The role of vitamin D in subjective tinnitus—A case-control study

[helvella]

Tinnitus and Vitamin D are both frequently mentioned here. Add in the TSH and this looks very interesting.

Although I have long had tinnitus (and, as I type, it is driving me a bit bonkers), I have never noticed any obvious relationship with taking vitamin D supplements nor with levothyroxine dose.

I'll just go and take the vitamin D I didn't get from the sun today.

The role of vitamin D in subjective tinnitus—A case-control study

• Magdalena Nowaczewska ,

• Stanisław Osiński,

• Maria Marzec,

• Michał Wiciński,

• Katarzyna Bilicka,

• Wojciech Kaźmierczak

• Published: August 18, 2021

• doi.org/10.1371/journal.pon...

Abstract

Regarding the high prevalence of vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency in the population and its possible association with ear diseases, we aimed to investigate the 25(OH)Dserum level in patients with subjective, nonpulsating tinnitus and its effect on tinnitus severity. The study included 201 tinnitus patients and 99 controls. Patient clinical information, including tinnitus characteristics and severity according to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), loudness assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), audiometry, and the blood level of vitamin D, was recorded. The level of 25(OH)D in tinnitus patients was significantly decreased compared with the controls (19.86 ± 7.53 and 27.43 ± 8.85 ng/ml, respectively; P value < 0.0001). More patients in the tinnitus group were deficient in vitamin D, compared with the controls (50.7% vs. 22.2% respectively, p < 0.0001). Tinnitus patients with a lower serum level of 25(OH)D (≤15 ng/dl) were significantly younger, had a higher degree of tinnitus severity measured with THI and VAS scales, had higher triglyceride and TSH levels, and a lower HDL level compared with individuals who had higher 25(OH)D level (>15 ng/dl). There was a strong correlation between the 25(OH)D level and THI. Our findings suggest that a large proportion of tinnitus patients suffers from vitamin D deficiency and that the vitamin D level correlates with tinnitus impact. We recommend a vitamin D assessment for all tinnitus patients.

Full paper freely accessible here:

journals.plos.org/plosone/a...

[Hidden]

I’ve had permanent tinnitus for nearly 20 years and started taking Vit D about 2 years ago after advice here - no impact as far as I’m concerned

[jgelliss]

Helvella Great post as always. Thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry that your experiencing tinnitus . I have no doubt that it can be at times be very debilitating. Hearing sounds noises ringing in the airs can be very nerve racking . If vitamin "D" can be helpful with this too . It would truly be a *Blessing* in disguise .I really hope and wish Helvella that you and many others experiencing tinnitus get the relief that you desperately need from vitamin "D".

[helvella Administrator in reply to jgelliss]

It started when I was about 8 - so I have had it an awfully long time!

Changed in character over the years and worsened with hypothyroidism.

[jgelliss in reply to helvella]

Wow !!!! Helvella your suffering with tinnitus from a such a young age . That must have/is so very difficult for you. I really hope and pray that vitamin "D" is your salvation and many others that are going through this awful debilitating experiences. I can understand that being hypo thyroid in addition does not help the situation or any other situations for that matter.

Best Wishes.

[helvella Administrator in reply to jgelliss]

Honestly - I don't expect any improvement whatsoever. Am resigned to it now.

[bantam12 in reply to jgelliss]

I can't take VitD so won't help me ☹️

[jgelliss in reply to bantam12]

That's a shame . Are you allergic to vitamin "D"?

[bantam12 in reply to jgelliss]

I can't tolerate any vitamin supplements.

[jgelliss in reply to bantam12]

Do you think you can try vitamin "D" or other vitamins in a liquid or powder form and see if that would be helpful ? Sometimes it's the fillers that they add to our vitamins or thyroid meds that can be harsh on some of our systems.

[bantam12 in reply to jgelliss]

I've tried all forms over the years without success, I don't bother about levels now, ''tis what it ''tis.

[jgelliss in reply to bantam12]

How do you manage with the thyroid meds ? Or is this only with vitamins that you have this unfortunate issues with ?

I wish that something can be done for you . If we can put man on the moon and more why can't they do something for you to help you ?

[bantam12 in reply to jgelliss]

I'm fine with Levo and most other meds but I can only usually manage low doses. I personally don't believe we should all be striving for the magic top of the range numbers, we are all different so maybe some of us just have lower set points and trying to alter that causes the problems.Thanks for being concerned but I'm fine as I am 🙂

[jgelliss in reply to bantam12]

bantam12 the most important is how you personally feel that counts and nothing else. You make a *Great Point* that everyone has different *Set Points*. On our wonderful and very helpful forum I saw that most members not all do very well with high FT3 and lower FT4. Which is fine as long as that's what suits the patient.

In my case and I'm only sharing my experiences for those that are still trying very hard to find their own optimal dose that they can feel best with. I had TT years ago and can never find the right dose that I can feel my new *Optimal*. After my TT I was over dosed with T4 for suppression purposes. But neither did the dose work well for me and later I found out as well that the brand thyroid was also causing me all sorts of side affects including palpitations anxiety, insomnia etc.

I tried T3 and another time NDT for my T3 mix with a lower dose T4 . That turned out to cause me muscle/joint pain ,fatigue, hunger/weight gain, lethargy, brain fog, I was just not motivated to do anything. No matter which way I tried even as low as 1.25mcg T3 with T4 I would get the same results that my body was telling me that I did not need the added T3 for my T4 .

It was explained to me that it could be that my once healthy thyroid I might have had high FT4 /FT3 ratio and that my FT3 would be low normal . Thus when on T4 only I achieve naturally FT3 easily -adding T3 overdoses things. This was the most Helpful and most Insightful explanation that I heard in all of my thyroid journey .

I feel *Blessed*. I'm forever Grateful for this shared information with me. You know who you are . Thank You For Ever.

Listening to your own body is so important because because we where all created with our own Great Set Points that works the very Best for Us.

I hope this is helpful for others as well.

[Yeswithasmile]

I’m sorry for you both Helvella and Bantam12. As a fellow sufferer I’d be glad to try anything but as already on vitd I’ll just hope it’s not high enough yet to be of benefit.

[bantam12 in reply to Yeswithasmile]

But how do you know you need it higher ? My level being low doesn't cause me any issues.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to bantam12]

I don’t know that I do, I am just hoping that it may help as it increases. I could throw the question back at you and ask how do you know that your low level doesn’t? It must have been very frustrating for you to be sensitive to supplements. I am assuming you can’t even take the spray ones?

[bantam12 in reply to Yeswithasmile]

I don't have any symptoms of low levels but I'm certainly unwell if I try and raise it. I have tried all types including patches, my body just doesn't like it.

[Yeswithasmile in reply to bantam12]

I’m glad you don’t have low level symptoms. You will be Holland and Barrett’s worse nightmare!! And it’s not even as if you can sit in the sun at the moment the weathers so rubbish! You obviously manage it though and I’m assuming you must eat well. I was going to ask about topical ones but think patches covers that. 🤔.

[Tythrop in reply to bantam12]

When you say "unwell" what are the symptoms?

[bantam12 in reply to Tythrop]

Generally unwell and severe nausea, when I had hyperparathyroidism my Endo and surgeon agreed I should not take VitD.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to bantam12]

I thought you should never take vitamin D when hyper parathyroid anyway

[bantam12 in reply to SlowDragon]

They often give VitD as first line treatment to see if the deficiency will normalise but once it's proved not to then supplementing isn't good as calcium will just increase more.The Endo I was seeing would have prescribed loading injections but as I already knew I couldn't tolerate VitD she agreed it wasn't a wise move, my level was around 5 at the time ! My surgeon would have preferred a slightly higher level before surgery but again he accepted it wasn't going to happen.

[Tythrop in reply to bantam12]

Ta, I'm interested as Ive just upped my Armour NDT from 1.5 to 2 grains and also reduced ssri AD dose by 50%(Im Hypo with Hashi)and am experiencing some myalgia and weakness and but nothing so bad as when Grave's Hyper (that was a living hell of insomnia and feeling like I'd got a really bad virus). Hope you keep well.

[crimple]

Thanks for posting helvella. I too suffer from tinnitus, since being diagnosed hypothyroid, so I can empathise. Mine is pulsatile and has improved quite a bit since adding T3. Do you know if there is any correlation between tinnitus and vertigo?

[Hylda2]

I have tinnitus and pulsatile tinnitus on occasion. I take vitamin D and T3 but no difference

[anna-c]

Interesting read. I was hyper had Rai so now hypo and take levo. 18 months after having rai i developed tinnitis. I did have blood tests and GP said i am deficient in vit D and I need to take it all the time. Taking it but not much difference. I sympathise completely with everyone suffering from this, its awful and if I had thought having RAI would have done this I would not have had it. It drives me crazy and its hard at times to deal with it. I am thinking about homeopathy, is there anyone out there thats tried it with success.