Is vertigo correlated with thyroid nodules?

Posted by ekh3 @ekh3, Apr 5, 2023

I had a terrifying and debilitating episode of vertigo two months ago that got me hospitalized. Tests following that is where they found my thyroid nodule. I had said that the TR5 was more manageable for me to accept than the vertigo. Last night I had another episode of vertigo and it is still lingering. Is this related to thyroid? Anyone know? I've had several ct brain tests, ENT visits and evals, hearing tests, and apart from some fluid in temporal lobe which seemed of no concern to three specialists, they've found no reason for the vertigo. Anyone else with similar symptom? I can't live in fear of having these episodes. I'm carrying Meclizine wherever I go, but find I am hesitant to commit to things like cross-country flights and performances (I'm in the performing arts field).

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No how frightening vertigo can be have had it for some time due to Cervical Myelopathy (4 neck surgeries). I am 64 years old, have also had over 15 falls in under 3 years. Have you spoken to with a Neurosurgeon, to review your scans? I also have Follicular cancer, but the vertigo/falls started in 1999, mine are not due to my Thyroid, hope you get some answers.

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@hellmansmayo

No how frightening vertigo can be have had it for some time due to Cervical Myelopathy (4 neck surgeries). I am 64 years old, have also had over 15 falls in under 3 years. Have you spoken to with a Neurosurgeon, to review your scans? I also have Follicular cancer, but the vertigo/falls started in 1999, mine are not due to my Thyroid, hope you get some answers.

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Very helpful, thank you for sharing that. I was referred to ENT, but it is seeming more and more like I need to go to neuroscience.

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Have you had a blood test with a vitamin profile? An imbalance in some of the minerals might point to thyroid or parathyroid related issues.
I have had a history of balance issues however I don’t know if it has anything to do with my thyroid. Have you considered going to an ENT who specializes in balance issues? The balance function testing helped identify what triggered one of my balance issues ( it was triggered by my eyes looking downward and to the right). I went to vestibular therapy and it improved. They said it could have been a side effect of a recent whiplash or just a side effect after a bad sinus/ upper respiratory infection.
Definitely worth more investigation for peace of mind.
Good luck!

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@hellmansmayo

No how frightening vertigo can be have had it for some time due to Cervical Myelopathy (4 neck surgeries). I am 64 years old, have also had over 15 falls in under 3 years. Have you spoken to with a Neurosurgeon, to review your scans? I also have Follicular cancer, but the vertigo/falls started in 1999, mine are not due to my Thyroid, hope you get some answers.

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I worked with a woman who started having falls and seemed to have a sudden onset of dementia- like symptoms. She was Swedish and her doctor had read about a study on vitamin B issues associated with Swedes and tested her vitamin B levels. She had a dangerously low level of one of the b vitamins and started injections. She went from multiple falls, barely walking and not remembering us ( she worked with all of us) to being back to normal; and came back to work.
I figured I would pass this along in case it helps.
Good luck

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This is a wonderful story, very inspiring! I will happily get my Vitamin B levels checked.

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@koh

Have you had a blood test with a vitamin profile? An imbalance in some of the minerals might point to thyroid or parathyroid related issues.
I have had a history of balance issues however I don’t know if it has anything to do with my thyroid. Have you considered going to an ENT who specializes in balance issues? The balance function testing helped identify what triggered one of my balance issues ( it was triggered by my eyes looking downward and to the right). I went to vestibular therapy and it improved. They said it could have been a side effect of a recent whiplash or just a side effect after a bad sinus/ upper respiratory infection.
Definitely worth more investigation for peace of mind.
Good luck!

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Thank you! I did get a blood test and thyroid levels were normal. I do have a nodule that is TR5 on ultrasound (9 scary points) but benign on biopsies. I did see a chiropractor twice about 17 years ago and she dramatically 'adjusted' my neck saying it was backwards - it's never been the same since and I now have disc degeneration I think due to that. Brain CT and MRI showed some fluid in temporal lobe and I did see ENT who can't explain fluid, says may be from infection long ago that I have compensated for but now for some reason (menopause?) unable to compensate. I go in for a temporal bone CT scan tomorrow April 7. I'm pretty scared about living in fear of this vertigo arising. It's horrid. And I am concerned about Meclizine having read that it lower cognitive functioning. Anyone hear of that? Is that permanent? Or more like a temporary brain fog?

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Wow! Although you said your thyroid numbers were fine, a vitamin profile might show an imbalance of magnesium, a B vitamin, calcium, or one of the others that can influence balance….some are also related to parathyroid function. I always prefer to look to the blood work becuase the cure is manageable.Good luck!

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I currently have 2 sizeable TR4s on my right lobe (one around 1.5 cm, the other around 4.25 cm); I go in for my biopsy results today.

I started passing out a few months ago and my migraines have gone off the charts. (I've always had them with aura, and dizziness is my primary symptom.) The current prevailing theory from my doctors is that the nodules are putting significant pressure on nerves in the surrounding tissue, many of which are connected with brain function.

So, the thinking is that if I have them treated, the dizziness will likely resolve. (My migraines also got way worse for a few days following my biopsy a few weeks ago).

I've additionally read that nodules can interfere with various ear nose and throat functions, including issues like ear infections through various means (e.g. lymph inflammation, partially blocking nasal drainage, all sorts of weird stuff). It doesn't seem to happen to everyone; but it seems a certain portion of folks just are unlucky with how the nodules progress.

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I wish I found this a year and a half ago. I started experiencing vertigo a year and a half ago with no known cause. It was a sudden onset one morning as I was getting out of bed and only seemed to happen if I leaned or lay flat or on my right side. 3 neurologists and a year of physical therapy and tests to rule out crystals, BPPS and a host of other acronyms and no solution. The final neurologist said he believed that it was related to the goiter in my neck. So let’s back up. Spring 2019 they found a 4 cm goiter on my left side of my thyroid and a 1 cm in my right. Biopsies were called unremarkable however I’m in clinical pathology (lab) and took slides to my job and had my pathologist review. He said it was reactive and needed further studies. When I reported to my endocrinologist he said we’re going to monitor. Fast forward Covid happens the next year so no monitoring happens for 3 years. However when the vertigo started happening in early 2022, I had a CT scan of my head and neck and the “goiter” was 6cm (that’s a 2 cm growth in 3 years). Fast forward to Feb 2023 my PCM orders another ultrasound and it’s now 7+ cm. Biopsy is positive and in May they confirmed it was a variant of follicular carcinoma called Oncocytic or Hurthle cell cancer. So they decide to take it out. Still going through testing to determine whether it had metastasized. They failed to biopsy my lymph nodes during surgery so I’m scheduled to start radioactive iodine treatment with scan to see if/where it is in my body. I’ll repeat this every 6 months till it’s gone. So back to the vertigo. Surgery was Jun 16. 2 weeks ago I was able to resume laying flat and on my right with no elisodes! Morale of the story is: if ever they tell you something is so rare it’s probably not that, challenge them. I’m in healthcare and can advocate for myself but they didn’t listen till it was too late. They’re listening now.

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@armichic

I wish I found this a year and a half ago. I started experiencing vertigo a year and a half ago with no known cause. It was a sudden onset one morning as I was getting out of bed and only seemed to happen if I leaned or lay flat or on my right side. 3 neurologists and a year of physical therapy and tests to rule out crystals, BPPS and a host of other acronyms and no solution. The final neurologist said he believed that it was related to the goiter in my neck. So let’s back up. Spring 2019 they found a 4 cm goiter on my left side of my thyroid and a 1 cm in my right. Biopsies were called unremarkable however I’m in clinical pathology (lab) and took slides to my job and had my pathologist review. He said it was reactive and needed further studies. When I reported to my endocrinologist he said we’re going to monitor. Fast forward Covid happens the next year so no monitoring happens for 3 years. However when the vertigo started happening in early 2022, I had a CT scan of my head and neck and the “goiter” was 6cm (that’s a 2 cm growth in 3 years). Fast forward to Feb 2023 my PCM orders another ultrasound and it’s now 7+ cm. Biopsy is positive and in May they confirmed it was a variant of follicular carcinoma called Oncocytic or Hurthle cell cancer. So they decide to take it out. Still going through testing to determine whether it had metastasized. They failed to biopsy my lymph nodes during surgery so I’m scheduled to start radioactive iodine treatment with scan to see if/where it is in my body. I’ll repeat this every 6 months till it’s gone. So back to the vertigo. Surgery was Jun 16. 2 weeks ago I was able to resume laying flat and on my right with no elisodes! Morale of the story is: if ever they tell you something is so rare it’s probably not that, challenge them. I’m in healthcare and can advocate for myself but they didn’t listen till it was too late. They’re listening now.

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Hello,

How soon after your surgery did your vertigo resolve - was it 2 weeks? I've had it for 10 months and similar situation - they found a 4cm nodule on the left side. Had it removed yesterday but still very dizzy. Figured it may take some time.

Thank you.

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