Can Hypothyroidism also cause balance problems?

[angeleyes1978]

Since feb of 2002 I've have been diagnosed as hypothyroid.  I've been on medication for quite some time and it's stabalized.  But I have also had balance problems since august of 2004 and the doctors and specialists have yet to discover what the diagnosis is.  I've seen countless neurologists, ent specialists, allergists, endocronologists and no one can find out what's causing these symptoms.  They thought is was MS but that has been ruled out too.  Even the Ent specialist has ruled out things like vertigo and inner ear disorders.  All my tests come out negetive.  It's very frustrating having the doctors look at me as if i'm making this up.  I even went to see a psychiatrist and he told me that I didn't fit the profile of someone who was psychosematic.  I"ve lost my job, my independance, as well as the chance to have a doctor take me seriously.  
My question is can being hypothyroid cause these symptoms?    I"m at a loss and really don't know where to turn anymore.  I always get the brush off and no one will take me seriously.  
I would appreicate any advice anyone can give me.  Thanks   Angeleyes....

[shelley368]

Hi guys I was recently diagnosed with an under active thyroid as well and the doctor put me on Synthroid too but she is very confused as to why I am so dizzy all the time, she told me that "medically speeking" it is not a symptom of thyroid disease but she said it is kind of weird that this happened around the same time as being diagnosed the doctor is sending me for an angiogram (which I am very nervous about) to see if there may be a blockage,it makes me feel a bit better to know that I am not alone out there thank you for sharing your stories I wish you all the best and will keep in touch as well

[catpal]

kitty,
I have the same off balance sensations, and was just recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism (after a year and a half of endless tests) ... although endo suspects this may be hashimoto's.  I would appreciate the links that you mentioned to learn more about the imbalance and dizziness that can accompany hypothyroidism.  It almost feels like I am walking on a marshmallow sometimes ... kind of a drunken sensation.  

Thank you.

[sick179]

I to am having major balance issues and have had a thyroidectomy 20 yrs ago. My lab tests supposedly are normal but after reserching the net I am hypothyroid. My TSH is 3.6 which is in the normal range although  25% of people show signs of hypothyroidism with TSH greater than 3. I have also had ear problems with hearing loss but knew it was not the ears that had thrown my balance. I too felt as though I was being pulled to the floor. I also felt panicky as felt I would pass out. It was a confusing time as am 53 and have just been through menopause although was still getting the odd peroid which is symptomatic of hypothyroidism.
I took it upon myself to increase Thyoxine tablets and am now thankfully back to normal. The Doctors rely totally on blood results and not hypothyroid symptoms. I was on such a low dose of Throxine (75mcg) it was obvious I was hypothyroid to me!!
I hope this helps you as it is really debilitating.

[gimel]

Just to throw in another possibility, it could be related to allergies.  I have found my self having balance issues due to the so-called "inner ear" being affected by allergic reactions, especially during the pollen season in the Spring and good old goldenrod and ragweed in the Fall.  I found that a good nasal spray like NasalCrom helped a lot.

[flyingfool]

I agree that Hypo can cause dizziness balance issues.

However.  another thing to consider.  I had dizzy feelings to and could not figure out what it was.  I would get a little worse each day in the early afternoon.  I finally traced it back to NutraSweet in Diet Coke that I was having every day at lunch.  At the same time I had some heart palps and I cut out Caffeine too.  

Long story short. When I cut out caffeine for the most part AND 100% of anything with NutraSweet and diet soda's as a rule,  My dizziness feelings went away.  Turns out I did some more research and one of the side effects to NutraSweet was dizziness.

So if you drink a lot of diet soda's or stuff with NutraSweet in it. You may want to cut that out and see if that helps.  For me it took a couple weeks.

All I know is since I've stopped, I've almost never had that light headed dizziness feeling for unknown reasons again.

Just a thought!

[corkysgirl80]

Thank you SO much for your comments. I have recently been diagnosed with a very small 'thing' in my left thyroid...too small for a biopsy and the Endocrinologist said to come back in 'six months' - however, I have severe balance problems, only when walking and I, too, am being "pulled to the left." I am also unusually tired from the time I wake up in the morning until I go to bed. I do not have insomnia and sleep well. I do have neuropathy (they say) and my feet up to my ankles feel as if they are wearing elastic stockings. I am not sure if this is related to the balance issue or not but now believe it is my thyroid, thanks to all of you. I have an appointment later this month (October) to see the Endocrinologist with this new information. Thank you again and again. I will keep in touch.
Donalie