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Is Vertigo Related To Thyroid?
I ve had vertigo off and on for 30 years, but it has become severe in the last 3 years - daily episodes from very mild to very severe and debilitating. Within the last month, I am now unable to lay in a bed to sleep at night because the vertigo is so severe when I lay down. When it began occuring every day 3 years ago, I also could not tip my head backwards or look up at anything. I am on the lowest dose of thyroid meds and have been for about 15 years. Is there a connection between vertigo and the thyroid and, if so, how can I find out what to do to see if there is a way to help and even eliminate the vertigo? We also became vegan 5 years ago, but I take a B-12 supplement every day, so I m also wondering if there is a connection to that. Thanks.
Fri, 17 Jan 2020
Hi,
There can be a connection between just about anything and thyroid. Graves disease which is HYPER-thyroid is associated with deposition of a non-specific protein in various places and could theoretically gunk up vestibular nerves. For that matter, hypothyroid might cause ear wax build up. Regardless, there is a chain of effects and each piece of the chain could be found. Looking in the ears for a problem, verification that it is vertigo and not low blood pressure or other cause by a simple physical. Then more complicated vestibular tests to see where the exact area the vertigo is coming from and radiological exams to see if the spot has a problem. This is just some general ideas.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
There can be a connection between just about anything and thyroid. Graves disease which is HYPER-thyroid is associated with deposition of a non-specific protein in various places and could theoretically gunk up vestibular nerves. For that matter, hypothyroid might cause ear wax build up. Regardless, there is a chain of effects and each piece of the chain could be found. Looking in the ears for a problem, verification that it is vertigo and not low blood pressure or other cause by a simple physical. Then more complicated vestibular tests to see where the exact area the vertigo is coming from and radiological exams to see if the spot has a problem. This is just some general ideas.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Matt Wachsman, Addiction Medicine Specialist
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