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What Causes Dizziness, Weakness And Urinary Retention While On Cipro And Synthyroxine?

Posted on Mon, 2 May 2016

Question: Since last fall I have had 5 infections. Each time I have been on Cipro 500mg BID. Sept. my lymph nodes under my right arm all swelled up. The next two times I had a tooth extraction and got an infection from each extraction. Then I had two sinus infections. My sinuses had been bothering since this fall so I not sure how long I had the infection. This last time I ask the Dr. to help me figure out what was going on. they did some lab work and said I had low thyroid. they put me on Synthyroxin 88MCG. I have asked for the labs Thursday but I feel like there is a great deal of resistance. At the first and second dose of the Synthyroxin, I felt good. Today I feel terrible. I am really dizzy, weak, can't pee but dribbles, I have a h/a and it feels foggy and my sinuses are hurting again. What going on? I stopped the Cipro and the Synthyroxin.
I rarely have an infection so this has been a bad fall.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Thyroid

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note how you feel.

If your TSH at the initial stage ie before synthroid was started was abnormally high, especially with positive thyroid autoantibody test results then it is quite likely you have a permanently irreversible under-active thyroid.

In this case it is not a good idea to discontinue synthroid. Although if the TSH was was not significantly raised such as only between 5 to 10 then a case can be made to only monitor it and defer treatment with synthroid.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
Calcium
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH
Free T4
Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies
Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (14 hours later)

could Cipro or any of the medication I mention affect my thyroid? I been on Cipro off and on since Sept. thanks for your help. I will try and get the local Dr. help with these test. If not I will go out of town. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
To my knowledge, there is no established connection between ciprofloxacin and thyroid medicine or thyroid status

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar