lightheadedness/dizziness

[cindybee]

Hello,
I've recently been diagnosed with menopause.  I'm 49 years old and my FSH levels were high, so my doctor diagnosed menopause.  I've had symptoms of missed periods, fatigue, tingling,palpitations, lightheadedness.  All symptoms have decreased a lot, other than fatigue and lightheadedness.  The fatigue comes and goes, but the lightheadedness is daily and I have these lightheadedness/dizzy spells every day, throughout the day.  Should I be concerned or is this normal with menopause.  I did have my thyroid checked (4 times) and it was normal, although 2 times my TSH was slightly high, 5.39 - 5.41.
The lightheadedness/dizzy spells are very quick, short 1-second in duration, but I have many throughout the day.

[kritikia66]

Hi Sue,

I had to respond to  your post. I had my TSH checked and it's 2.84. My Free T4 is 0.9 and my T3, Total is 79.  My Dr. says these are all normal and refuses to refer me to and Endo or to get me on thyroid meds even though I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Do you have any insight into these numbers and any idea on how I should proceed?  

[florida froggy]

I noticed you had hair loss - if I wasn't losing so much hair, I'd pull mine out.  I'm haing great anxiety about hair loss.  You said that you were treated for this, but what was your treatment I'm curious??

My thyroid antibodies came back high, but thyroglobulin 6.1 considered "normal".  

[blondee028]

You should have yr thyroid antiglobluins and yr TPO checked.  If your levels are high you could have Hashimotos disease. You can't just go by your tsh level. more important you need your Free T4 .  Also sometimes you could have hair fallout and not realize it.  I know , it happened to me . I actually thought the hair that was in my hairbrush was normal..After being diagnosed and treated there was No hair in my brush anymore.

[lwflwf2000]

Try this - http://menoaid.net/?great  - should help you.

[hashisgirl]

My Endo considers anything above 5 hypothyroid...5 is low end of normal, and could very well be causing many of your symptoms. I would ask for a referral to an endo , and make sure you don't have an autoimmune thyroid disease or simply low thyroid.

[joan1957]

I think I am following you from forum to forum.  I have seen your post before, but I can understand your desperation in finding solutions to this dizziness/lightheadedness.  I too have the same symptoms.  It makes it unbearable getting through the day. Especially sitting in front of a computer which I do all day ... It is my job.  I have been told this is caused by peri-menopausal hormonal fluctuations.  The fluctuating estogren causes constriction of the blood vessels in your head/brain, including inner ear or what is called your vestibular system.  I am told by an otoneurologist that it is called vestibular migraine.  But I too am looking for natural solutions to help me get through the day.  I also have hot flashes, trouble sleeping, anxiety ... but my most troublesome symptom is definately the dizziness.  It is interferring with my work.  If anyone has any help ... I would greatly appreciate it.
I hear/see alot of discussions about how to deal with hot flashes, night sweats, and the more common symptoms of menopause but not much about this dizziness.  Is it uncommon?

[Suett]

Hi,

My TSH was 2.9 and I had all your symptoms and I am 52 with a FSH 5.1(nowhere close to menapause).

All my symptoms went away with thyroid meds and B12(methylcobalabin).

Sounds like your TSH is too high . .what was  your Free T3 and Free T4.? Lots of people feel much better when they are high normal.

Best, Sue

[heart2heart]

Cindy, the lightheadness/dizziness may be due to something else other than menopause. If you've had a blood test and all was normal and you are not anemic than maybe you should check with a ENT or neurologist?   I had brief dizzy spells and it turned out to be ear rocks!  Yep, ear rocks, also known as otoliths are a common cause of dizziness and there are specific exercises to relieve symptoms. But first you have to be dx'd -usually by a ENT.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

While it is probably fine and just some palpitations of your heart associated with menopause, there are some significant problems that cause the same feelings. Talk with you doctor and see if you need an EKG or a halter monitor to measure your heart rate over the day. Talk with your doctor about measuring your blood sugar. Ear problems also cause dizziness. So there isn't probably a bad problem, but it is important to get these things checked out so you can not worry or miss something that needs to be treated.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD