Tinnitus and Hypothyroid

[bentoboy]

Manny,
I have recently experienced three months of tinnitus. After seeing my regular doctor and then an ENT, I was told that there was no cure for it. Because of its rapid onset, I thought it was either because of a digital meter (Smart) that was placed on my home or because of a change in the outside environment. But after ruling those out with help from my friends who heard nothing either in or outside of my house, I did some online research and found out that there IS a link between hypothyroidism and tinnitus AND the kind of medication used. I have been on Levothyroxin for 5 years and have never had a problem with it. So I cold-turkeyed and the ringing continued. Yesterday I started on Armour and the ringing dropped by about half in the first 24 hours. I am hoping that I can get it to disappear completely in the next few days. I have no idea why one med stopped working one day out of the blue. It seems so arbitrary to me. But perhaps there is a medical explanation. So much of this is not researched and seems like a crap shoot, varying from individual to individual. So you have to EXPERIMENT to find out what works best for you. Good luck!


This discussion is related to Low Thyroid and Tinnitus?.

[Barb135]

A lot of people report tinnitus when they are hypo.  It's unlikely that your previous med "stopped working"; more likely that you needed an increase or that you needed to add a source of T3 to it.  Many report that when their thyroid levels are right for them, the tinnitus goes away.

Do you have recent lab results?  If so, please post them (TSH, FT3 and FT4, along with the reference ranges, since these vary from lab to lab, so must come from your own report.

There is a lot of research on all of this, but you are right - each of us is different, and will react differently to at treatment, so it does vary greatly from one person to another.  What's right for me, may not be right for you.  

[Brucergoldberg]

geez....  im the tinnitus king.   its more of a buzzing at this point....   looking forward to your labs.

[stella5349]

Im going to share an email with you on a local patient, I can across recently.

(private information held)

Going to our conversation about your issue with tinnitus. We certainly didn't have alot of time to discuss much on everything like injuries or surgeries per say, however this issue is commonly linked to little things - endo related - if found "correctly" - quite genetic really - and in alot of cases, fixed or decreased to extremely easier tolerable levels. Another important thing I do need to know to guide some things, is the age around you were when this really started to come to full focus? I don't want to bombard you with too many links if they don't apply and your age it started, medical issues, surgeries, any medications you take would be an added plus - to pinpoint where things are going wrong.

I also have/ had the issue, so a big part of my research with the endocrine system has alot of connections.

As promised to start off, here are general links, to make you familiar with a few "conditions" that bring this on. Knowing briefly your mothers condition with thyroid - I want you  to pay attention at the information here also.

http://brneurosci.org/tinnitus.html

Here is a check sheet of thyroid/adrenal distress  I want you to look to see if you fit any profile/symptoms:

Hyperthyroidism - http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/hyperchecklist.htm

Hypothyroidism - http://www.thyroid-guide.org/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-checklist.html

Italic is me adding in for you.

The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. It is found in the neck below the mouth. The thyroid controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins and how sensitive the body is to other hormones. Dysfunction of the thyroid leads to numerous problems including lowered energy levels, increased sensitivity to pain, weight gain, depression and tinnitus. Tinnitus is a very common effect of thyroid dysfunction.


We hear from many of the people with tinnitus who suffer from a thyroid dysfunction. Tinnitus will usually reduce or resolve once the underlying problem is addressed.



The thyroid gland controls metabolism by producing thyroid hormones, principally thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and affect the growth and function rate of many other systems in the body. The thyroid also produces the hormone calcitonin, which plays a role in calcium absorption. - Calcium is involved in tinnitus - linked on the Vit D3 panel.





The production of T3 and T4 is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced in the pituitary. The most common method today of determining thyroid dysfunction is the measurement of TSH.

Iodine - Iodine loading test and possible supplementation to balance the levels -  is an essential component of both T3 and T4.  - measured as blood lab ONLY based off the Free T3 and Free T4 labs and not TOTAL generalized medical tests. T3 contains three iodine molecules while T4 contains four molecules. The vast majority of thyroid hormone produced in the thyroid gland is thyroxine (T4) which is the least active of the two. Up to 80% of T4 is converted in the liver to produce T3, which is ten times more active. T3 direct hormone instability causing the tinnitus.





In thyroid disease + tinnitus = would link your Adrenal glands! -



Where the strong connection lies here is your work load, Paul.  In your cortisol levels involving the stress on the  ( adrenal glands) - adding in possible thyroid function is an issue that would certainly bring on something as undiagnosed commonly with adrenal fatigue and most critical Addisions or Cushings with the tinnitus involved as a "issue" or commonly symptom related to the underlying conditions above.



That's why I immediately suggested last night, a thorough look at certain things on a saliva panel ( test ) to pinpoint dysfunction better than blood spots or labs.



Lastly, Due to your gender and the conditions above, aging, and your work load - your testosterone - plus the above - would get thrown off.  The evidence of this twined is factual and I spent my last 8 years looking at the research. This article below is general but can give you direction on how everything is inter-twined. Don't overload your brain on everything. In the end of this email I am going to suggest a doctor that can probably put you back on the right track within 4 to 6 weeks - after certain tests are done. DHEA + testosterone.



http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153822.php



Let me give you a Leman term on this whole pile of hormonal stuff, like in  a mathematical problem so you get it simplified.



Starts here...



Immune system breakdown = liver slow-down. Liver = less production of T3/T4 thyroid atoms. Thyroid = abnormal cortisol + DHEA/testosterone = Immune system shut down more.... and the cycle continues making "symptoms" ( tinnitus and others) more visible. Prominent, Until the shut down happens.



Get it?



So simple self fixes (maybe) would be this.



Immune system rebuilding - concentrating on the high values of Vit D3 - Vit C - DHEA - possible Iodine, zinc and copper and magnesium to supplement to support the system to re balance. Impressing the GI track to stimulate going gluten free, and adding acidophillus to purify again.



Thyroid = =Iodine. - Need loading test to determine dosage and saliva labs to monitor w/ adrenal cortex/DHEA/thyroid/testosterone measured.



You can either get a saliva panel on your own at canaryclub.com or have this doctor run it. You will have to pay for the visit with her and most likely the saliva lab test kit too - most insurances do not cover the cost of these and ( doctor) has moved her practice to "Integrative" - so the insurance hoop-lah on  keeping patients sick - non-diagnosed, is not in her regular realm of services.





http://www.medhelp.org/personal_pages/my_home



Happy Holidays,



www.medhelp.org - Thyroid/ Adrenal / Bio Identical - Patient Advocate and Ambassador Community Leader

Coalition for Better Thyroid Care/ Facebook/Profile

Health Pages of Endocrine Disasters and Back to Wellness.  An Internet search for balance again.



"Feel good and symptom free - at any age, with the right information and care. "

[Brucergoldberg]

I hope im on the right track.  I ordered my test kit from canary club last week.  I guess it will be here in the next couple of days.  I also asked my dr. to draw a 15 point blood test from me.  I forgot to ask him for iron on there so ill probably go back tomorrow.

I know my vitamin D is low as some of the endocrines have told me so.  I will not know how low until i get my blood results back.  I went ahead and started taking some vitiman D, and some magnesium.

Am I on the correct path?  

Thank you,

Bruce

[stella5349]

I would say addressing the Vit D Bruce is needed . Where are your FT3 and FT4 levels at?

[cwtmichele]

I can't believe it. About 5 years ago I started to get constant ringing in my ears. I feel like I have to have background noise on all the time to make it fade to the background. Many times it makes me have a hard time sleeping. I have been diagnosed Hypo only 3 years now. Why do I have to read about a connection on a forum instead of getting good information from a doctor that I paid a LOT of money to? I feel the doctor I saw in Minnesota ran tests, collected payment and left me hangin in the breeze. When I went to see an ear, nose & throat doctor which I also paid for out of pocket they did a hearing test and told me this was just something I had to live with.

[Brucergoldberg]

Welcome to the world of endocrinology.   As I stated before I feel like I'm in some John grishim book.  Doctors lying, underground discussion boards, doctors dissapearing after treating patients, getting treated by text messaging strangers....adrenal spit tests......  Tom cruise would love this story

[kl42]

it's definitely connected to hypo!.(ringing in your ears)  i don't understand why doctors don't admit to it or recognize it. it goes lower and lower when your not as hypo. so it's connected, somehow. what they don't have scientific proof so they dismiss it. until one day a study appears  and then they suddenly believe it.   my ear doctors told me they don't know why ? if it's not physical. or as a result of long term damage loud noises, it's probable from something out of balance(thyroid hormone) but there is no test for it,

[Brucergoldberg]

I notice a connection between my waves of crap and the ear ringing.  Typically when I don't feel good the ringing is much louder.  I don't get the high pitch as much as the electric ringing anymore.  Either way they both are dumb.  This is like a curse...  

[kl42]

me too i can tell when the thyroid levels are probable low at that point in the day like late when my ears are ringing loud, then after dose in the morning nothing at all. i think it's all connected,,

[bonniehoelzer]

I've had a roaring in my right ear for YEARS.  I had all the test done and determined that it was the tiny nerves in the ear dieing off.  I do have some hearing loss in the right ear now.  For some reason the roaring is now gone.  But I want to share what helped me when I was suffering.  I found that taking Ginkgo Biloba daily kept the roaring much reduced that I could ignore it and not be distracted by it.  It takes about 10 days to 2 weeks before it makes a difference.  Depending on the strength, I might have to take 2 caps a day.  I was able to reduce to 1 cap a day and about every 3 or 4 days take an extra to titrate the dose.  When I ran out, I found that it would also take about 10 days for the roaring to return.

[flyingfool]

I've had ringing in my ears since I was a child.  I've always had  cold hands and feet.  In researching Hypo as my wife is Hypo I found these are common symptoms for Hypo.

I had a blood test.  Of course it was ONLY TSH and it came out I believe 1.16 well within range which I think is 0.5 to 2.5.  So my Dr. did NOTHING more.  At the time he wrote out the lab, I asked for free T3 and Free T4.  But he would not run it.

I have to go back to get my cholesterol check and I have since changed primary dare Dr.  I think I will call my new Dr and see if he could add the free T3 & FT4 to the cholesterol test.

I personally believe I am slightly hypo.  But not enough to make the TSH test indicative of that.  

It does seem like the ringing in my ears is getting a bit worse with age.

[kl42]

yes bruce its a symtom. treat your hypothyoidism, and you will see !!!

[Brucergoldberg]

If it's just the hypothyroidism causing me all this agony then how did I go from slightly tired to having to be sedated on a daily basis suddenly one day?

[Brucergoldberg]

How did I go from just being the sluggish to having life threatening symptoms?

[kl42]

untreated hypothyroidism.. you know the answers!1

[flyingfool]

Brucedog.

I know what you mean about the ringing in the ears getting worse/ louder when you don't feel well.

In fact I can predict I'm going to get really sick when I hear an increase in the ringing.  For me it is weird. But if I move my eyes to the extreme left or right fullest extent of movement (as if trying to look at my ears) and when I get to the far extent I hear an increase in the ringing,  I know I'm doomed to get a real butt kicking cold or flu.

Also Bruce I'm not sure why you are so reluctant to believe that hypothyroidism could cause the ringing and other symptoms.  The thyroid controls the metabolic rate of the entire body.  in essence it is the throttle for the body's engine.  And not just the heart, but all the millions of engines in the entire body.  All the parts and pieces that all need to be running in sync to feel your best.  The lack of proper thyroid can upset the entire balance between many, many different bodily functions having a domino effect.  Or at least can have.  Since each person is different and the effectiveness of the thyroid can change over time and the optimum levels each person needs vary,  the symptoms of each person also vary.  But many of the same symptoms apply.  And you have several of them.  You can keep your head in the sand or you can proactively attempt to get better.  And attempting to treat hypothyroid is one way you can attempt to do that.

Wouldn't you rather be taking cheap, generic thyroid meds or would you rather have to take sedation medication?

[Brucergoldberg]

I'm the same way with the ringing as well.   The louder the ringing, the crappier I feel.

I think what I'm searching for are the answers to 3 things  

1.  Why or how did I go from normal one day to barely able to function the next?

2.   Why do I wake up in the morning feeling okay but starting at 1 pm i fall apart?

3.  Why is it when I take thyroid can I not even function? I get so sick I can't even get out of bed?

[flyingfool]

1) I'm not real sure on this.  as it relates to thyroid.  I know some people with Hashimoto's can swing between being hyper and hypo.  But I'm not sure the swings are daily but more gradual.  But I'm not sure on this.

2) Fatigue is probably the number 1 symptom of low thyroid.  So it would make sense that if you are low (hypo) thyroid that you would run down as the day goes on.

3) I think ringing in the ears can be a symptom for both hypo AND Hyper.

Do you know for sure you are actually Hypo?  Otherwise it is possible that you are hyper and by taking more thyroid it is making you feel worse because you actually need less, not supplemented with more.

You may also want to take a look at your diet & environment.  Maybe you are having an allergic reaction to something or some foods.  Gluten for example.

[bentoboy]

What is the recommended T3 and T4 level for female, age 62?

Thank you!

[rydra_wong1]

I find that allergic rhinitis uses up zinc big time (75mg/day  to repair mucous membranes) and zinc is important for the thyroid (to prevent hypothyroid, although it is not the only necessary nutrient).  When I took zinc to make my allergies bearable (big relief of the allergies) it caused tinnitus.  The reason, I believe, if that I have already verified that my thyroid cannot turn off properly (which implicates a copper deficiency according to www.ithyroid.com) and so until my body is through rebuilding mucous membrane the zinc revs up my thyroid...but I did not take extra of any other nutrient necessary for the thyroid except copper, so I suspect I am short of something such as mB12, selenium, iodine, and/or copper and the tinnitus is caused by inability to fully make thyroid hormone.  This coincides with partial thyroid meds like T4 meds instead of full (T3) meds.  I do not know what else I am short of, I expect it to go away end of June.

[SusanDot]

Could you provide the direct link about thyroid not being able to turn off due to copper defiency please? You did not take extra of any other nutrient necessary for the thyroid EXCEPT copper? was this along with the zinc? How do you know that the copper isnt causing the tinnitus? Did it go away? I know this is old, but interesting to me and I need to know more. Tinnitus has ramped up lately. been taking Zinc, little iron and now copper for a long long time.

[SusanDot]

No copper for a long time

[rydra_wong1]

IMHO buzzing is caused by hyPERthyroid.  I had severe buzzing when I took Iodoral (12.5 mg iodine)/day.  When I stopped it immediately got less and went away in about 3 days.  I found by this that my thyroid is ubnable to turn off if enough nutrients are supplied to make thyroid hormone.  John Johnson links inability to turn off your thyroid to copper deficiency ay www.ithyroid.com

[rydra_wong1]

Yes, thyroid problems are linked to adrenal problems for me, as both occur during allergy season.  I find that DHEA hormone replacement takes care of the low blood sugar / adrenal issues that ensue.  I also take pregnenolone (to balance because it makes progesterone, whereas DHEA makes estrogen and testosterone), and a DIM+I3C broccoli supplement to help ward off cancer.  I also keep up my vitamin D, selenium, and iodine levels to ward off cancer (but only a very little iodine for me as my thyroid won't turn off if I get too much).

The thyroid reference range is NOt absed on science.  The labs just throw away the top and bottom 5% of the values they get (which are all from sick people), there is no screening healthy from sick people before making this bogus range.  Studies are showing any TSH 2.0 or above is hypothyroid!  See http://www.lef.org/protocols/appendix/blood_testing_01.htm

[rydra_wong1]

idk if this is thyroid (could be).  But I read one time that hearing loss is due to methylfolate deficiency (which you could have even if taking a B vitamin if you can't make methylfolate out of folic acid(due to lack of methyls or genetics).  Luckily for people like me (genetically can't) one can now buy methylfolate.