Hypothyroidism and vertigo etc.

[mkh9]

I'm new to this site. I originally went to my neurologist for migraines and was put on Topamax for vertigo. It has worked  At the same time I am perimenopausal and have become hypothyroid. My TSH was taken by my family practise doctor and the values have doubled every couple of months and are now at 8.25mcIU/mL reference range 0.358-3.800. He doesn't believe in doing the T3 and T4 and said that they are combined in the TSH value or something like that. In any case he doesn't like to run them. So he put me on 25 mg of Synthroid about a week ago and is going to test me every 6 weeks to see when I get to a normal range. I was tested for the Hasimotos antibodies and was negative. Throid peroxidase Ab 1.3IU/mL Reference 0.0-9.0
My symptoms are similar to the other person posting below:
Extreme fatigue
Dizziness (vertigo) where I am fine and just suddenly fall.
Dry eyes/mouth and nose (but I'm on meds that do this)
Constipation (this one is especially hard because I had colon cancer and only have 5 inches of colon left!)
Nails breaking
Head feels "foggy"  But I'm on Topamax also called Dopamax for being a dope.
I sleep quite well but I did have problems when I first started taking synthroid. Now I have no problem with it and I am tired day and night.

So, my questions are:
1. what causes middle age onset hypothyroidism?
2. The doctor mentioned that I should see a rheumatologist to look for autnimmune diseases despite my Hasimotos Ab. being negative. Does this have anything to do with the TSH? Or is he just thinking it may be related to my back problem. He thinks I have myofascial pain syndrome or maybe fibro.
3. My neurologist said that the vertigo I have may be migraine related but also may be thyroid related. So, does anyone have vertigo (not benign peroximal positional vertigo) this is where it comes on suddenly and you fall? I had my head MRI done to check for tumors on the inner ear and it is fine. Hearing is fine too.
Any other suggestions or comments? I know I may/should see an endocrinologist but it takes a long time to see one here.
thanks
mkh9

[goolarra]

The thyroid and the reproductive hormones are both part of the endocrine system, which is all interrelated.  A disturbance in any part of that system can cause a disturbance in another,  Sometimes, that's temporary and sometimes not.

[mkh9]

Does menopause bring on hypothyroidism?
mkh9?
Thx

[mkh9]

Thanks I'll read the book. My FSH is high but not high enough to be in menopause yet. I am taking a large dose of vitamin D as well. I am being monitored for this too as well as fish oil, mulitvitamin, magnesium and flaxseen oil, glucosamine and chondritin. But I may need a hormone adjustment too like you mentioned. I'm on several drugs for migraine because of the vertigo. My husband took melantonin but he said it isn't recommended for long term use because they don't know enough about what will occur. It did work for short term insomnia. For us it is best to force yourself not to take a nap. thanks for your help.
mkh9

[mkh9]

Thanks for your reply. I made a mistake and copied and pasted someones symptoms (I didn't have colon cancer!!!, duh) . But the other symptoms are the same.  No the doc didn't test for Tgab or TPOab either. I didn't have a ultrasound but I had a CT scan of the neck for another reason but I don't know for certain they looked at the thyroid. However they have the scan and can do so. I think that he is testing for other autoimmunes because of my back problem and maybe not the TSH. He didn't explain.  I'll look into getting more tests done. Thanks for your help. Why does the TSH go up at my age?
thanks,
mkh9

[goolarra]

1) Did your doctor also test TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies)?  if either TPOab or TGab is elevated, Hashi's can be indicated.  Also, a very small percentage of people with Hashi's test negative to both antibodies.  Did he order an ultrasound?

2) It has nothing to do with TSH.  I have no idea why, when you tested negative for TPOab, he would suggest testing for other autoimmunes.  Perhaps he has more test results that brought him to that conclusion???

3) FT3 and FT4 are never "redundant".  You simply cannot diagnose and medicate on TSH alone.  If I were you, I'd get a referral to someone who has a better understanding of thyroid, i.e. someone who tests more than TSH.  

[joeysmydog]

I would like to say that if your doctor doesn't test for T4 and T3 you need to immediatley find another doctor.  Please read Mary Shomon's book entitled: Living Well With Hypothyroidism, Revised 2nd Edition, and/or visit her website at: http://thyroid.about.com/bio/Mary-Shomon-350.htm

how are your other hormones looking? you might want to have all your female hormones checked as well.  I have hashimoto's and am also considered peri-menopausal. I take a ton of supplements the main ones being large doses of vitamin D in addition to a mulit vitamin, i take melatonin at night, OMega 3 fish oil, evening primrose oil, and my doctor put me on progestrone (10 days a month).  I also take royal maca with DIM. I was always a skeptic of supplements, but now i'm a true believer.  Good luck.