One of my random symptoms, along with fibromyalgia, gastro issues, eyebrows falling out, and depression, has been developing tinnitus. As these all came at the same time, (after massive hospital steroid treatment), just wondered. Can you imagine how my GP reacts when I tell him I think these things are linked?
Does being Hypo give you tinnitus?: One of my... - Thyroid UK
Does being Hypo give you tinnitus?
Written by
legsgran
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
72 Replies
•
When Hypo we very often have low B12 - do you know your level ? - or supplement ?
1000 Pernicious Anaemia sufferers were asked what their most troublesome symptom was - almost 100% said tinnitus.
ooh, that's handy. Will get tested, thanks. My Mum used to have to have B12 injections, she also had terrible hypothyroid symptoms most of her life.
The symptoms of Low B12 and low thyroid have many overlapping symptoms. Perhaps your Mum had PA which is auto-immune. Do you have Hashimotos ? It is possible to have both.
Also test Folate when testing B12 as both work together in the body in an important way. Folate is B9.
Buddy195Administrator
Hi legsgran,
I had tinnitus when undermedicated- this has resolved now my thyroid medication & key vitamins ( B complex and D3/K2) are more optimal. However, I’m still missing the outer third of my eyebrows & what I do have is very thin. I’m hoping that improving my ferritin might have a positive effect on my brows, but some forum members have said that even when all levels are optimal, their brows haven’t returned to how they were.
I’ve got used to thin eyebrows now, so am not going to pencil them in or have an eyebrow weave!
Thanks! Thats good news about the tinnitus - I knew it might be connected. My eyebrows just have little teeny clumps in the middle and end now. Not going to lose any sleep over it - compared to the fibromyalgia, and massive fatigue, it's hardly a problem - luckily I don't have the current fashionable rather weird eyebrow fetish 
How did you correct your medication btw? was it more Levo, or extra T3?
I took more Levo- for me, I’m better with TSH significantly below 1. I have thyroid & vitamins checked using Medichecks, then post results on here for more experienced forum members to advise. Upping my vitamin D & B complex has really helped.
Thanks. They have upped and downed my Levo over the 17 years, but frankly I never found any of it made that much difference. Put on 3 stone since started taking it, always felt fatigued. Now much worse though.
Going Gluten Free has eased some of my symptoms- have you tried this?
Yes, but not totally. Don't eat pasta, rice.
I think you have to be 100% GF for 3 months minimum. I’ve read that simply reducing GF won’t help reduce inflammation. It’s worth the 3 month commitment to see if it works for you. I’ve been GF for 12 months & won’t go back. I did try dairy free, but didn’t really see a big impact, so am now eating dairy again.
I expect they have increased and decreased your Levo according to your TSH - which is completely wrong.
This is why it is so important to obtain your results with ranges so you can check what has been tested and more importantly what has been missed. I write on the results sheet how I am feeling - the dose - other meds and supplements. So easy to forget !
SlowDragonAdministrator
Extremely common to have low vitamin levels, especially if not on optimal dose of levothyroxine and/or if the cause of your hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
Fibromyalgia is frequently linked to low Ft3, again very common for exactly same reason
Depression is one of most common hypothyroid symptoms
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?
When was dose last increased and levels last tested?
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?
do you have any actual blood test results?
if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )
monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...
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 primary 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_...
Thanks, waiting to get my online test results for T3 etc. Am going to get my vitamins tested from GP - he is quite helpful.
Always get actual results and ranges on all tests from GP
B12 has extremely wide range. Typically 180-750...GP would say result was “fine” if it was anywhere within range
On levothyroxine we often need B12 at least over 500
B12works with folate, so important to test both
Low vitamin D and low B vitamin levels are frequently linked
Have Vit D already on prescription, 25,000 iu, one tablet per week, and levels are in the high range when tested, but not done B12. Can you recommend a good supplement please? Also getting ferretin levels tested. Also getting selenium on order from Amazon. Have got some desiccated thyroid from US, but just waiting to see t3 etc. results before going down that route. Thanks for all your advice.
First step is to get levothyroxine dose high enough
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?
Don’t start any B vitamins before GP has done tests and you have actually got results....frequently lab doesn’t run all tests thatGP requests
How low was vitamin D?
GP will only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.
ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...
But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol may be better
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/218...
vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
Test twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk
Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function. There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7
It’s trial and error what dose we need, with hashimoto’s we frequently need higher dose than average
Government recommends everyone supplement October to April
gov.uk/government/news/phe-...
Are you supplementing Magnesium?
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
livescience.com/61866-magne...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Bone pain
easy-immune-health.com/pain...
Importance of Vitamin K2 mk7
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
intechopen.com/books/cell-s...
If vitamin D is low, B vitamins may be too. As explained by Dr Gominack
drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...
In YouTube video...vitamin D at 40ng/ml (USA units) is equal to 100nmol (UK units)
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Come back with new post once you get Vitamin results
Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks
Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Low B12 symptoms
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?
High steroid dose may have affected adrenals
But first step is to get thyroid and vitamin levels optimal
Yes, massive intravenous steroids completely mashed my whole HPA axis, as freely and rather gaily admitted in the hospital (with absolutely no suggestion of how I could address it!) - all symptoms started when I weaned myself off over a year ago (took nearly 18 months!). Have been on levothyroxine for 17 years, currently 100mg - of course GP says tests "normal" but never done T3.
So you might want to consider getting cortisol and dhea tested......
regeneruslabs.com/products/...
cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...
But no point testing until levothyroxine dose is optimal and all four vitamins tested and optimal
The fact your vitamin D was so low suggests you may need increase in levothyroxine (or addition of small dose of T3 alongside levothyroxine)
But we need all ducks in row first
High enough dose levothyroxine
Optimal vitamins
Testing cortisol
Thanks.
OMG, just looked at this adrenal testing, I have every single symptom! Although is there anything you can do to help? The endriconologist said my adrenals may well have been affected, but said there was nothing much they could do about it.
Adrenals can be low if thyroid or vitamin levels are low so getting these optimal is first step
For example Vitamin D is actually not a vitamin but a pre steroid hormone.......
Once thyroid and vitamin levels are all optimal consider adrenal testing a few weeks/months later
Thanks, can't afford it now anyway. But if affected, can it be helped?
Many people find adrenals improve once Ft3 is optimal
sorry, 'weaned myself off the Prednisone'. Consultant said 'oh your hormones will all get back to normal in time. Probably' And that was it. Enderinconologist (sp) said, 'probably be ok in 18 months?' That was 18 months ago.
SlowDragonAdministrator
Also if B12 is low GP should test for pernicious anaemia
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/186...
There is a high (approx 40%) prevalence of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Traditional symptoms are not a good guide to determining presence of B12 deficiency. Screening for vitamin B12 levels should be undertaken in all hypothyroid patients, irrespective of their thyroid antibody status. Replacement of B12 leads to improvement in symptoms, although a placebo effect cannot be excluded, as a number of patients without B12 deficiency also appeared to respond to B12, administration.
Many of us seem to benefit from supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex. But get tested first before starting on any supplements
B12 deficiency & PA cause tinnitus . Autoimmune diseases bring their friends so it could be an issue if you have Hashimoto’s. I was also diagnosed with FM but treat my symptoms as hypothyroidism. Take care with your diet to avoid processed foods, especially toxic sweeteners, margarine, & anything inflammatory. Consider probiotics such as kefir & eat more prebiotic fruit & veg. Improving your gut health has general benefits. Make sure you have the right micronutrient cofactors to make your thyroid hormones work well for you. & consider trying NDT or Metavive to see if natural HRT will work better for you than T4.
do you find it has helped your Fibromyalgia? I am finding it very hard, never had any problems with joints or muscles before in my life until this year. Went to a rheumatologist and just said 'it's Fibro, here's a leaflet'. My GP thinks it's psychological
I had that approach, & was bombarded with all sorts of toxic c*** rather than simple micronutrients & thyroid hormones. GP that diagnosed FM called me a control freak because I didn’t want antidepressants & more toxic drugs. Other GP used the terms quackery & snake oil re T3 & NDT. Last endo said stop taking these (that work) & they might give me T4. 👹 🤡🤠🤡🤠🤡🤠👹 Why on earth would I chance all the horrible symptoms to get something that won’t work effectively as I can’t take T3 only for 3 seasons!
My musculoskeletal system is still a wreck from trauma, & arthritis is worsening but my FM/hypo symptoms & lots I didn’t know that were associated with hormones are so much better.
I was diagnosed with Fibro by a Consultant back in 2000 in the UK. Diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2005 in Greece. Now T3 only. I still have joint and muscle pain from time to time - usually linked to diet . I have/had Crohns for around 50 years after Gut TB.
Most conditions start with the gut .. 😎
Thanks, love to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel with this Fibro.
Having had 13 operations linked to the gut TB and Crohns - mostly with complications - Fibro was the least of my concerns. It just means painful muscles and once on your notes can be blamed on everything !
You have overcome a liver transplant so you are doing so well and still doing your best ... it is to be admired 💐
Fibromyalgia is a dustbin diagnosis....frequently symptoms are due to low Ft3
Few links about fibromyalgia
healthrising.org/blog/2019/...
thyroiduk.org/tuk/research/...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/relate...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/f...
prohealth.com/library/new-t...
chriskresser.com/low-t3-syn...
clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
Sorry to interrupt, but this caught my eye: eat more prebiotic fruit & veg. Could you possibly elaborate and tell us which fruit and veg are prebiotic? Thank you.
Anything with fibre in is good. We can’t digest it, but our good gut bacteria can. 🤗 It’s also filling. I opt for green bananas if I need to buy a snack when I’m out. Less sugar & more resistant starch to feed my tummy beasts.
Lots of free information on gut health & pre/probiotics on Chris Kresser’s website. I’d heard of kefir but only started buying then fermenting it after reading about it there.
You eat green bananas raw, just like that? I don't think I could do that! lol
Thank you for the information.
I’ve never liked them once they’re yellow, but sometimes it’s hard if they’re very green.
lol My mouth dries up at the thought of it!
Exactly! 🍌
Not so bad in a smoothie though.
I wouldn't know. I hate smoothies. I'll just settle for a reasonably firm yellow banana in a sandwich, with lots of butter, please. 
I definitely couldn’t eat a banana sandwich, even with extra butter!
Shame. It's one of life's little pleasures.
Avocado sandwich is mine. 🥑🥖
I've never tried that. I shall give it a go.
.... on toast is better with black pepper ! YUMMY !! When they are very ripe they mash so well. They also ripen more quickly when near bananas ! Now that is bananas
lol I'll remember that. Trouble is, French bread doesn't make very good toast.
I used to sprinkle it with water and briefly re-bake so that could be as good as toast. Bet you're an expert !
Yes, you can do that. But, it's not the same, is it. And, I have to say, the quality of French bread has deteriorated greatly since I first moved here.
No, no , no. All this talk of less-than-ripe bananas is unbearable!
Properly ripe but before they go too far. When they just smell a touch purple/violet but have not started to collapse.
Oh, no! That's too far gone! I cannot stand that purple/violet smell!
I never liked custard bananas, as the speckled ones where sold at greengrocers. 😬
Cold bananas in hot custard. Ugh! Wasn't an item on the menu when I was growing up. We had bananas in cream or evaporated milk. Yum!
What I used to like was cold banana custard. Usually with a nice bit of custard skin...
Vomit lol
Yuck!
That’s a school lunch nasty! 🤢
Well, it was nasty the way they cooked it! The way I cook it it's yummy!
Nice liver is a contradiction in terms!
I don’t like or eat meat, & the smell of organ meat is even worse! 🤢 I remember the smell of blood from liver soaking in milk. 🤮
Raw liver does not smell nice, that's true. And, it's so easy to be put off certain foods by early school dinner experiences. Certainly put me off mince! And swedes. Finally got thrown out of school dinners at the ripe old age of 9. Since then I've been thrown out of much better places than that! lol
Hi... for me one of my first symptoms of being hypo is a kind of low buzz n hissing in my ears...maybe its just me but its so annoying.i have hashimotos .. i get lazy n stop taking my supplements when i feel well!! Naughty i know🙈
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Hypo and Tinnitus! New sympton :(
My latest ( in an ever growing list) of symptoms is tinnitus. I'm concerned because it is in one ear
Male with hypo and Tinnitus
over 7 years with tinnitus thrown in for good measure
on 150mcg of thyroxine. Tinnitus has been...
Is there a link between being hypo and fainting?
I first tried with NDT listening to all the wonderful stories about it. I was taking it for 8-9...
Does increasing dose give you depressive symptoms or brain fog/ derealization?
Can being hypo thyroid cause breathing problems? 
Any help being hypo gratefully recieved!
Can you be hypo and hyper thyroid? 
