Dizziness from Levothyroxine : Hi I’ve been... - Thyroid UK

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Dizziness from Levothyroxine

Mandica profile image
12 Replies

Hi

I’ve been taking levo thyroxine for around 20 years - suddenly this is now making me feel dizzy and very strange - I’m on 100mg but even dropping to 25mg is making me feel strange almost like I’m drunk - has anyone had this experience - I will book in with a private endo and get blood work done but it’s very worrying.

thanks in advance for any suggestions or help.

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Mandica profile image
Mandica
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12 Replies
Titaniumfox profile image
Titaniumfox

Sorry to hear that, but I guess the first question to ask is, are you sure it's the Levo causing the dizziness? Could it be something else?

Mandica profile image
Mandica in reply to Titaniumfox

Hi - thank you for your reply - actually reading another thread on health unlocked has raised my awareness of high iron levels - I know I have high iron levels and I have continued to take multivitamins 😬 I need to stop 🛑 I’m sure it’s this that is making me sensitive to levothyroxine.

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Mandica, Although dizziness can be related to thyroid hormone levels, both too much or too little, it can also be a symptom of something else, such as Ménière's disease for example. nhs.uk/conditions/menieres-... Rather than trying to guess what's causing your problem, it makes sense to consult your GP.

Mandica profile image
Mandica in reply to RedApple

Thank you for your reply - I have sort of looked into this as 4 years ago I suffered with dizziness for 2 years - eventually I was taken off Armour medication and put onto levothyroxine 100mg - but I now think it’s in relation to high iron levels. But thank you - I need to see a doctor to get this checked out again 👍

Rennixon profile image
Rennixon

Hi there, I have been taking levo for the same amount of years. I’m 57 and menopausal. So I’m not sure if this will apply to you.

NB - I test all my thyroid levels every 4-6 months and they stayed on track.

I started having dizzy spells about 4 yrs ago. These got worse and more frequent as time went on. I would feel dizzy, disoriented, nauseous and anxious. I won’t go into detail about what happened, but last year the dizziness came to a head when I was driving to work, and I had to be rescued by my husband. I also got tinnitus at this time.

I sort help from my GP and was referred to ENT & eventually was diagnosed with Vestibular Migraine.

I underwent balance tests and am now undergoing vestibular rehabilitation.

Vestibular problems are common, and I would mention it to your GP if you think this is what is happening to you.

I hope this helped, if you need more info let me know.

Lx

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Rennixon

Mandica, here's some info about vestibular migraine (mentioned by Rennixon) vestibularmigraine.co.uk/

Mandica profile image
Mandica in reply to Rennixon

Thank you for your response - I’m so sorry you sound like you have had a terrible experience. Like you I’m 57 and feel I have gone through the menopause. My doctor 6 years ago put my dizziness down to the menopause after exploring all other avenues such as referral to ENT etc… Eventually I was prescribed HTR.. I was like a new woman - dizziness stopped I was able to exercise more and felt great - but then had to come off HRT because a lump appeared in my breast. The dizziness stopped as I came off Armour meds and back on to levothyroxine. The whole time I’ve been taking multivitamins and I now think it’s due to my iron levels which were quite high last year.. thank you again for your response and I do hope you are feeling better .

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

Yes I have had exactly the same, but because the dose is much to low. It sounds like you need more T3 in your body. Maybe it's something else. I felt dizzy and very weird when the new batches of Thyroid s stopping working.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Only test thyroid levels after minimum of 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose and brand of levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually

When were these last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Low B12 is extremely common on levothyroxine, especially if not on high enough dose levothyroxine

Low B12 can cause sensation of walking on rocking boat/feeling drunk

Low B12 symptoms 

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Just Thyroid includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£49

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Mandica profile image
Mandica in reply to SlowDragon

Hi thank you so much for your suggestions - such a wealth of knowledge on this site- your absolutely right I need all blood work doing again - my problem is my doctor isn’t thyroid friendly - he has stated that the labs do not test for T3 - and he doesn’t need this test any way all the info he need is from TSH 😬 - (I know don’t even get me started).. my TSH is in the upper level and I know my doctor will knock my medication down without looking into other levels. I’ve got a private endo with a long waiting list and even he’s not that great but at lease he insists on a well woman blood test from a private company. I think I need to make an appointment. Thank you so much for all your help and advice. 😊

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Mandica

If TSH is high you need dose INCREASE

Thousands of U.K. members get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done privately

See examples here

Medichecks results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Monitor My Health results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Come back with new post once you get results

Members can advise on next steps

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of thyroid specialist endocrinologists and doctors

tukadmin@thyroiduk.org

celticlady profile image
celticlady

I've had this for ages,worse if I have a virus /allergy. I'm 66, past menopause -didnt have dizziness around that time but kicked in after thyroid diagnosis. I read that low oestrogen can cause light headed Ness hence hrt stopping yours. Will be sending off for vit analysis etc as only had TSH levels checked. Must be hormonal but really frustrating as with me it can bring on panic feelings. Let us all know any updates and sending best wishes for a positive outcome!

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