Off balance

[Laurie423]

Hi, this morning I woke up feeling off balanced and somewhat light headed. I stood up to walk & stumbled to the side. The only medical problem I have to my knowledge is a Hypothyroid. I was diagnosed with this condition approximately 7 years ago. My doctor prescribed 30mg Armour Thyroid which I haven't taken in almost a year. I haven't been feeling tired which is a symptom associated with having an uderactive thyroid. 7 years ago I felt REALLY TIRED even after sleeping 5,6,7,or 8 hours . Now I dont have that problem. But for some strange reason this morning, when I sat up in my bed, I noticed something wasnt right. So I slowly got out of bed & stumbled to the side when I tried walking.  I drink plenty of water everyday so I doubt this could be dehydration. What is causing me to feel this way and Should I go to the ER immediately?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Your symptoms could be due to postural hypotension, a condition in which the peripheral arteries dilate, leading to pooling of blood in the peripheries. This in effect causes decreased circulation of blood resulting in dizziness/lightheadedness. This is more pronounced if the person stands up from a lying down position. This is detected by recording the blood pressure recordings in the sitting, standing and lying down positions. If the variations in blood pressure recordings are more than 10 mmHg, it is diagnosed as postural hypotension/Orthostatic Hypotension.

Please don't venture to discontinue your thyroid medications abruptly, consult your doctor to reassess the thyroid status and dizziness.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[Londres70]

I would recommend you getting to the ER if you haven't already.