Hi I'm Tracy, I was put on Levothyroxine 25mg about 2 weeks ago. Not felt any improvement to the constant painful aching in my upper arms and thighs, and intermittent sharp pains. Also pins and needles in my lower arms and hands, as well in my lower legs and feet. I also get numbness in the areas of pins and needles. I find it difficult to lift things, Or even have my arms raised for the shortest time. I get a lot of headaches and just want to sleep all the time. Constantly get sore throats, and the feeling of it being burnt. I'm always thirsty although recently I have been drinking over 4 litres of water a day. My GP says my blood tests say I am showing signs of hypothyroidism and diabetes type 2 and I.B.S. I was told to virtually cut out carbs and dairy from my diet, which I have, but don't feel any better. I am also on antidepressants, iron tablets, calcium/vit D chewable tablets. I am also menopausal and go black cohosh. I am taking ibuprofen 400mg and paracetamol 500mg for the pain which isn't helping. I haven't seen the actual blood test results just been told the above.
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Hi and welcome to the forum! 25mcg is a starter dose so you might not feel any benefit straight away. The aim is to increase your dose by 25mcg every 6 weeks or so until you feel well.
It's very important to get hold of your blood test results, ask the doctors for a print out. There are so many knowledgeable people on here who will only be able to advise once they see your results. Get a full thyroid panel plus iron, folate, vit d and b12. Post lab ranges with them too.
You seem to get many of the symptoms I do when I'm underactive too and hopefully they will improve once your dose increases. Unfortunately it takes a while as you have to start low and take it steady! I often feel worse after a dose increase for 6 weeks and only then begin to settle.
If you live in the UK as far as I am aware you are entitled to a copy. I had no problem when I asked. Just post your results and the knowledgeable people on this site will help you.
Thank you
Why are you taking calcium? Did you test low for it? Calcium supplements are not really recommended. It's best to get it from food. Even if you cut out dairy, you can get plenty of calcium from other sources. It's a myth that dairy is the only source.
Did you have your vit D tested before starting supplements? If not, you should be tested now, to make sure you actually need it. And, if you do need to take it, you should be taking vit K2-MK7 with it. Taking vit D3, increases the absorption of calcium from food, and the K2 makes sure it goes into the bones and teeth, rather than the soft tissues. You really shouldn't be taking nutritional advice from a doctor, because doctors know nothing about it!
Some doctors are aware of nutrition but where should people get nutritional advice from? Anyone can set up as a nutritionist in this country (UK) and they don't even have to qualify so it's difficult to know where to get good advice from. Any suggestions Greygoose?
When you post your results don't forget the ranges as they differ from lab to lab. Without them we would be guessing.
Thyroid Uk run this forum and are recommended by NGS Choices so lots of good advice on there.
It's also a little soon to feel much improvement It takes about 5 weeks for the medication to build up each time you get a dose change so that's why it's suggested to retest after 6 but we have to start low for our bodies to get used to it and lesson the chances of rejection.
I am also getting pain in my left knee, especially when I bend it, i.e. when walking up and down stairs, is this normal with my other symptoms?
I also have a very swollen left leg directly above the ankle, difficult to describe properly.
I have also been getting dizzy spells is this connected.
Been told to cut out all carbs due to being slightly diabetic type2 is this of any help or hindrance to my hypothyroidism?