Can high thyroid antibodies cause constant dizziness and head pressure?

[twintwo]

I have seen many doctors - ER docs, a cardiologist, EN&T, neurologist, ophthalmologist, obgyn, and PCP.  The last 6 months have been a nightmare.

My thyroid levels are in the range of normal TSH - 2.762, T4 - 1.28, T3 - 3.4, but my Anti Thyroglobn is 45.1 (should be between 0.0 and 40.0) my TPO Auto Ab - (antibodies) are 2332.0 yes - in the thousands range -  should be between 0.0 - 35.0.  I believe this means my immune system is attacking and trying to kill off my Thyroid?  I'm on low doses of Thyroid hormone 5 mcg of Cytomel and 25 mcg of Synthroid.  Since my TSH, T3, T4 are within normal range my PCP does not want me to get too much and go Hyperthyroid.  Hopefully this added Thyroid hormone treatment will help lower the antibodies.  I go in for more blood draws tomorrow and see her again on Monday to go over test results.  Thyroid problems affect everyone in my family, my mom had the right side of hers removed, my younger sister had Graves disease and had her thyroid irradiated, my ID twin sister was on Synthroid for two years almost 25 years ago, but has not been on Thyroid hormone for more than 23 years as they say her levels are within normal range - (she's getting hers checked again) my younger brother was just diagnosed with being hypothyroid.  It been 3 weeks since being on hormones and I'm feeling more ache and odd burning sensation in my neck area - very noticable.  I've had an enlarged thyroid with many lumps/goiters for more than 15 years but have not been on hormones before now, should I see and endrocrynologist - can high antibodies mean thyroid cancer?

I saw an EN&T in January to have hearing tests - I've had tinnitus in my left ear for more than 3 years and since Sept. 07, a constant weird vertigo that makes me feel as if I'm tilting tipping dipping lifting and now this ever present head/ear pressure. His tests showed I have no hearing loss which is usually the case with Meniere's, but that doesn't rule it out as a diagnosis according to the EN&T.  The full vestibular assessment test at the U of W I'll have done on March 20th will determine if or if not my inner ear is causing the balance problems.  The dizziness and head pressure has had me so scared, because I feel so awful, and have felt like I was near death.  I went to the ER back in mid Nov. because I thought I was having a stroke or heart attack.  That's how the vertigo diagnosis was determined.  Unfortunately it's not the spinning with nausea vertigo that goes away in a few hours or days but the type of vertigo that makes me feel like I'm dipping / lifting, tilting / tipping - ALL DAY LONG.  I don't feel like I'm going to fall over, and I feel it less when I'm active.  Walking really fast helps, but when I slow down or stop - oh boy do I feel it so much stronger.  Sitting at a computer for a long length of time is almost unbearable.  I have to get up often and move around a bit and I have been doing so writing this email to you.  Driving is not too bad, it's just when I come to a stop I feel the dizziness converge.  Go figure.....

On top of all this I'm pre-menopausal - just turned 50.  I had gone several months without my cycle and was counting the months to total a year without a period, but my cycle kicked back in on Feb 14th.  My previous period was in early Nov.  Three weeks ago my vitamin D3 levels were tested at 15.1 and they shouldn't be lower than 32.0 and for optimal health closer to 100.0.  So I'm on mega doses of Vitamin D.  50,000 IU every 3.5 days for two weeks and then 50,000 IU every 7 days for two more weeks.  Thank God I can take that amount of D with one pill (by prescription) and not have to take 50 - 1000 IU pills in one day!  Barf!  My thyroid issues have severely depleted my calcium levels in my bones.   My N - telo/Creat Ratio, Ur H is 79 and should not be greater than 38, so this mega dose of vitamin D and taking calcium citrate along with potassium/magnesium may get me going in the right direction.

I've been trying to keep my sodium intake between >300 mg and <1000 mg, as my EN&T doctor said sodium aggravates Meniere's and suggested until we reach a diagnosis to reduce my salt intake as it might help relieve the dizziness / head pressure symptoms.

I'm desperate to feel better and very frightened.  When I was in the ER in Nov, they did a chest x-ray, EKG and CT scan of my head, a neurologist checked that CT scan from Nov and said she saw nothing and didn't see a need for an MRI.  I'm so afraid of this balance issue and head pressure, I want her to reconsider the MRI.  A coworker suggested I may have a sinus infection?  I've not had a runny or plugged up nose.................the EN&T never suggested that route.........

Grateful for any insight you may offer  :)

[Smb2321]

Wow! I feel so at home reading all of your posts.  I feel the same way all the time, and have felt this badly for three years.  Two thryoid goiters were discovered and biopsied four years ago.  My regular doctor put me on Synthroid to keep the goiters from growing.  I take the lowest dose possible of Synthroid.  Three years ago, I went to the emergency room because I thought I was dying.  I felt so badly. I felt dizzy, unbalanced and just really weird.  Of course, when I got there, they found nothing wrong.  I have been to so many doctors in the past three years.  They all just shake their head and wonder why I feel so badly.  My thryoid blook work is always in the normal range.  I have had sleep studies, heart stress tests..etc..nothing.  I believe that the Synthroid may be causing me to go from hyper to hypo thyroid ,  Please tell me how you feel when you are either hypo or hyper.  I am constantly fatigued, dizzy, feel faint, feel unrefreshed in the morning after what seems like a good night's sleep, moody, irritable...etc..I need to figure out was is wrong and change this situation once and for all.  I believe that my thryoid goiter is making it difficult to breathe, too. It is rather large and right in the middle of my throat.  I need help!!

[nikkisixx2]

I was diagnosed with a goiter and my thyroid levels are within normal range. I have felt dizzy, tired, and I just can't seem to think clearly. I added some iodized salt to my diet over the past two weeks and for the first time in a year I feel normal. The dizziness is gone. I hope this helps.

[bpalmer]

well i am a 38 year old male and have been suffering all these symptoms you ladies have described since 2007 and have been rounds with doctors and specialists whom all couldnt figure anything out and no one thought to send me to an endricronoligist although recently i had sever shoulder pain and went to me general whom sent me to the ortho surgeon who took xrays and saw calcium on my brain with concern he called for an MRI. MRI came back and showed a rathke tumor on my pituitary gland pushing it asside causing my LH and FSH hormones to be low along with my migraines and constant vertigo. I was referred to an endricronologist and found this out after blood work. I have trouble trying to lose weight over the past years didnt know about the other ones he didnt say so i will check the paperwork. He also started treating me with Tesosterone and Vitamin D since level was 14.1 so i am taking 50,000 units per week. He hasnt started treating my thyroid although i have rapid arthritis occuring causing havoc in my joints, both knees, both hips, both shoulders except one just got repaired and mild in both ankles. Remember im only 38. Apparently Rathke cyst tumors are very commen especially in women. IDK why God blessed me with the opportunity to experiences this but its traumatic and knowing their are others also experiencing this makes it more traumatic yet less insane since i have been searching and hunting for reasoning for all the other symptoms now it all makes better sense. God bless each and everyone one of you and i pray you get healed quickly and rediscover living when you get through this difficult endeavor. I am looking forward to reversing and resolving this aweful feeling. If i didnt have a beautiful wife and two wonderfol sons i wouldve checked out months ago. Being strong is hard to do and losing the ability to perform as a career musician is heartbreaking and traumatic at least. I am being extremely proactive with my dr.s and not missing any appts. and scheduling them as soon as possible from one doctor to an other. I am seeing a rhumatoid specialist and ENT for swallowing issues as well. I am getting treatment for each issue separtely and hoping when they remove this thing from my brain i will be back to normal at least mostly is all i hope for. My good friend told me i wouldnt be me if i were normal. Guess thats a good friend! I wish you all well and God Bless!

[amf88]

Well I am a 35  year old female.  I have not felt like myself since February.  I started with nausea.  They took my gallbladder out.  The nausea continued after the removal although it is not everyday now.  I am constantly fatigued and have a weird head sensation.  It is very hard to describe, almost a lightheadedness that lasts all day.  I have had a cat scan with and without contrast and it came out clear.  I am now seeing an endocronologist.  I only have half a thyroid due to a goiter my other half was removed.  I have never had a problem with any of my levels.  They took 8 tubes of blood and an ultrasound of my thyroid.  I now have 3 costs and 2 masses on the half that I still have.  I go in next week to discuss results and possible diagnosis.  Just want to feel like myself again.  Want this weird head feeling and fatigue to go away.  Any ideas?

[mrmumbels]

Do any of you have tracking issues with your eyes? Trouble focusing on moving objects or if you're the one moving? I've been on synthroid for 2 years and always thought I had vertigo but recently realized it was a tracking issue.

[gimel]

Could be that you are not taking enough Synthroid.  Or maybe your body is not converting the T4 to T3 adequately.   The best way to assess your status is by testing the levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, and comparing results to their reference ranges.  

If you will post your thyroid test results and reference ranges, then members will be glad to help interpret your status and advise further.