[scanders]

#1060637

Does anyone know if there’s any connection between Graves disease and tinnitus? I’ve had tinnitus increasing in frequency and intensity, now pretty constant. Ironically, looking back, it seems to coincide with the onset of Graves symtpoms. And now sometimes I have a hard time hearing over the ringing. I may have some hearing loss. My GP said she’s read it may be related to thyroid disorders, and perhaps it will resolve when Graves stabilizes. I will be following up with audiology and ENT next week, and have an email question out to my endo. I seriously hadn’t considered that the two could be related, and of course, it’s possible that it’s totally coincidental. (Good grief, now I can see straight for the most part, but I can’t hear…:rolleyes:)

[flora]

#1183829

Hi scanders,
While not something I’ve run into yet, I have seen this on the forum – try “Search Posts” and you’ll find some posts on it … hope it resolves for you soon!
-flora

[barbra]

#1183830

Hi scanders,

I have had tinnitus since before Graves, although I probably had undiagnosed thyroid disease for a while, so it’s very possible that there is a relationship between the two. I used to have severe migraines at least once a week, which have now disappeared since my RAI and treatment with Synthroid. One day the migraines abated but the tinnitus stayed. I have had normal hormone levels since March of last year but, sadly, the tinnitus has continued.
My personal opinion is that both the migraines and the tinnitus are related to hormone levels. Although, when it comes down between the two, I’ll take the tinnitus any time, as utterly annoying as it is. I have learned to live with it since nobody seems to know how to get rid of it.
I know this doesn’t make you feel any better but you can always hope that I’m wrong or your case is different from mine.

Wishing you the best.
Hugs.

Barbra.

[scanders]

#1183831

Thanks. My guess is that it’s a separate issue, although the timing is pretty coincidental with the onset of graves. It’s just gotten so much worse lately. Endo says it’s possibly related, but not likely. (Oddly, my ears ring louder with hot flashes. Some weird hormonal connection, or I’ve totally gone off the rails! LOL!) Anyway, I’ve read that tinnitus is difficult to treat, most likely will be with me forever, and most often comes with hearing loss. So while I’ll continue to hope it might be related to Graves and will go away when I’m in remission, although my levels have been pretty stable the last few months, except for TSH; my next best resolution is to at least have the intensity/loudness damp down a bit. I guess I’ll just wait for the audiology/ENT appointment next week to learn more. No use over-stressing about this.

[Kimberly]

#1183832

Hello – As your doctor mentioned, I’ve also read that there is a link between tinnitus and thyroid dysfunction. Hopefully, this next appointment will shed some additional light…please keep us posted!

[Liz1967]

#1183833

I get tinnitus with ibuprofen, aspirin, antihistamines and anti anxiety meds. Lots of drugs can cause it. Seems to last a bit even after you stop the drug. It is annoying. There are also supplements that can cause it. Would be nice if it were something fixable like that. Hope you get some answers.

[scanders]

#1183834

I ended up on this crazy ear ride because my ophthalmologist suggested a daily anti-inflammatory like aspirin as he thought there was some inflammation from the eye disease. I realized that the tinnitus had become constant, and before starting to take the aspirin thought I should check with my GP to see if even in small doses it could make the tinnitus worse. She had to see me, since apparently I’d failed to mention in the past that I had tinnitus at all. She then sent me to the audiology/ENT appointment. ENT said try the aspirin and see what happens as far as the ringing. Meanwhile, the original issue of increasing eye symptoms, improved. So, no aspirin, after all that. I do have some hearing loss now that they’ll watch, along with the tinnitus. They may do an MRI, but really aren’t exploring any auto immune connection, but I have to wonder. However, it’s entirely possible that symptoms were present pre-Graves and I just didn’t notice. (I doubt it, but it’s possible…)

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