Thyroid causing tinnitus?

I'm glad I found you guys!  I've had tinnitus all my life (I'm a 45 year old male) and have been able live with it.  Last Januaury 2008, all of a sudden the ringing level has been incredible.  It's effected my work, I can't sleep without and Ambien CR and I don't have energy to exercise anymore.  I've been to two ENT doctors and last Friday one doc told me my THS level was low at 1.74 (if I'm reading this blood test correctly).  He called his wife who is an endocrinologist and she said it's nothing to worry about.  After reading your discussion, I believe I DO need to worry about this!  I'm now going to investigate my thyroid to see if this is the cause of my recent severe Tinnitus.  Manny...like you I just started taking a multivitamin but I'm going to stop to see if that's added to the problem.  And...I also have significant hearing loss in my left ear.  (I know a Manny your age in St. Louis....that's not you is it?)  

My MRI conclusion was "Abnormal appearance of the left middle and inner ear structures raising the question of lateral semicircular canal vestibular dysplasia.  Other possibilities would include autoimmune labyrinthitus producing similar finding."

Thanks for sharing your experience and I'll also keep you updated.


This discussion is related to Low Thyroid and Tinnitus?.

[rkarencg]

I too have tinnitus and low thyroid.  There are times that the tinnitus is almost unbearable and it is all I can think about.   There are other times that I forget it's there or it reduces in its level and I don't hear it.  

I read someone say they stopped their caffeine.   I think I am going to try this also.   Taking the thyroid medications doesn't seem to help.  

You mentioned multivitamins, do they contain caffeine?  I am on a weight loss regimen and I am cutting out my bad carbs and exercising.  That is only helping me feel better about myself and getting in shape.  I don't think it is helping the tinnitus.

From what I have read there is no KNOWN cause for the tinnitus and therefore no known cure.   I really don't like having to "live with it" and would like it to go away.   It makes a peaceful evening very uncomfortable sometimes.  

Karen

[HyperT77]

Before being diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, my ears rang constantly.  Kept me awake.  My TSH levels were low, which means Hyperthyroid.  1.74 is low but within normal range (depending on the lab that runs the bloodwork).  

The ringing in the ears is better, but every time my Endo tweaks the Methimazole dose, the ears start ringing again.  Have read that thyroid disease can cause symptoms of tinnitus.  I agree, it's not fun:)