tinnitus and hypothyroidism

[Koola]

Has anybody gotten tinnitus after RAI? Over the years, mine started mildly, disappeared, returned and now it's very loud. I've recently upped my dose of Tirosint from 75 to 88 mcg, thanks to great advice I got here. Is that a cause and it will pass? Could it be due to a vitamin deficiency? Anxiously hoping for advice. On top of all the other symptoms --exhaustion (which has improved), bloated belly and arthritic pains (worse), it's getting to be too much! Thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Frequently linked to low B12

Very common if inadequately treated for hypothyroidism

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

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 with Graves’ disease

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or half of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

As you have Graves (and arthritis) are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms,

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

Arthritis and gluten intolerance

arthritis.org/health-wellne...

[Koola in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, I added a PS : "Just found posts on this subject. Vitamin B deficiency seems prime culprit. I take a combo of Vit, B1 + B6 + B12. I get Vitamin D through sun exposure (a lot of it in Greece). I also take Folacin, Iron & vitamin C."

Is my Vit. B combo Okay?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Koola]

We recommend supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex that contains all B vitamins

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...

You wouldn’t need separate folic acid then

You can still be vitamin D deficient...even in Greece

Suggest you get tested

Iron must be tested very regularly if supplementing. Iron is extremely toxic if you have too much

[Koola in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for answer. Could too much Iron cause tinnitus and fatigue?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Koola]

Get tested

Come back with new post once you get results

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[Koola in reply to SlowDragon]

Tx SlowDragon. will test vitamins soon and post. I'll wait for Thyroid, since you recently advised me to up my intake. Have a pleasant weekend!