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....

[lovlirose]

Thank u for ur information. I forgot to mention my Free T4 is 1.07 on average range of .73 - 1.95 and TSH 0.8 average range 0.5 -4.7. Should I still investigate further. I just want to feel better and quit balding it on my mental state as they claim. Found no message

[lovlirose]

Thank u for ur information. I forgot to mention my Free T4 is 1.07 on average range of .73 - 1.95 and TSH 0.8 average range 0.5 -4.7. Should I still investigate further. I just want to feel better and quit balding it on my mental state as they claim.

[lovlirose]

Thank u for ur information. I forgot to mention my Free T4 is 1.07 on average range of .73 - 1.95 and TSH 0.8 average range 0.5 -4.7. Should I still investigate further. I just want to feel better and quit balding it on my mental state as they claim.

[gimel]

Just to add to the good info from Robbie, if TSH is the only test done for you, then you obviously need further tests done.  Specifically you need to test for Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3).   Also would be good to know Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.   Symptom relief should be all important for you, not just test results.  Your doctor is no doubt convinced that your TSH assures that you don't have hypothyroidism; however, he is overlooking the possibility of central hypothyroidism, with which  there is a dysfunction in the  hypothalamus/pituitary system which results in lower than needed TSH levels, and accompanying levels of Free T4 and Free T3 that are low enough to slow down body functions.  

So you do need a good thyroid doctor, which does not automatically mean an Endo.  I am sending you a PM with doctor info for your consideration.  To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page, click on messages.  

[Robbie0710]

Just gotta add that my doctor listed several of those symptoms shared by Gimel as my reason for having to have been out of work for most of the summer!  And he always, always, checks the fluid in my ears!

[spaglialunga]

where is this doctor located? my doctor only tests TSH and i have been having this off balance feeling on and off again for years....right now its terrible! and she says its not related

[gimel]

That doctor was located in Atlanta, so would not be anywhere you.   I have several sources that I use to try and locate good thyroid doctors for members, but I cannot come up with one anywhere near your area.    The best suggestion I have for you is to use the following link and read at least the first two pages and more if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended.  The more you know about diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism the more successful you will be in getting a doctor to do the right tests and diagnose and treat you clinically, rather than just based on TSH, which doesn't work.  

http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf

After you know enough to become you own best advocate, you can give a copy of the paper to your doctor and ask him to review and consider expanding your testing and treat you clinically, rather than just based on TSH.  If the doctor will take some time and read the info he will not be able to refute what is recommended, and maybe that could help you get what you need.  

Also, do you have any symptoms other than the balance issue?   Do you think you could get your doctor to test for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3?

[spaglialunga]

ive been having racing heart but thats usually from being hyper or so i thought. i think that is occurring now because i am dehydrated and having a hard time eating because of loss of appetite.
i never had any symptoms other than being really skinny until my doctor scared me into the RAI treatment when i was 16. i really haven't had too many problems since then, that i know of, other than these dizziness issues...ive gotten them twice in the last 2 years and both times seem to have been when my doctor increased the levo to 125mcg and i even told my endo this before she prescribed that dose because it was my family doctor who prescribed it the first time. and they last for MONTHS. i missed thanksgiving and christmas because of this...granted at that point is was way worse like couldnt even get out of bed and to the ER twice in a week because of severe dehydration.

[gimel]

Are you taking the 125 mcg of T4 now?  Do you think you could get your doctor to test for Free T4, Free T3, cortisol, Vitamin D and ferritin?  

[Robbie0710]

Just wanted to share this bit of information...In May I was put off of work by my primary care Doctor due to, what I later discovered on my own, being hypothyroid.  I've since changed Doctors and needed to have my current Doctor, who is and endocrinologist/internal medicine, resubmit my paperwork stating that I could return to work.  Guess what he put on the paperwork as to why I needed to be off - he stated that I had been suffering moderately severe hypothyroidism that caused me to be dizzy, among other symptoms!  He also stated that I may have occassionaly flare ups that would require me to be off from work occassionally but as we work towards optimal treatements these flare ups would be minimal.  My Doctor and I discussed my equilibrium being off and he said this does happen to some patients whose thyroids are out of balance!  What's most interesting about my current doctor (he's my third endocrinologist) is that he won't allow patients to take their blood tests prior to your appointment.  He takes them the day off and as his office is affiliated with the hospital he gets the tests back within 24 hours.  When I asked him why I couldn't come in a week prior to give my blood he stated because he was more interested in how I was feeling over my blood work (music to my ears)!  He does test Free T3 and Free T4 and TSH.  I was concerned about his watching the TSH until he explained what he was leaning towards for my next course of therapy and didn't even mention the TSH.  He said he was watching myFree T4 and T3.  Since he had a baseline for the Free T3 and T4
established at my last appointment a month ago he wanted to see if my Free T4 was still at the top of the range mine tested at 1.76 and the top is1.77 and confirm that my Free T3 was still in the middle of the range.  If that's the case then he will be dropping my levothyroxine and adding in cytomel.  If T4 is down and T3 is tracking upwards then we will stay the course on the levothyroxine for now.  If it hadn't been for the great people on this forum I would have most probably stayed with a doctor who just told me my TSH is "within range".  This doctor is the 5th I've worked with and seems to be one who really gets it so please, please keep looking.  There are doctors out there that seem to be really listening to patients and watching and learning from patient feedback on boards like this one.