So sorry to hear of your issues!

In the 5+ years I've been participating on several thyroid forums, there have been many reports of the same issues.

Without a doubt, hypothyroidism can cause vertigo, dizziness and balance issues.

Unfortunately, symptoms can sometimes worsen during the meds titration process.

If a symptom is being caused by the thyroid, it will dissipate once levels have been optimized.

In the meantime, the best we can do is treat the symptoms.

Hope you feel better soon!

I too, get very lightheaded. Even when I'm sitting down and trying to focus on the tv, etc. I don't so much get a dizzy or a spinning sensation, but I do get a very off balance feeling allot. It is a hypo symptom, but my NP also told me it is a low cortisol issue too. Since he had me increase my cortisol supplement a few weeks back, the lightheadedness has been better, not 100%, but better.

Yes, I have experienced both problems. The Vertigo is very dibilitating when it happens. I take motion sickness pills so I can work and drive but it's very scary. I also tend to get light headed when I get up quickly from a sitting, bending, squatting position. I am sure I can use a slew of supplements and that my adrenals are severely compromised due to my high stress levels for the past 7 years but I can't afford any of that now. But, yes I suffer from both.

It is good to know that there is an actual reason for it. I seem to always get dismissed by doctors. I take antivert almost daily for it, and it does help, but it severely limits what I am comfortable doing every day....and greatly affects my job of teaching high school. I don't think I have ever had my cortisol levels checked. Is that something I should ask about?

I don't think MD's routinely consider checking cortisol levels. I've never had mine checked and my doctor...well any doctor I've ever had labs done through has never even mentioned it.

I meant to add that you should definitely ask. Please let use know what your doctor says.

The problem with cortisol levels, is that most conventional doctors only check for addison disease. For example my a.m. cortisol level should be about 18 or more, its was an 8 about 3 wks ago...meaning my adrenals are fried. But because it wasn't lower than 1, my endo #1, (who I fired months ago) said my adrenals were fine. It took me going to NP doctor to get this issue recognized.

I would get slightly light headed when my levels got lower.If my levels stay good or not in hypo range, i don't have this at all. It's lower levels I think.

I feel like I'm going to faint & light headedness all the time.
I also have a slightly abnormal blood count on my liver,which may be reason & a vit D deficiency which requires 200 units of vit D a day.Good luck with your light headedness & vertigo problems..
Vertigo is often a result of inner ear problems.

I am seeing an endo. at a teaching hospital in September. I haven't been happy with the one I saw in my area. I will def. mention the cortisol.

I also suffer from frequent bouts of dizziness/lightheadedness...and I had no idea that hypothyroid could be the cause. I am in the midst also of med titration, so am glad to know this could be the reason.

I hope you get to feeling better soon. Of course, if this persists, it's always a good idea to talk to your doc.

All the best to you.

My doctor is probably tired of this discussion about vertigo and lightheadedness. It has been so many years. In 2008 I had decompression surgery on my brain for a Chiari Malformation...the major symptom being vertigo, migraines, and being off balance. It helped by stopping the progression and preventing some paralysis that was sure to come, but I still have the vertigo.

This is SO weird that you wrote about this surgery you had. My daughter's sis in law was found to be hypo about 5 years ago. She had this same condition/ operation as well last year! Her main problem was terrible headaches when she coughed or sneezed. Now she is fine with that and takes Synthroid for her thyroid. My daughter's husband has had some bouts of dizzyness and I keep telling her to get his thyroid levels checked.He has gained weight, lost weight and has some other symptoms of a low thyroid. I think if your thyroid levels are out of whack this happens. I have read it too often so perhaps it IS your thyroid since you had that operation and you still feel dizzy. Thanks for sharing about the operation,there must be a link maybe to that and thyroid problems? I wonder now... I had NEVER heard of the condition my daughter's sis in law had and now you've had it too?

I don't think it is really common, but I do know of one other person who is an acquaintance who had it. Otherwise, no one I know had every heard of it. I got those sneezing headaches too....and climbing stairs gave me a throbbing headache at the base of my neck. I can't have massages or have chiropractic treatments that go anywhere above my back area because they are afraid of doing something to it that could cause the spinal fluid to stop flowing again.

No, I guess it is NOT common at all, that's why it struck me cause my daughter's sister in law had it done and she's also hypothyroid (Hashi's) Does your aqaintance suffer from thyroid disease too? Just curious..I hope you stay well now with the operation you had, my daughter's s-i-l is doing great now, no more debilitating headaches when she coughes or sneezes. One doc told her to take Robitussin and just bear with it! Some docs should give up practicing!