Ataxia

[yachtieman]

Confirmed hypothyroidism, on thyroxine 75 mcg o.mane. Slow, steady increase in ataxia and now dysarthria. I have heard of some connection between hypothyroidism and cerebella antibodies. More info please.

[humanbean]

You might have low B12 - that increases your risk of ataxia.

In order to make the most of your B12 you also need good levels of folate.

It would be worth getting the above two nutrients tested and treat yourself if your levels are low. Ask for advice on the results and possible supplements.

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Another problem causing ataxia is gluten intolerance and/or coeliac disease, both of which can damage the cerebellum.

You could try giving up gluten 100% for three months just as an experiment. If you get benefits from doing so then keep it up, but if you don't get any benefits then start eating gluten again and see whether or not that makes your symptoms worse again. If it does then going gluten-free and staying that way is your only choice.

There are tests for coeliac disease which are only accurate while someone continues to eat gluten. There are no tests for gluten-intolerance, so experimentation is your only option for that.

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There are quite a lot of other causes of ataxia :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataxia

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Another possible cause of ataxia is this condition which is most prevalent in older people, but it is also possible to be born with it and to be mostly unaffected for the first few decades of life.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norma...

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I don't know anything about dysarthria.

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Having thyroid disease can affect balance and cause staggering in some people with thyroid disease. I don't know how common it is.

[Sleepman in reply to humanbean]

I am newish to all this but humanbean posts is really good!

I am gluten intolerant but showed nothing on Coeliac bloods. Gluten affects me with brain fog/ fatigue/ numbness/ etc. for several days.

It is all or nothing with gluten.

This post helped me.

Leaky Gut Test - Lymphoid Hyperplasia

There is a centre in Sheffield that can test. They talk of months to recover fully after having gluten.

Hopefully more people comment. @waveylines

I will google dysarthria too.

Good luck

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How long have you been on just 75mcg levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

ALWAYS test thyroid levels each morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test ……only drink water between waking and test….take the day’s levothyroxine immediately after test

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 regularly and maintain OPTIMAL levels

Have you had TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease 

[CoeliacMum1]

I second what humanbean says

I’m coeliac and I have Hashimoto’s and pernicious anaemia (B12 injections every 12wks) I had neurological not digestive symptoms although very deficient in nutrients and have absorption problems still decade on… I can’t get all from an excellent diet so need to supplement.

I think I’d ask GP for advice if already explored Gluten and nutritional deficiencies and ask to see a neurologists, if not already.