Thyroid and Ringing Ears

[Hugoo]

Hi

I would like to ask if constant ringing in one ear could be yet one more symptom of thyroid dysfunction. I am originally Hyperthyroid due to Nodules overproducing and I take Carbimazole 5mg Monday and Friday 2.5 mg Wednesday. Now aiming for 5mg twice a week.

Latest results from a week ago

TSH 2.48. ( 0.35-5.00) mu/L

T4 11.2 ( 7.00-20.00)pmol/L

T3. 4.9 (3.80-6.70) pmol/L

I am reducing to small dose of Carbimazole to see if T4 goes up again hence proving further treatment needed like RAI eventually.

Thank you and Good Wishes

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Tinnitus / ear ringing is often said to be associated with being hypothyroid. Your levels are lower end but not under range so raising them by reducing dose is next step. Gradually is better in my opinion. Could 2.5 alternate days give a more consistent treatment? Retest in 6 - 8 weeks to re evaluate.

[Hugoo in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you PurpleNails that is a very good plan that I am going to try.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Extremely common to have low vitamin levels when hypothyroid

Low B12 often linked to tinnitus

[Hugoo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much Slow Dragon. I am vegetarian so this could be linked.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hugoo]

Presumably you always supplement B12 and/or vitamin B complex daily?

If not you are likely very low in B12

Important to regularly retest B12, iron and ferritin when vegetarian

academic.oup.com/nutritionr...

The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency. Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

irondisorders.org/Websites/...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.

Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones

[Hugoo in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for this. No Im not supplementing so this will be my next step. Have done an e consult to ask for iron and B12 blood test.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hugoo]

Also folate and vitamin D

B12 and folate work together. They should always be test together

[helvella]

Monaural tinnitus is somewhat less likely to be B12 or thyroid - though it still could be.

Under normal circumstances, someone should be checking for all the possibilities such as nerve compression. However, I do understand that might be somewhat less readily available. But do speak to your GP and/or consultant.

[Hugoo in reply to helvella]

Yes difficult times and I always worry I will be seen as a nuisance Thank you

[witchiegirl]

Tinnitus could be a symptom. My hearing deteriorated in the decade I was trying to get treatment. I now have tinnitus and a permanent moderate hearing loss.

[Hugoo in reply to witchiegirl]

Thank you

[Hugoo]

Hello Ling I am diagnosed Hyperthyroid with Nodules not Graves.

[witchiegirl]

Hypo. I have Hashi’s and several other autoimmune conditions.

[witchiegirl]

I don’t know for sure but it’s very likely. Interrogation over?!

[Angel20]

If only one ear is affected you must have it checked out, need a brain scan to eliminate anything wrong, I had this problem with one ear, the doctor insisted I have a brain scan which I did all is ok. Acupuncture helps.

[Hugoo in reply to Angel20]

Thank you. Have been referred to ENT and actually have had two sessions of acupuncture which is ongoing. Did your ringing just go away or does it still reappear?

[Angel20]

I went to ENT had the tests, nothing they could do, so my next step was acupuncture for one year once a week, it went away.

[Hugoo in reply to Angel20]

Oh my ! Hopefully the same for me.I feel lucky I can afford to do this.

Thank you for replying. I do hope this awful ringing goes .

[Angel20 in reply to Hugoo]

Also if it is bad for now, at night put white noice in your bedroom, from your iphone, go to Youtube there is plenty there, it will mask the noise in your head, its very helpful. This is what I did initially, now all is ok.

[Hugoo in reply to Angel20]

Thank you