My GP surgery have been fairly good listening to me (seeing various different DR's). After feedback in late summer of 2020, and agreeing to get my TSH down towards 1 (as I still felt lousy), they prescribed me 125mcg of levo (I'm about 92kg). Then winter Covid hit and it was impossible to get a GP appointment or blood test done.
In March i paid for a blue horizon test (last levo 24 hours before) and my TSH had dropped down to 0.88 (0.27-4.20).
I carried on with increased dose but started to feel a strange pressure in my head and not too well again - brain fog etc (although to be honest i've never felt great on Levo at all) and at the same time started getting tinnitus. In September I had another Blue Horizon test and my TSH was now 0.005 (same range),
T4 = 125 (66-181)
Free T4 =19.2 ( 12-22)
Free T3 = 4.96 (3.1-6.8)
Thyroidperoidase 26 <34
Thyroglobulin H249 <115
Vit D 73 (75-200) Optimal
B12 348 (145-569)
I couldn't get a GP appointment for about 3 weeks and made the error of stopping meds in-between time . The GP then asked me to restart on 75mcg and i've been on that since although still have Tinnitus, and is now particularly bad in my right ear with a feeling of fullness and being muffled. I mentioned this to GP over the phone and he just recommended a hearing test as I may be starting to loose my hearing. The test was fine with only age related loss (48yrs). Had a follow up NHS blood test last week:
TSH level 2.94 miu/L [0.3 - 5.5]
Serum free T4 level 18.4 pmol/L [12 - 22] Information about this test
Just spoken to GP and explained that I still don't feel great - and would like to get TSH down to 1 and would they consider increasing my dose by 25mcg every other day. Also mentioned my Tinnitus again and asked if this is related to me being Hypo as it started in the summer when over medicated - he thinks i'm jumping the gun at asking for more Levo and thinks Tinnitus may be causing my brain fog. I've now an in person appointment to look in my ear, although it is clear of wax and looks healthy according to the audiologist. Could the tinnitus be related or just co-incidence, i'm not sure to push for a slightly increased dose?
Has any else experienced similar symptoms of Tinnitus when under/over medicated?
Thanks
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Boatin
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Many thanks if assumed as B12 in range it was ok I'll look at the links suggested. I didn't get folate and ferritin tested although I previously they have been in range. I've been previously been taking Biocare Vit D tabelt 4000iu as well as there nutrisorb iodine and nutrisorb selenium. I'm just about to put an order in for more Vitamin D and thinking about ordering both nutrisorbs again?
Thanks I'll take stop taking that and get a test ordered.I'll post my past blue horizon ferritin and folate results next week (I have them on my laptop at work) - I know I've previously had slightly over range ferritin on a couple of occasions as I've mentioned this to a Dr - he wasn't overly concerned and seemed to think my body fighting a cold or viral infection?!?
Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health.
Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.
Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
If serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
It was a massive drop from 125mcg to 75mcg . i think whoever did THAT was the one 'jumping the gun' ... if 125 mcg was slightly too much for you ( possibly indicated by the gradually lowering TSH ?) ......... then a slight reduction in dose would have been sensible . perhaps dropping to 125 one day / 100 the next .
So .. if it was me i would definitely not see any problem with increasing to 75/100 alternate days now.
As for the 'tinnitus causing brain fog' .... that just sounds like 'cobblers' to me.
It's perfectly well known that tinnitus is a common finding in hypo and hyper patients , and he's already been reassured there's nothing 'wrong' with your ears by someone who is a specialist .. i wonder what more the GP expecting to find out by 'looking in it' ?
Thanks tattybogle - I did think I'd read somewhere about tinnitus and being hypo. To be fair to the surgery they do tend to listen when I've asked for increased dosage even when in range - so I'll play ball for now and pitch my case when they check my ear! 😉
Thanks slow Dragon yes always have an am test and always have last tablet 24 hours before. Was originally prescribed a 75mcg Teva tablet and had to take for a couple of weeks whilst I tried to get them to change to a 25 and 50 of my usual brand - I'll try and get them to up my dose to as least another 25mcg every other day .
Absolutely linked to underactive or ‘overmedicated’ in my experience. Tinnitus, ear fullness, sinus issues, pressure headaches all pile in on me when my levels are out. I’ve had this for both underactive and when over range. I can’t tell you which causes it for me as I’m a poor converter and T3 in range but low- even when FT4 over range. But yes, yes, yes. Without a doubt. And I’ve had mine checked several times, syringed etc and been told no wax or inflammation. The thyroid is the culprit. Horrid feeling and very draining & uncomfortable.
But if meds sorted, it abates for me every single time.
Can honestly say Butterfly1942 I 100% agree with you on that as I have had everything you described (even the constant drone in the left ear) and had all the checks and scans and all clear.Also get bad teeth pain and my dentist reassures me everythings ok and talked me out of getting all my teeth removed.Definitely thyroid related I feel too!
Same here. Even paid ( through the nose) for a private brain scan as I couldn’t see why I had this & could not cope with also a strange spinning feeling in my head. Horrid feelings. But when medication gets control of the thyroid madness- gone!
I went private ENT and had a scan.Waste of money as they couldn’t find anything.I was spinning and movement made me worse.Couldnt chat to people who moved there hands as it made me dizzy.My tinnitus started in 2016 (not to mentioned all the other complaints later) one ear to start with.Look back now I’m sure it was to much Levo and poor T3 conversion.Also starting to think the Levo was the initial cause of the tinnitus.Just waiting on the meds (T3) getting a hold of mine.First day on a full 25mcg T3.Find out soon
I have same symptoms it’s just awful. I’ll keep my fingers crossed re the T3 f for you. I am the same- poor converter and am awaiting an NHS and private Endo appointment to see if they’ll prescribe. If not, I’m going to source myself. I hope your Endo has been supportive 🙏
Yessss it's Thyroid linked!!!! My f.... tinnitus started 3 years ago, TOGETHER with my thyroid issues. I had all the tests done, hearing tests, Brain scans, you name it. ALL clear. Finally, I consulted a very well known specialist in the field and he told me it's MUSCLE related. For some reason (some reason=f... Thyroid mess) the delicate balance in your head and neck muscles was broken. That leads to inner year muscles being in constant contraction, and THAT causes your tinnitus. I'm not sure if it was high TSH itself, FT4, FT3, the drop in ferritin or a mixture of all those factors. The only thing I know is that it hasn't stopped since, and probably won't either.
Hi Biotin. I have exactly the same with Tinnitus. It’s driving me mad especially at night when everything is quieter. I have had this problem for some time now but not as severe as I have now since I have been put on Levothyroxine in June this year when diagnosed with Hypo, then diagnosed 2 months ago with Hashimoto.
I have had my Feritin, B12 and so on tested and results are ok.
Not sure what to do next though as I know most GPs won’t connect Tinnitus with Hashimoto. ...
Whether relevant or not your vitamin D is too low and the GP should prescribe a supplement. Low vitamin D can mimic thyroid symptoms and make you feel unwell. Low Vitamin is very common in thyroid patients, not sure why. Not sure if it’s linked to tinnitus! But tinnitus is also common in thyroid patient. Again, not sure why! Also do experiment with different brands of Levo. My docs swapped me to another brand last month, not my normal Accord, but mercury, and I had nausea and dizziness. Back on Accord, I felt better the next day. Vitamin D is also important for your immune system to help fight covid and other winter viruses.
Many thanks - I'd run out of Vitamin D supplements but will restart when they arrive. A couple of years ago the Dr did prescribe some high dose Vit D as it had dropped down to 25, (low range was 60) and i'd mentioned that this was very low - his words where that it wasnt the lowest he'd seen,.....very helpful! But he did issue me them.
Forgot to add that I've normally been on Mercury when on 100 and then 125. When dropped to 75 was Teva as it's the only brand in that mcg. After mentioning that I don't get on with Teva they switched to 25mcg Wockhardt and 50 Mercury.
I can't recall if I've had Wockhardt before though, but I'll try and ask pharmacy if possible to have both in Mercury...🤞🏻
I am on a regular high dose of levo (175 mg daily) My blood test results show fully suppressed TSH, 0.005, way over the top on T4 but high normal T3. If I drop down just 25 mcg of levo a day (which I have tried to please doctors!), I suffer with ear problems ( tinnitus?) and when I go back up, it takes quite a while to clear. Never suffer with ear, or any other problems, when I am on full wack 175mg.
My screaming tinnitus is much more bearable (hissing squeaking rather than screaming)now T3 is high in range. Fine if I’m in a room with a bit of noise. Just not great when it’s very quiet. I would have stayed on 125 and have added in some T3. Try get referral to Endo.
I get tinnitus too, had it for years since thyroid kicked off. Never had it before but only connected the two recently. Hopefully it might settle now, trying to sort myself out privately with T3. Fingers crossed for improvement for you.
Yes I have. If for some reason my thyroid is affected by something (for example a course of corticosteroids) my right ear bungs yp with wax, reduced hearing and tinnitus - always has.
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