results, as all commonly low in hypothyroidism and required for good thyroid hormone synthesis.

Normal weight may be more achievable once optimal thyroid hormones & vits are obtained.

[Hidden in reply to radd]

Thank you, the receptionist at Drs informed , I only need blood tests once a year now !?.Is this correct?My Tinnitus is louder with the increased dose !.I will ask for a print out. Thank you.

[radd in reply to Hidden]

kala32,

My tinnitus came & went for ages even after I was optimally medicated. I sometimes wonder if it is related to adrenal issues, as well as low thyroid hormone or hormone adjustments as mine still returns if I overdo things or eat badly.

Thyroid meds should be adjusted and hormone levels retested every six weeks until good results are obtained, coupled with a feeling of well being, or improvement as unfortunately symptoms can lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

However, many doctors dose considering only the TSH level, regardless of any remaining symptoms, and test as little as possible so members use private testing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg is only the standard starter dose

You will need bloods retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Dose steps up in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

FT4 and FT3 are the most important results

Extremely common to have low vitamin levels. Your GP must also test Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low B12 is often linked to tinnitus

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine, but it has to be increased slowly over many months

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

As all this started after stopping smoking it's likely you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's so low vitamins are especially common

verywellhealth.com/cigarett...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply. Going to make a Dr appointment, not happy, being told only need a blood test every 12 months.

[Jeppy in reply to Hidden]

Hi re weight

For me, even though still hypo, I managed to slowly get off two stones, by means of completely gluten free and hardly any sugar, healing gut at same time and upping vitamins,

It took eight months, and obviously would have been quicker if not hypo, good luck it's frustrating I know x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jeppy]

Would totally agree on the gluten free.....so necessary for most with Hashimoto's

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Yes on starter dose blood should be checked at maximum of 3 months after each increase

NICE recommend 4 weeks, which patients find is too soon

6-8 weeks generally best

Any one recently stopped smoking should have thyroid tested more frequently too

[mysticalmoooo]

Hi, tinnitus was the first of my symptoms which cleared up when I was given B12 loading doses last year, and also the first to come back when my GP stopped my injections six months later. Long story short, I now SI alternate days and the silence is wonderful.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...