Thyroxine and joint pain. I've heard that certain brands of thyroxine might be more likely to make joints ache. Is there a certain brand

[Val-55]

That could be better to ask the Dr to prescribe is it Eltroxin ?.I have recently increased my dose from 50 to 75 as my TSH went up to 3.8 and I had bad pains and hip bursa also my fingers are really painful,with trigger finger in 2 fingers. On increasing to 75. I went slightly over, 0.24 with a range of 0.26 to 4. The Dr said to alternate.I feel better as when I was slightly over I felt wired and very itchy,but my joints felt great !!!! now fingers bad again.I have been tested for rheumatoid and told ok.Any thoughts would be appreciated.Thanks Val

[ladyt62]

get your doctor to check u for fibromalgia one can lead to other i no ive got both u sure sound like it there r many symtons for it

[PinkNinja]

You sound just like me! My joints felt almost immediately better on reducing my thyroxine but unfortunately my other symptoms returned. It didn't matter which brand I took.

I switched to natural dessicated pig thyroid and found that I didn't get the joint pain and generally felt better. Unfortunately to get rid of my hypo symptoms completely I needed to increase to a point where I was getting my 'too much T4' joint pain again. I have had to reduce my NDT slightly and add in some liothyronine. The joint pain has reduced again. I still have some joint pain and suspect I have something else going on there. I was also tested for RA and lupus but was told that just because it is negative doesn't mean I don't have either. They will test again periodically. Some people with autoimmune thyroid disease tend to be prone to other autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anaemia and RA, to name but two.

There is evidence that show that a build up of T4 can cause pseudo-gout. The crystals are different from gout crystals and can be caused by too little T4 or too much for the body to handle. If the joint pain is relieved by reducing your T4, this could be the problem. I can't find the paper at the moment but will keep trying.

The bottom line is that you might be better with an alternative thyroid hormone replacement therapy such as liothyronine, liothyronine/thyroxine combination or Armour. You may have a battle on your hands getting this treatment though as many doctors don't believe they are necessary (they are also much more expensive than the £1 a month that thyroxine costs!)

I hope that helps

Carolyn x

[Val-55 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks for your reply ,I will speak to the Dr about possibly changing from Thyroxine .

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

There is no point in getting a doctor to prescribe the branded Eltroxin. There has been an ongoing shortage for many months now:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/news.h...

Anyway, according to Mercury Pharma, there is no difference between Eltroxin and the unbranded Mercury Levothyroxine product other than packaging.

Some people do feel there is a difference between this product and the levothyroxine made for Actavis and Wockhardt. See:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

If you wish a particular product it is likely far better to ask your local pharmacies and come to an agreement with one about which they will dispense for you. Once it is written on a prescription you end up with difficulties should it not be available for any reason.

Rod